From the Nominator

This story was developed as an integrated campaign to show prospective law students—and the broader community—what truly sets the Florida State University College of Law apart: Its people. Our goal was to capture an authentic student relationship and use it to demonstrate how our culture of support directly enhances student success, well being, and long-term professional growth. At the center of the campaign was the organic relationship and mentorship between 1L Nate Birdsong and 3L Andrew Barrineau, who both shared a similar experience: Being accepted late to their top-choice law school and needing to move. By highlighting their story, we showed how intentional peer support and a collaborative environment translate into meaningful academic guidance, personal encouragement, and professional confidence. In a rigorous academic setting, that sense of belonging and peer connection still matters. We paired this with our No. 4 national ranking for Best Student Quality of Life. Rather than making abstract claims about community, we allowed one genuine relationship to illustrate the broader culture—reinforced by national recognition. The campaign was shared across our website, the university’s main news platform, newsletters, and social media, generating strong engagement and prompting students, faculty, and staff to share their own mentorship experiences. What makes this entry distinctive is its simplicity and authenticity. With no major financial investment, we elevated real voices to tell a larger story about resilience, connection, and preparation for the profession—strengthening recruitment messaging while reinforcing our institutional identity.

From the Judges

A simple, clear, and admirable goal for the campaign and leveraging an existing strength is smart. We also liked the idea of amplifying a peer-to-peer conversation.