Kristen Nevious, Ph.D., Director of the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication, framed the mission of the Fitzwater center: to engage intellects, challenge perspectives, teach skills, and help people find their voices in the public discourse that is essential to the health of our democracy.
Since 2004, Dr. Nevious has established numerous initiatives and programs that give students access to leaders in political and media fields, and hands-on opportunities to help shape the public discourse. These include the Pierce Media Group, PoliticsFitzU, Fitzwater Honors and Medallions, Pizza & Politics, Presidency and the Press, the Fry Lectures, and Franklin Pierce University Polling.
During the 2020 election cycle, Dr. Nevious has expanded the nationally recognized Franklin Pierce University Polling operation to include media partners The Boston Herald and NBC10/Telemundo/NECN, providing highly visible opportunities for students and faculty to participate in analysis and coverage of poll results. Students have hosted candidates from both parties at Pizza & Politics events, covered the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary events as reporters, videographers, photographers, and provided studio production services for events including candidate meetings and the New Hampshire Primary Mock Election.
As a member of New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA), Dr. Nevious has promoted the participation of students by facilitating free annual conference registration and a free year of membership for new college graduates. Because of her efforts, Communication faculty at Franklin Pierce participate in a Conference Panel Presentation on Sports Media and Journalism.