UNC alumna builds storytelling skills with online graduate certificate program
UNC Hussman’s online graduate certificate programs offer communications professionals a flexible way to sharpen skills, explore new areas and grow their careers. Whether they’re seasoned strategists, creative storytellers or aspiring media leaders, students are finding value in these three-course programs that blend academic rigor with real-world relevance.
In this series, meet three professionals — Victoria Bliss, Meg Kinnard and Madeline Pace Miller — each pursuing a different certificate in Digital Storytelling, Digital Communication Strategy or Digital Media Management.
Victoria Bliss first learned of UNC Hussman’s online graduate programs at a marketing conference in Charlotte shortly after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill. She stopped by a table promoting the program and thought, “That’s kind of interesting.”
Six years later, Bliss is the social media adviser for student-generated content at NC State University, enhancing student presence across digital platforms. However, even with years of hands-on experience in the field, she felt a gap in her formal training.
“I work in communications but have no academic background in communications,” said Bliss, who majored in exercise and sports science and minored in entrepreneurship through Carolina’s Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship. “The certificate felt like a manageable way to test whether I wanted to go back to school.”
When the UNC Hussman online graduate certificate programs relaunched in January 2025, she saw an opportunity to explore a side of communications she had not formally studied.
“I wanted writing, journalism, storytelling,” she said. “I have so much experience in digital strategy and management, but I wanted to build on the other side.”
Her decision to go back to school was also made easier by the UNC System’s tuition waiver program for employees, which allows staff to take courses at participating institutions at reduced or no cost. “It’s a great benefit,” she said. “I think everyone should try to utilize it.”
Inside the certificate program
The first class that Bliss took was “MEJO 711: Multiplatform Storytelling” taught by Associate Professor Andy Bechtel. Bliss found the coursework — which included long-form writing assignments and interviews — rigorous but also very rewarding. One project stood out: a personal essay about a trip to Southeast Asia with her mother.
Her summer course “MEJO 723: Visual Literacy and User Experience” with Adjunct Instructor Melissa Eggleston reconnected Bliss with design skills that she first explored as an undergraduate and even let her return to the basics, sketching mockups by hand with pencil and paper.
After her final course, “MEJO 725: Media Innovation in Practice” with Adjunct Instructor Ryan Tuck, Bliss will have completed the program in one calendar year.
Through it all, the certificate program has been both affirming and eye-opening for Bliss.
“It’s shown me that I do know what I’m doing,” she said. “But it’s also opened my eyes to the journalism side, which I hadn’t explored before.”
Looking ahead, Bliss is considering whether to pursue a full master’s degree. For now, she is proud of what she has accomplished and is grateful to have strengthened her skills through a program she has long respected as a student and later as a UNC staff member.
“I think UNC Hussman’s reputation definitely played a role,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m going to take classes at UNC Hussman — that feels like a big deal.’”
About the Digital Storytelling certificate
UNC Hussman offers three graduate certificate programs in Digital Storytelling, Digital Communication Strategy and Digital Media Management. Each certificate consists of three courses from the school’s online master’s curriculum. With one course offered per term, students can complete a certificate in one year. Certificate credits may be applied toward the full master’s degree.
The Digital Storytelling certificate helps students build and improve skills in digital content creation. Key concepts include creating stories and products across platforms, visual literacy, design thinking and user-experience (testing and design). Learn more about the program.