LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal Program
The LSU Distinguished Communicator program is for self-motivated LSU undergraduates who want to refine their communication skills and excel in their chosen professions. Students who successfully achieve this unique distinction are recognized with a medal at graduation and receive a permanent commendation on their official transcripts, giving them significant leverage in today’s job market and other post-graduate pursuits. Upon completion of the program, these students possess the competitive skills and knowledge needed for 21st-century leadership. LSU is one of the only universities in the country recognizing students who excel in communicating within their discipline.
"The Distinguished Communicator program not only elevates your skillset, it transforms how you show up in the world. It’s an investment in yourself that continues to pay off in every space you step into."
—2025 LSU Distinguished Communicator alum
Program Eligibility
To enter to LSU Distinguished Communicator medal program, applicants must apply and complete an orientation with at least three semesters remaining before graduation. The program trajectory is built to enable you to best manage your time and effectively build the mentoring relationships that can support you as you build your portfolio. We want you to have the experience you deserve, and you need time to be able to have that.
Note: Students are not required to complete their Communication-Intensive Course requirements before applying.
Apply to the program
Program Requirements
Through the LSU Distinguished Communicator program, candidates undergo a variety of training experiences to develop their writing, speaking, visual and technological communication skills, and are required to build a public portfolio demonstrating their proficiency. They must also successfully articulate their leadership roles and experiences beyond the classroom that reflect their communication skills and their professional narrative. Candidates connect with their CxC Representative and Faculty Advisor who coach them through the process.
Once accepted into the program, you will work to complete the following requirements:
- contract with a Faculty Advisor at least three semesters prior to graduation and meet regularly to ensure timely submission of all components needed for certification.
- attend check-in meetings once a year with your CxC Representative to check in about progress.
- earn a B- or higher in at least 4 C-I courses – minimum course mode credits: 3 written, 2 spoken, 1 visual, and 1 tech (Approved individual C-I contract may be applied) and complete the LSU Communicator Certificate.
- participate in at least one CxC-led Portfolio Session designed to improve communication skills.
- participate in experiences beyond the classroom that enable you to practice effective communication skills and prepare for your future field, including at least one which enables you to serve in a leadership role.
- complete an approved public portfolio showcasing your communication skills.
- unequivocally prove yourself as an effective communicator.
- be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the university.
"Being a Distinguished Communicator has greatly enhanced my ability to lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose. It helped me recognize that effective leadership isn’t just about having a vision. It’s about listening well, giving others a voice, and communicating that vision in a way that inspires action."
—2025 LSU Distinguished Communicator alum
Program FAQs
You can apply at any point as long as you have not completed more than 80 hours of course work. If you have more than 80 hours, you must have at least 3 or more semesters remaining before you graduate.
If you have less than 3 semesters remaining, you are no longer eligible for the LSU Distinguished Communicator program but you might still be eligible for the LSU Communicator Certificate.
Yes! The Distinguished Communicator program is open to undergraduates in ALL majors at LSU. Good communication skills are important no matter which field you are studying or what job you plan to pursue post-graduation.
We look for a current and overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; however, since GPA isn’t always representative of your full potential to become a strong communicator, we do accept students with lower GPAs. In the application we ask everyone for two of their strongest communication samples, so be sure to include your best work.
You will receive an email from cxc@lsu.edu with next steps and a copy of your application. If you don't see it in your inbox, check your spam/junk folder first, then contact CxC if you still don't have it.
The email will contain a link to the self-guided Moodle orientation. Please note that this is time sensitive and must be completed before you are considered active in the program.
Your CxC representative is assigned to you depending on your major to help guide you through each step in the program.
A Faculty Advisor is an individual you select, who advises you as it relates to your career path and/or field of study. Your Faculty Advisor should be someone who specializes in the field you are interested in pursuing after graduation, and is someone with whom you will work well and who is committed to helping you complete this program.
Check out this handy graphic to help you understand the role each person will play in your Distinguished Communicator journey.
No, all LSU professors are eligible to serve as Faculty Advisors to Distinguished Communicator candidates; however, you must make sure the faculty member you select is willing to assist you through the process. You must complete a Student-Faculty Advisor contract and submit it to the CxC office no later than three semesters prior to your graduation.
Because the Distinguished Communicator program focuses on mastering discipline-specific communication skills, you should select a Faculty Advisor who specializes in the field you are interested in pursuing after graduation. For example, if you want to be an engineer when you graduate, your Faculty Advisor should be well versed in engineering. You also want to find someone with whom you will work well and who is committed to helping you complete this program.
CxC has several programs in place to orient Faculty Advisors. Once you submit your Student-Faculty Advisor contract, CxC will invite your Advisor to a DC Advisor Program Overview Meeting. If your selected Advisor has questions before signing your contract, you can direct the to contact CxC via the general email (cxc@lsu.edu) or the CxC Representative affiliated with their college to discuss the program’s requirements.
You should meet with your Faculty Advisor at least once a semester to make sure you are on the path to completing the program. Additionally, reach out to your CxC Representative at least one per year to attend a housekeeping meeting and check in about your progress in the program.
No, most students are able to find courses that are required courses in their degree programs and certified as Communication-Intensive (C-I). Find a listing of all C-I courses here. Also, when you’re browsing myLSU Course Offerings, C-I courses will be denoted as such.
If you cannot find enough C-I courses within your planned course path, there are opportunities for you to do Independent C-I Course Contracts. You can do Independent C-I Course Contracts on any course, as long as the instructor is willing to work with you. Sometimes, you are doing communication-intensive work within the class, but for one reason or another, the class is not certified. Other times, by simply doing an additional project in the course, you can make it C-I. Either way, you can use C-I Contracts to earn needed credits.
Note: The contract option is only available to active Distinguished Communicator candidates.
Keep track of your progress using this personal tracking document. In addition to completing your regular check-ins with your CxC Representative and Faculty Advisor, as well as attending an eportfolio workshop, you will submit your Public Portfolio Draft to CxC the semester before you graduate for an assessment. After receiving feedback, you will make final edits to your portfolio, turn in the final version of your portfolio, and turn in your Dear Reviewer letter early in your final semester. Also due no later than your final semester is your LSU Communicator Certificate Reflection.
This is a progressive program meant for you hold control over your own progress. You should meet a variety of milestones regularly to stay on track. There are deadlines for various components your last four semesters. Refer to the Personal Tracking Form for more info.