Alumni Award Profile: Anne Noland

Congratulations to Anne Noland, the recipient of the 2025 Young Alumni Award.

After graduating from Grady College, Noland went on to intern for the Denver Broncos and has a wide range of experience in sports media, leading her to where she is today. She is now serving as the vice president of comms for Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium & Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.

Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to producing strategic, effective communication strategies. She encourages students to find a cause or organization they are passionate about, because “when a logo means something to you, it’s pretty easy to become fully invested in it.”

Following are excerpts from an interview with Noland.

HOW DID YOUR TIME AT GRADY COLLEGE SHAPE WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?

Noland: I would not be where I am today without my time at the University of Georgia for two primary reasons: 1) the hands-on work experience I received as a student assistant in the UGA Athletic Association communications department under the legendary Claude Felton, and 2) the preparation I received at Grady College as a result of dedicated professors, challenging courses and the innovative Sports Media Certificate program. Grady prepares students for success by teaching professionalism, an uncompromising attention to detail, a commitment to the truth and an understanding of the ever-changing landscape that is media in the 21st century. As a public relations professional, I have a deep appreciation for the knowledge I gained in journalism classes and from decorated journalists themselves, as I believe understanding all sides of the industry is essential to long-term success (rather than only studying and understanding PR). I also gained and refined my aptitude for writing from my coursework at Grady. Now that I’m on the other side and often speak with students interested in sports communications, I have grown to appreciate the way Grady prepared me to not only enter the workforce but to excel in it. 

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR TODAY’S GRADY COLLEGE STUDENTS?

Noland:  Figuring out what you don’t want to do is just as important as figuring out what you DO want to do. No experience is bad experience when you are in college. Try everything you can to help you discern your passion and ultimately your path. Don’t be above any opportunity, even if it means volunteering your time. There is no substitute for hard work or “game reps,” so don’t turn down opportunities to learn. The best way to stand out when you graduate is to have proof of “game reps” in college. 

ARE THERE ANY BOOKS OR PODCASTS YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO STUDENTS?

Noland:  I would tell every student who is interested in working in sports, particularly on the team or league side, to subscribe to the Sports Business Journal. Knowing sports and the outcome of games only gets you so far if you want to work in the industry. You have to understand the business, and the best way to build that foundation is to read what is happening and start to learn the why’s behind it. I would also say that if you want to work in comms or journalism, reading great journalism and/or listening to great communicators, no matter the field, will help you grow. Along those lines, I am currently enjoying Bloomberg’s “The Deal” podcast with Jason Kelly and Alex Rodriguez. Their guest list is varied across sports and entertainment, and they ask good questions centered around the intersection of sports and business. I always learn something. Finally, if you are interested in working for a team or a large organization in any capacity, I recommend the book “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara. It has nothing to do with sports or communications (rather, it’s about the restaurant industry), but it is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read about leadership.

WHAT DOES THIS RECOGNITION MEAN TO YOU?

Noland:  I’m incredibly humbled to be recognized by Grady College. There are so many young Grady College alumni across journalism and mass communication who are paving new paths for others to follow and deserving of this recognition. My success is truly a credit to so many other people around me, starting with my mom and those at UGA and Grady who believed in me, mentored me, challenged me and continue to support me. I also can’t imagine a recognition that would mean more to me than from the place where I attribute my growth and success. I am the proudest UGA grad in South Florida, and to be recognized by the institution I love so deeply is incredibly meaningful to me. 

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

Noland:  I wake up every day motivated to do right by the Miami Dolphins organization. As any Georgia grad knows, when a logo means something to you, it’s pretty easy to become fully invested in it. I’m incredibly grateful to the Dolphins organization and our leadership for the opportunity they’ve given me, and I work every day to earn my keep. I am aware of how lucky I am to have a dream job working for an NFL team and never feel entitled to it, so my motivation is grown out of my gratitude and investment in doing right by the people I represent. 

On a more personal note, I am also deeply motivated to carry on a family legacy established by my grandfather, Dr. E.J. Cook, who served as the academic dean of the U.S. Naval Academy for much of his life and has always been my hero. He did not live long enough to see me graduate high school, college or become a working professional, but I am very motivated every day to make him proud by both my work ethic and how I treat people. He was the hardest working and most humble person I have ever known, while also being a man of great conviction and humor. I hope to become half the person and leader he was. 

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL SHOULD MASTER?

Noland:  I will answer this from a public relations perspective. There are three traits I look for when hiring, which I believe are essential for success in PR and communications. I call them the three A’s: awareness, anticipation and attitude. Awareness is innate to some people, in my opinion – you either have it or you don’t. That includes self-awareness but also awareness of the situation, time and place, the room, etc. On the other hand, great anticipation and attitude are both a choice. Anticipation can be cultivated by being well-read, listening, paying attention and learning.  When you study and understand what is happening in the world around you, you can begin to predict or anticipate what will happen next, as history often repeats itself. Finally, attitude – this is critical to success in communications or any field. Humility looks good on everyone, so having both a positive attitude and a humble spirit is the first way to become someone that those ahead of you will want to rely on and trust, and the most important trait to maintain as you grow in your career. 

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE HAS HELPED YPU THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER?

Noland:  There are many, but the one that stands out and I refer to most frequently is this: “It is a mercy when authority comes slowly.” In a world of quick fixes and same-day shipping, it often feels there is a pressure for us to microwave our success in a similar fashion. Social media highlight reels have only added to the pressure. But success, and especially leadership, takes time – and time is often the best path for growing the character, strength and experience we need to be prepared for the opportunities ahead of us. 

The 2025 Alumni Award recipients will be recognized along with the 2025 Fellowship Inductees during the annual Grady Salutes event. This year’s Grady Salutes will be a luncheon on Friday, April 25. Details about sponsorship information and reservations can be found on our Grady Salutes registration page.

Editor: Madden Callahan, emc50486@uga.edu