SXU Senior Earns Outstanding Communication Student Award
Saint Xavier University (SXU) senior Brian Raica Jr. has received the Outstanding Communication Student Award at the College of Liberal Arts and Education Academic Awards Ceremony.
Raica, a strategic communication student with minors in film/media studies and writing, is very involved on campus in various communication-related roles and feels at home at SXU's Campus Media Center.
"Over the last few years, I have experienced wonders through working in the Campus Media Center. I wrote for The Xavierite from January 2023 until December 2025, starting as a reporter and rising the ranks to editor-in-chief. I was able to travel across the country on press passes and attend incredible events such as New York Comic Con. During these travels, I got to meet and interview iconic figures in film and television culture such as Beverly D'Angelo, Dermot Mulroney, and Anthony Michael Hall," said Raica.
Raica won a 2nd-place open-division award at the ICPA (Illinois College Press Association) Conference for a review he wrote of a restaurant he went to as a child. He has worked on many audio projects at the Campus Media Center, including a radio show and video projects such as the newest iteration of "Cougar Connections."
While searching for colleges, Raica was heavily invested in the idea of film journalism and is grateful for his time at SXU, which has prepared him well for the future.
"The Xavierite gave me countless opportunities, and I cherished every moment of it. It did wonders for my resume and portfolio. Countless classes and professors have prepared me for what comes next. In particular, my video production course put everyone in the class in a studio setting, where we all have to work together like a real-life workforce on our shoots and edits. It's super handy being able to work with incredible pieces of technology and camera equipment," said Raica.
In addition to his communication and writing work, Raica also joined Students for H.O.P.E. during the first semester of his senior year.
"We held two kidney screenings since then, and it’s been such an enriching experience. To be able to communicate with organizations is an incredible experience, and it is so cool to be part of planning committees," said Raica.
Raica's time at Saint Xavier has been memorable, and he appreciates opportunities to engage and exposure to SXU's Mercy mission in action.
"Seeing almost 20 students socializing in The Xavierite office for a staff get-together was amazing. It was like being surrounded by friends and family with a wonderful atmosphere. I also recently got to interview some of the Sisters of Mercy about their time at the University and their ways of life. It was incredible hearing their stories of the founding of Lake Marion and their time on retreats around the world," said Raica.
In the future, Raica, who is part of the graduating Class of 2026, hopes to pursue a traveling journalism job.
"I've always wanted to see the world and experience other cultures. I've never been out of the United States and want to be able to report globally."