From left, PIC Lab Program Coordinator Jenna Stewart, PIC Lab undergraduate Research Assistant Kaylin Amaral, and PIC Lab Graduate Research Assistant Mary Roush work on a recording with Retired Major General Jim Hoyer onsite at the Patriot Guardens apple farm (photo credit: PIC Lab Graduate Research Assistant Zebulon Meyer, award nominator)
West Virginia University Reed School of Media and Communications Associate Professor and crisis communication scientist Julia Daisy Fraustino, Ph.D., alongside her team in the Public Interest Communication Research Laboratory (PIC Lab), has been designated a Patriotic Employer by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve ( ESGR) program.
This recognition from the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense honors civilian supervisors and organizational leaders nominated by employees for going above and beyond in supporting their employees’ participation in the National Guard and Reserve. The Patriot Award acknowledges employers who demonstrate exceptional adaptability, accountability and encouragement – such as flexible leave and pre‑ and post‑deployment support.
“We are humbled and honored to receive this recognition. Supporting colleagues who serve in the Guard and Reserve is not just a duty but a privilege. I’m grateful for the roles service members play in growing our state’s and country’s resilience. Civic and professional support for those in service are basic but important ways we can contribute to their readiness and express appreciation for their sacrifices,” Fraustino said.
The PIC Lab takes a whole-person, employee‑focused approach to empower interns, graduate assistants, staff and partners to fulfill military obligations while maintaining crucial roles in ongoing community-engaged research initiatives. By offering schedule coordination, uninterrupted benefits and a culture that is sensitive to service demands, the PIC Lab affirms its commitment to supporting the service members and families who take care of Mountain State communities and strive to uphold the American promise.
“Our service members are everyday heroes – the folks who respond to emergencies and disasters like the deadly flooding that many of us have experienced over the years. They answer the call time and time again, whether they’re responding to something as globally life-altering as the pandemic or they’re helicoptering water to suppress localized wildfires” Fraustino noted. “I think about how after the floods in Ohio County recently, a mom shared that a service member literally gave her child the shirt off his back when her kid was soaked after fleeing up a hill as their house filled with floodwater. It’s important to support our employees who are giving their all on the job while also on the frontlines of disaster response and defense.”
Fraustino attended an award luncheon hosted by ESGR at Stonewall Resort in late July to receive this recognition alongside other employers and organizations from across the state. Her nominator, PIC Lab employee Zebulon Meyer, attended as well.
“Dr. Fraustino has been a tremendous supporter of my Army National Guard career, consistently showing flexibility in accommodating my military commitments. She has thoughtfully arranged my work schedule to make sure that I do not have assignments during drill weekends or annual training, allowing me to fulfill my duties without added stress,” Meyer, a graduate research assistant in the PIC Lab who is earning a master’s of science in journalism with an emphasis in advocacy and public interest communication, remarked.
“Beyond just scheduling, Dr. Fraustino has shown genuine appreciation for my service, offering encouragement and support that has made balancing my military and professional responsibilities much easier. Her unwavering support has had a significant positive impact on my ability to serve both my country and my academic or professional commitments effectively.” Meyer continued. “And I’ve also been able to take on communication projects in the PIC Lab and for my thesis research that support military and veteran communities, which is work I’m particularly proud to do.”
The PIC Lab puts academic research boots on the ground, embracing the art and science of communication through data-driven, community-engaged approaches. As the social and behavioral science arm of the WVU Media Innovation Center, the PIC Lab unites faculty, students, and community partners to enhance human flourishing by leveraging the power of science, community, and strategic communication for positive social change in the public interest.
A dedicated public servant, Fraustino was previously awarded a U.S. Army Civilian Commendation Medal for exceptional contributions to the state and nation during the COVID-19 pandemic response. The Patriotic Employer designation underscores the PIC Lab’s ongoing commitment to supporting students, staff, and partners who work together to foster community and national resilience.