Rachel Achorn

Rachel Achorn is an Assistant Professor of Public Relations at the School of Communication, University of North Florida. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Texas Tech University (2022), an M.A. in Communication from Angelo State University (2016), and a B.A. in Communication and English from Angelo State University (2014).

Her research focuses on health communication, interpersonal communication, and media effects, particularly how media influences adolescents’ and emerging adults’ disclosure of sexual assault and mental health challenges. She aims to inform university and nonprofit campaigns to encourage disclosure and resource access.

Recent publications examine media narratives in sexual assault disclosure, parental responses to mental health disclosures, and AI integration in education. She has presented at conferences including the International Communication Association and National Communication Association.

Scientific Awards:

• Top 6 Honorable Mention Research Poster (Kentucky Conference on Health Communication, 2022)

Grants & Projects:

• Graduate School Travel Fellowship (2022–)
• Samuel L. Asbury Foundation Research Grant (2022–2023)
• The Clint Formby and Wendell Mayes, Jr. Student Research Endowment (2021–2022)
• C.H. Foundation Doctoral Scholarship (2020–2021)
• Helen DeVitt Jones Graduate Fellowship ($3,000, 2020–2021)