College of Charleston Martin Center Announces Mentorship Awards

The Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication at the College of Charleston is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Mentorship Awards: Glen Jackson, Taylor Shawver ’17 and The LAGRANT Foundation (Organizational Excellence in Mentoring Award). The awards will be presented at the Celebration of Mentoring dinner on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston.

Jackson is the co-founder of Jackson Spalding, and will receive the Distinguished Mentor Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in mentorship and made a lasting impact on the communications profession.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Jackson Spalding, one of the most highly rated independent PR and marketing agencies in the country. The agency – which has offices in Atlanta; Athens, Georgia; Dallas; and Los Angeles – serves a prestigious roster of clients, including Chick-fil-A, Norfolk Southern, Delta Airlines, the Coca-Cola Company, Publix Supermarkets and L.L. Bean.

Jackson has been a cornerstone of the agency’s success, providing invaluable mentorship to colleagues and shaping a culture of excellence. Beyond his work at Jackson Spalding, Jackson serves on numerous nonprofit boards – and, in 2013, the Atlanta Rotary Club voted to honor him with the Ivan Allen Club Service Award for his lifelong dedication to community service and leadership. Jackson is a recognized thought leader and the author of Preeminence: What It Means and How to Sustain It (2018), which is about the fundamental ways organizations can not only reach, but also sustain a preeminent position within their respective marketplaces.

Shawver is the co-founder and senior vice president of Integral, and will be honored with the Emerging Mentor Award, which celebrates the exceptional contributions of young professionals who demonstrate outstanding dedication and skill in mentoring others early in their careers.

Shawver is a member of the inaugural Martin Scholars class and has made a significant impact in the field of communication. She was recognized as a Rising Star in communications by PRNews and Ragan Communications in 2022. Beyond her work with Integral, Shawver recently earned her juris doctor degree from Syracuse University College of Law, blending her legal expertise with her experience as a communicator.

She was a participant in the Page Future Leaders program and serves on the National Advisory Council for the Department of Communication at the College of Charleston, providing students with direct mentorship and guidance from professionals in the field. Shawver has served as a mentor for the Martin Scholars and Mentor-Protégé programs since 2020.

The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF) will receive the Organizational Excellence in Mentoring Award, which recognizes organizations that exemplify exceptional leadership in fostering mentorship and creating pathways for future leaders in the communications industry.

Established in 1998, (TLF) has made significant strides in advancing the careers of young professionals in advertising, marketing and public relations by providing scholarships, career development workshops and internships.

The foundation’s chairman and CEO, Kim Hunter, is a recognized leader in the field, bringing a wealth of experience in brand marketing and strategic communications. In 2018, he was named one of PRWeek’s 50 Most Powerful People in PR, highlighting his transformative impact on the industry.

The Martin Center was founded in 2023 by Tom Martin with a mission to inspire and develop a future generation of leaders and mentors among today’s outstanding communication students, and to foster more robust relationships between those who educate and those who practice in the communications field.

Tickets for the Celebration of Mentoring dinner can be purchased from the George Street Box Office.