10/09/2026
🧡 Celebrating a CCI 40 Under 40 honoree!
Congratulations to Kylie Julius, a College of Communication and Information PhD student with a concentration in Communication Studies, on being named to the Knoxville News Sentinel’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2026!
Julius was drawn to the study of communication by the realization that it’s not just something we experience every day; it’s also something we can study through theory, research, and data to better understand why people behave the way they do. Her research focuses on workplace mistreatment and bullying, particularly what influences whether people intervene, remain silent, or recognize problematic behavior.
As a doctoral teaching assistant in Communication Studies, Julius has taught more than 30 undergraduate course sections, including Public Speaking, Business and Professional Communication, and Organizational Communication. She is passionate about helping students grow academically and personally while building confidence in their communication skills.
Her teaching and research inform one another. Her scholarship allows her to bring theory and evidence into the classroom, while teaching reminds her that research must remain understandable, relevant, and connected to people’s lived experiences.
For Julius, being named to the Knoxville News Sentinel’s 40 Under 40 list reflects the people and organizations that have shaped her as a scholar, educator, and professional.
💬 “I do not see it as recognition of one person or one accomplishment. I see the people who have poured into me, the organizations that have trusted me, the students who have allowed me to teach them, and the family that makes it possible for me to keep showing up in all of these different roles,” Julius said.
Congratulations, Kylie! We’re proud to celebrate your accomplishments and the impact you’re making through teaching, research, and your contributions to the field of communication. 👏
