Constant Contact
English alumnus Joey Arellano鈥檚 passion transforms communication from a professional duty into community advocacy
Joey Arellano is a professional at carving out communities where they didn鈥檛 previously exist.
When Arellano was a homesick first-generation Mexican American student at 糖心vlog in 2011, he co-founded the Mexican American Student Association in 2012 to create a space where he could honor and share his culture. Thirteen years later, MASA is still a registered student organization that continues to serve as an educational and cultural learning instrument for the FSU community. In the meantime, he also co-founded the FSU Alumni Association鈥檚 Hispanic/Latin Alumni Network.
Today, Arellano continues to bring people together using communications as a tool to advocate for and amplify varied voices statewide as deputy communications director for the Florida House of Representatives, Office of the Minority Leader.
When he鈥檚 not fielding press interviews, crafting messaging around legislation or assisting lawmakers during hearings, Arellano, a Port St. Lucie native who became the youngest person to hold the role when he was appointed at age 27 in 2021, can be found working with stakeholders on key policy issues.
鈥淏uilding community through communications has been central to my career since my time as an undergraduate,鈥 Arellano said. 鈥淏y building relationships with state representatives and working with policy experts, my role bridges the gaps in communication to help people understand how complex policies affect their everyday lives.鈥
While Arellano earned dual bachelor鈥檚 degrees in editing, writing and media from the in the College of Arts and Sciences and international affairs from the in 2015, he has maintained strong connections to FSU, and he continues to mentor current students. His dedication to both his alma mater and public relations earned him the Reubin O鈥橠. Askew Young Alumni Award in 2024, an honor presented by the to graduates under 35 who exemplify professional excellence and notable public service.
鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 realized how much impact others saw in the work I鈥檓 doing,鈥 Arellano said. 鈥淭his recognition motivates me to become even more involved with the university. I believe I can make a meaningful difference in students鈥 lives and contribute to FSU鈥檚 dynamic campus environment through my work.鈥
鈥He embodies Florida State. He brings creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of purpose to everything he does, values that reflect the best of FSU.鈥
鈥 Adrianna Tran, FSU alumna
Arellano pursued EWM to hone his writing and communication skills and to complement his major in international affairs, a passion born of his appreciation for and curiosity about other cultures, countries and governments. His English classes introduced him to the idea of historical rhetoric 鈥 the study of how persuasive communication shaped past political, cultural and social movements.
鈥淚 realized that communication is how social movements happen, and communicating effectively is how people are persuaded to take action,鈥 Arellano said. 鈥淏eing educated is such a privilege. We can be the change-makers we need and prevent people from harming those who are less advantaged.鈥
FSU alumna Adrianna Tran nominated Arellano for the Askew Young Alumni Award after working alongside him as a legislative aide for a state representative. Tran earned dual bachelor鈥檚 degrees in EWM and international affairs from FSU in 2020.
鈥淛oey completely revolutionized communications for the House Democratic office 鈥 now, representatives actively seek him out for guidance,鈥 Tran said. 鈥淚 nominated him based on his leadership and his ability to make complex government information accessible and engaging.鈥
Arellano has served as a community leader, completing his second term with the Tallahassee Human Relations Council in 2024, which advises the Tallahassee City Commission. He was also the 2023 Project Advisory Committee Chair for KCCI Tallahassee, which assists the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce in its mission to support local businesses and ensure Tallahassee remains a choice destination.
鈥淗e embodies Florida State,鈥 Tran said. 鈥淗e brings creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of purpose to everything he does, values that reflect the best of FSU.鈥
Arellano isn鈥檛 motivated by awards; however, his standout efforts are consistently recognized. In 2022, he received the Unsung Hero Award from the Florida House of Representatives in honor of his contributions to the community. In 2024, Arellano was appointed to a three-year term on the Florida Bar鈥檚 Citizens Advisory Committee, making him one of its youngest members and one of the few non-lawyers to facilitate communication between Florida鈥檚 citizens and the Florida Bar. That same year, he was also named one of Florida politics鈥 鈥淕reat Communicators鈥 by INFLUENCE Magazine.
鈥淎t the end of the day, accolades don鈥檛 define a person,鈥 Arellano said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e defined by the impact we leave behind, the voices we amplify, and the good we put into the world. What keeps me motivated in this field is knowing that just by showing up as myself, I鈥檓 making a difference.鈥
Carolina Ortega-Martinez is an FSU student pursuing dual degrees in digital media production and editing, writing and media. She is set to graduate in May 2026.