Constant Contact
Joey Arellano is a professional at carving out communities where they didn’t previously exist.
When Arellano was a homesick first-generation Mexican American student at Florida State University 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’s 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’s 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.
“Building community through communications has been central to my career since my time as an undergraduate,” Arellano said. “By 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.”
While Arellano earned dual bachelor’s degrees in editing, writing and media from the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences and international affairs from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy 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’D. Askew Young Alumni Award in 2024, an honor presented by the FSU Alumni Association to graduates under 35 who exemplify professional excellence and notable public service.
“I hadn’t realized how much impact others saw in the work I’m doing,” Arellano said. “This recognition motivates me to become even more involved with the university. I believe I can make a meaningful difference in students’ lives and contribute to FSU’s dynamic campus environment through my work.”
“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.”
— 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 — the study of how persuasive communication shaped past political, cultural and social movements.
“I realized that communication is how social movements happen, and communicating effectively is how people are persuaded to take action,” Arellano said. “Being educated is such a privilege. We can be the change-makers we need and prevent people from harming those who are less advantaged.”
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’s degrees in EWM and international affairs from FSU in 2020.
“Joey completely revolutionized communications for the House Democratic office — now, representatives actively seek him out for guidance,” Tran said. “I nominated him based on his leadership and his ability to make complex government information accessible and engaging.”
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.
“He embodies Florida State,” Tran said. “He brings creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of purpose to everything he does, values that reflect the best of FSU.”
Arellano isn’t 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’s Citizens Advisory Committee, making him one of its youngest members and one of the few non-lawyers to facilitate communication between Florida’s citizens and the Florida Bar. That same year, he was also named one of Florida politics’ “Great Communicators” by INFLUENCE Magazine.
“At the end of the day, accolades don’t define a person,” Arellano said. “We’re 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’m making a difference.”
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.