"Say it in 6" winners

Our 2025 "Say it in 6" competition featured 73 graduate student entries from 19 graduate programs! Grab a cup of coffee and scroll through these interesting and thoughtful contributions. 

Communication in the 21st century relies heavily on visual messaging. Inspired by the Say it in 6 competition at Purdue University, UWL established its own Say it in 6 competition to help graduate students develop visual communication skills. The competition required contributions limited to six words and a single, impactful image. Each entry had to connect to the competition theme, and to the student's field of study. 

The 2025 competition theme was GROWTH. 

Students were asked about how the idea of growth was connected to their graduate education. Was it what they were learning day to day? The plans they had for their future career? Was it the way their personal relationships with program students or faculty were changing over time? Or was it a challenge they had to overcome or a problem they had to solve?

Submitters showed us and told us about the way their graduate education was helping them grow. 

• Competition opens - Monday, October 13, 2025
• Submission deadline - Tuesday, November 4, 2025
• Online voting open - Thursday, November 6 - Wednesday, November 12, 2025
• Winners announced - Monday, November 17, 2025

Entries must include:

1. An original image. This can be your own photography or a photograph of your original artwork. A student may use a photo of themselves, with photographer permission. Photo collages are discouraged, because in general a single image is more impactful.
2. An original statement of exactly six words, embedded within the image file.

• A hyphenated word counts as two words, but common acronyms will be treated as one word (e.g. UWL, ASAP).
• If using hashtags, each word following # will be counted (i.e., #willbecounted would count as 3 words).

Incorrectly sized submissions will not be accepted. (See below for how to create your entry). Only one entry is permitted per individual. 

In addition to the requirements indicated above, Graduate & Extended Learning reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not meet university code of conduct standards (e.g., use of hateful, violent, attacking language/images; violation of FERPA or HIPAA protections; depictions of safety violations; plagiarism). Entries must reflect an appropriate level of professionalism in language and images as appropriate to promoting higher education and a state organization (e.g., correct spelling, clean language, non-sexualized images, etc.).

If you don't regularly use graphics software, we recommend this approach:

• To get started, use a blank PowerPoint slide
  • For correct sizing, in Powerpoint select - Design > Slide size > Widescreen (16:9)
• Create your submission
  • Include your image/s and six words. 
  • Images must be 5.0 MB or higher quality; maximum file size is 16.0 MB. If your file is too big save it at lower resolution.
• Save your entry
  • When you are finished, save the PowerPoint slide as a JPEG. Include your name as part of the file name. 
  • This JPEG will serve as your entry.
• Submit your entry
  
  • One submission allowed per person
  • Entries must be submitted via the link on the website 
  • Be sure that your name is part of the file name you submit!

After the submission deadline, all entries will be viewable on the Graduate & Extended Learning website.

Judging Criteria

Originality & Creativity

• Overall professional appearance
• Unique or surprising
• Effective connection to theme

Storytelling & Impact

• Captures viewer's attention
• Tell a stimulating, moving, or memorable story
• Connects in some way to your field of study
• Words and image work together to create a message

Evaluation Process

Entries will be reviewed by a committee selected by the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning to represent a diversity of perspectives on graduate education. The committee will select the top three place-winners.

Online voting will be open to the general public for one week to determine the People's Choice award winner. Votes will be submitted via Qualtrics (one vote per email address). Competitor names and graduate programs will be shared during the online voting. A single competitor may be selected as a place winner by the selection committee and also be awarded the People's Choice.

Award winners will be announced on the Graduate & Extended Learning website.