2019 College Report

36 College Report 2019 department of communi cat ion studi es Communication Studies examines the expression, exchange, and analysis of meaning in personal, professional, and public life. In-depth study of communication equips graduates with social intelligence that is bolstered by critical thinking, and creative problem-solving skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Te undergraduate degree ofers concentrations in Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, and Persuasive Communication as well as Teacher Certifcation. Tere are three interdisciplinary minors: Leadership, Political Communication, and Health Communication. Te graduate degree ofers research emphases in Health Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, Persuasion and Political Communication, Rhetorical Studies, as well as Training and Development. RECENT ACCOLADES AND OPPORTUNITIES • 2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in Forensics and Debate • National fellowships with the Humanities, Arts, Science, and Technology Alliance and Collaboratory • Outstanding/Innovative Master’s Degree Program Award, Master’s Education Section of National Communication Association (2018) • Nearly 100% of masters’ students pursuing a Ph.D. are accepted to top doctoral programs. Tey now teach at schools such as: DePaul University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Georgia, University of Texas, University of Oklahoma, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina, Rutgers University, and Penn State University • OVERALL WINNER OF 22 OF THE LAST 24 Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association tournaments • COMMWeek (32 years), features national and international guest speakers, as well as networking and professional development opportunities • LBJ Debate Society and Elton Abernathy Forensics Society is only U. S. team invited to debate at Oxford University • Recent faculty awards for online teaching, distinguished article of the year in instructional communication, dissertation of the year in health communication, top 20 most read articles in interdisciplinary journals • Masters students regularly present at national conferences and publish peer-reviewed articles, winning 3 Top Paper awards • Since 2004, 6 WINNERS of the Battle of Flowers Association Oratorical Contest, plus 4 second place fnishes RECENT GUEST SPEAKERS Dr. Michael Ward (Oxford), Nina Vaca (CEO and Chairman, Pinnacle Group), Dr. Jennifer Teiss (Rutgers), Pam Cox (VP Whataburger), Andrew Lazo (CS Lewis Scholar), Joe Hamlin (Cleveland Browns), Susan Ramirez, (President/CEO Austin Angels), and Dr. Jesse Fox (Ohio State) ALUMNI (See also Distinguished Alumni) RON ALVES SR. Subcontract Manager, Lockheed Martin DR. LEAH BRYANT Associate Professor, DePaul University DR. BR ITTANI CROOK User Experience (UX) Researcher at Facebook ERNIE DOMINGUEZ Executive Director, Capital & Construction Solutions NICK DR IVER Senior Vice President at Research Data Insights in L.A. ANNE GR ADY Motivational speaker and author of 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work JEFF HAHN Principal, Hahn Public Communications (Austin) JOE HOFFER Lawyer/Partner, Schulman, Lopez, & Hofer LLP BRANDON LEE Founder & CEO, FunnelAmplifed and author of 99 Powerful Questions For Business Owners & Leaders DR. VIRGINIA MCDERMOTT Dean, High Point University STEPHEN MCINTOSH Director, Organizational Development, Shell Oil Company, Saudi Arabia BRIAN MILLER Senior Manager of Sales Communication and Policies, United Airlines SHAWN TURNER Former White House Deputy Press Secretary 37 385 Ma j o r s 417 Mi no r s BEST Masters Degree Program in the country (National Communication Association)