Kent State University School of Communication Studies

Join Professors Cristin A. Compton and David E. Silva, along with grad student Heidi Judd as they discuss what makes political season so fraught for miscommunication and stress – and how you can best protect your mental well-being. They'll be speaking in the Pepsi Leadership Center, October 30 from 6:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.

Two students from Associate Professor Rekha Sharma's Criticism of Public Discourse class (Fall 2023) participated in Kent State University's Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors last week:

⚡️ Korren Cullom took first place in her category, conducting a feminist critique of a speech by Dr. Bernice Sandler, and tying her analysis to contemporary issues

⚡️ Hallie Gornall presented a neo-Aristotelian critique of a speech by Sojourner Truth

Congratulations!

https://www.kent.edu/today/news/research-scholarship-and-creativity-display-undergraduate-symposium

“As professional communicators, we know that story is the most powerful and illuminating force in humanity, and stories really matter to our students too." (Stephanie Danes Smith, Associate Professor, instructor of Global Perspectives Book Club course)

Read about how students are discovering empathy, new cultural perspectives and more through a new student-led class in our School: https://www.kent.edu/comm/news/student-led-global-book-club-course-brings-fresh-perspectives-through-storytelling

Our latest edition of the COMM alumni newsletter is centered on advocacy. Read it here: https://connect.kent.edu/go?cmd=message&id=d59be3bb-35fe-44c7-a33a-538a51016f06

"We generally think of an advocate as someone who pleads for or argues on behalf of a person, group or cause," writes Director Paul Haridakis. "Advocacy is central to the practice of communication in action. Advocacy is also a theme of this newsletter, showcasing students and alumni who are involved in advocacy in various ways."

“I’ve always known that I have a love for writing … I’ve gotten to practice crafting witty and concise messages for social media, and it’s a skill I want to continue developing.”

Communication Studies major Bella Palowitz, ’24, has been getting practice in many aspects of creative marketing at her internship with Palo Creative this semester: writing creative copy for social media, e-newsletters and blogs; editing short-form videos; designing graphics for social media; and using tools like HubSpot to manage social media and schedule emails. She credits Kent State University faculty for preparing her!

“The professors in the School of Communication Studies have been instrumental to my professional development,” Bella says. “I have developed personal relationships with several of them, and I know that I can turn to them for professional guidance and career opportunities.”

Read more: https://www.kent.edu/comm/intern/bella-palowitz

We're proud to call Michael J. Houser a COMM alumnus!

The 2011 Kent State University graduate shares his story of applying communication skills to his career in advocacy and public service:

Communication and Advocacy: Alumnus Champions Cleveland, its School Kids through Work | Kent State University Communication and Advocacy: Alumnus Champions Cleveland, its School Kids through Work | School of Communication Studies | As a Kent State student, Michael J. Houser, ’11, learned the value of good communication, and those lessons have propelled him throughout his career."From the first class to th...

When Kent State University alumnus Dan Gerbracht isn’t working for the city of Hudson as video department manager, you might find him at a Cleveland Guardians or Cleveland Cavaliers game. He won’t be in the stands — but running the videos you see on the scoreboard and controlling the live production cameras.

As a result of the gig, the COMM alumnus has been part of some of Cleveland's biggest sports moments, including Game 7 of the World Series in 2016.

As a Copywriter for FCB Health New York, COMM alumna Grace Petitjean, '21, takes high-science medical content and crafts messages that tailor the information to be understood by the general public, ensuring everyone has equal access to health information.

Read her story here: https://www.kent.edu/comm/news/alumna-excels-simplifying-medical-info-through-copywriting

“My internship has taught me that I really enjoy community relations. I love getting out there and talking to students, talking to teachers, talking to community members and seeing what's going on. How can we portray this? How can I tell your story?”

Katie Criswell, '24, shares her experience interning with -Munroe Falls City School District this semester:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0xMq3KPABT/

Internship Spotlight: Communication studies major Katie Criswell, ’24, shares how @kentstate prepared her for a communications-focused internship with Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools (@smfschools). This semester, she’s worked on content creation and storytelling for social media and the district’s Community Connection magazine. “My internship has taught me that I really enjoy community relations,” she says. “I love getting out there and talking to students, talking to teachers, talking to community members and seeing what’s going on. How can we portray this? How can I tell your story?” #kentstate #ccikentstate

Scenes from Communication in Action, 2023! The student work will be on display in the Taylor Hall Gallery until mid-next-week.

Read more here: https://www.kent.edu/comm/news/display-student-work-highlights-communication-action

📸: Hayden Cruz, '25, and Alex Thompson, '24

After decades as a pastor, David Zachrich had a sudden and dramatic reevaluation of his life. A life-threatening heart attack 15 years ago forced him to step back and reconsider his path. He immediately thought of teaching, and has spent the past nine years building inclusive and welcoming learning environments here in COMM.

This fall, he was honored with the Outstanding Teaching Award, one of Kent State University's highest teaching honors.

Read more:

The Heart of Teaching | Kent State University The Heart of Teaching | Kent State Today, School of Communication Studies University News, Student Life, Profiles | After decades as a pastor, David Zachrich had a sudden and dramatic reevaluation of his life. A life-threatening heart attack 15 years ago forced him to step back and reconsider his pa...

Victoria Humphreys, '13, first learned how she could use her communication skills to positively impact her community through the federal government as a COMM student at Kent State University.

Today, she is a public affairs specialist in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, advocating for Tribal communities and helping advance a lasting legacy for Tribal communities across the nation.

Read more: https://www.kent.edu/alumni/news/victoria-humphreys-13