Communication Studies, University of Minnesota

The 2025 Communication Studies Symposium was a great success!

This graduate student-led, Unconference-style event allowed us to engage with the theme: Disability Justice in Academia. Together, we participated in collaborative workshops designed to foster community and spark meaningful conversations within the department.

Let's come together to learn, connect, and inspire change! 💡💬

Congratulations to Dr. Anderson and her students (i.e., Oliva Webster, Nicole Yang, Cass Bryant, and Taylor Herr) from COMM3625W Communication Ethics. They published a journal article in Feminist Pedagogy.

Teaching Communication Ethics has shown Dr. Wendy Anderson how important it is to create space for everyone's stories. In one class, a BIPOC student, Olivia Webster, courageously shared her experiences with oppression. Although well-meaning, some students unintentionally shifted the focus to their own experiences, leaving Olivia's voice unheard. Dr. Anderson redirected the conversation back to Olivia’s perspective, which opened the door to a deeper, more compassionate discussion about how our good intentions might not always align with the impact of our actions.

Later, with the help of teaching assistant Nicole Yang and undergraduate students Cass Bryant and Taylor Herr, they began considering how traditional academic spaces often overlook or silence marginalized identities. Together, they redesigned the course to center these experiences and created a framework that encourages everyone to reflect on how their identities shape their communication and understanding of ethics. They call this approach "body acknowledgment," a way of honoring how our stories, shaped by our bodies and lives, influence how we connect with others. This new curriculum helps students explore social justice through dialogue and narrative reflection. It's all about learning to listen deeply and work toward building a fairer world, one conversation at a time.

Let’s rethink how we can create spaces where every voice matters. 💬🌟 What stories or experiences have shaped how you understand fairness and justice?

Anderson, W. K., Webster, O., Yang, N., Bryant, C., & Herr, T. (2025). Reenvisioning Identities that Precede Us: “Body Acknowledgement” as Social Justice Practice within a Communication Ethics Course Redesign. Feminist Pedagogy, 5(4), 2.
https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/feministpedagogy/vol5/iss4/2/

Summer time is map time.

Last year, Mark Usem , our office staff, wanted to make sure that we put up our summer map in time (April) before our faculty members and students leave town for their summer research and travel. ✈️🧳🌏🥾

This year, as we unroll the map and set up the bulletin board for the Department, we hope that Mark is enjoying his post-retirement travels.

If you happen to stop by the office, don't forget to MARK your travel 😉

You did it, Communication Studies grads—CONGRATULATIONS!

We’re cheering you on as you wrap up your time at the University of Minnesota, and we couldn’t be prouder of all you’ve accomplished!

To celebrate, we’ve got a little something for you:
Stop by 225 Ford Hall next week (April 21–25) to pick up your free Communication Studies graduation mug! (Check out the photo below!)

This is our way of saying THANK YOU for being part of our community—and we can't wait to see where your journey takes you next.

Stay in touch, and once again…
CONGRATS, GRADS! You make us proud.

Today, we had a talk by Karina Horsti and Kyra Bower called "Walking, Teaching, and Studying Public Memory at George Floyd Square."

In this research seminar Dr. Karina Horsti and doctoral student Kyra Bowar present their preliminary research and teaching experience on the public memory politics in George Floyd Square. Immediately after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020, the intersection became a space of protest, mutual aid, and memorialization. Five years after, it is a place of a living memorial where art, ritual, protest, and vernacular acts of remembrance intersect. The openness of the memorial invites visitors to engage and insert their own meanings to the place. Multiple memories of injustice become visible in the square. GFS is facing a major change in the coming years as the City of Minneapolis has started an urban design and development project on memorials, the People’s Way area, and the streets’ right-of-way. This involves a plan for public memorials, a continuation of the process that started with the official naming of the George Floyd Square in 2022.

Kyra studies how memories and histories (public and local) shape GFS, considering how we might approach teaching precarious places of public memory in the classroom. She discusses layers of histories and memories that the events at GFS have made visible. As part of a preparatory pedagogy that considers memory spaces as real, living, and delicate, she has prepared a set of rhetorical practices, questions, and considerations that students can think about before visiting the site.

Karina reflects on walking methodologies she has used in her research on how the global and national attention shapes the place. Walking in a car dominating city requires a purpose – one walks with an intention. Walking itself, as an attentive movement through space, becomes an act of remembering. Students who visited GFS were invited to pay attention to their movement and engagement in the place as well as to their own emotional experience of being there.

This is two years in the making. Students and faculty members spent the whole morning organizing a departmental library that celebrates our missions and values in supporting a community where all can thrive. In this community space, we complement and support one another.

A library reflects the soul and spirit of its holders. It holds the scholarship, mission, and vision for our shared future.

Support CLA Students on Student Support Day! 🎓

For the past five years, emergency support funds have helped hundreds of CLA students stay on track when unexpected financial challenges hit. But State of Minnesota support ends this semester—and we’ll only be able to help 25% of eligible students without your help.

Today only: The first 20 new alumni donors who give $20.25 or more will unlock an extra $25 for the fund!

Join Dean Avilez and fellow alumni in supporting the CLA Student Emergency Fund—our most flexible and vital resource for students in crisis.

🔗:

I'm supporting the University of Minnesota Foundation! Help support academics and scholarships at the University of Minnesota.

🎉 A big congratulations to Dr. David Cram Helwich for winning the 2025 Award for Excellence in Academic Unit Service! 🎉

Dr. Cram Helwich exemplifies dedication and leadership in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota. His remarkable work with the Minnesota Forensics Team has significantly contributed to UMN's national visibility. Under his guidance, the team has achieved prestigious accolades, including top rankings in the American Debate Association standings .

His contributions extend far beyond competition. Through debate, Dr. Cram Helwich fosters public discourse, supports the recruitment of talented high school students—especially those from BIPOC and underrepresented groups—and creates educational opportunities that empower students to excel in their careers. His initiatives also promote collaboration across disciplines, enriching intellectual dialogue throughout our community.

Beyond his exceptional service, Dr. Cram Helwich is a brilliant educator and researcher. He engages students in critical thinking and nuanced debates through popular courses like Advanced Public Policy and Debate and Rhetoric and the 2024 Presidential Election. His groundbreaking research on the use of AI in debate, supported by a $10,000 grant, aims to make AI more transparent and aligned with human values. 🤖✨

Let’s celebrate Dr. Cram Helwich's dedication, brilliance, and unwavering commitment to our community! 🥳👏

We bring our strengths to our communities.
We empower our communities.
There is collective wisdom and strength when we support and empower each other to thrive.

of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication

Know your rights when dealing with ICE – AccessU: Born to Immigrants Know your rights when dealing with ICE March 3, 2025March 18, 2025 AccessU: Born to Immigrants asked Student Legal Services and the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee what you need to know if ICE approaches you or your family. Here’s what we learned. Byline: By Molly Stroh Students at the...

Summer offers the perfect opportunity to dive into creative, hands-on projects. With more flexible schedules and fewer distractions, it's the ideal season to focus on building real-world skills and unleashing your creative potential! 🌞🌈

Explore the world of sound and storytelling with our summer course, COMM3202 Audio Production and Podcasting! Whether you're a media enthusiast or a curious creative, this course will unlock the secrets of sound that shape our realities, stir emotions, and bring narratives to life. 🎧✨

What you'll gain:
✅ Hands-on experience with audio production and sound design.
✅ Skills to record, edit, mix, and produce professional-quality audio.
✅ Insights into how sound works across media like film, TV, radio, and music.
✅ The ability to pitch compelling stories, design immersive soundscapes, and craft persuasive voiceovers.

Summer's flexibility means you'll have time to immerse yourself in every step of the creative process—from brainstorming ideas to producing your final masterpiece. By the end of the course, you'll be ready to produce your own show and leave a lasting impression on audiences!

📅 Seats are limited, so enroll now to kick-start your journey into the art of sound!


of Liberal Arts | University of Minnesota
of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication🎶

Unlock the power of your voice! 📢✨ Public speaking is more than just talking—it's about inspiring, persuading, and leading with confidence. Whether you're preparing for career growth, personal development, or simply conquering your fear, a public speaking class is your gateway to success.
Take the Remote, 3-credit Class during the May Session.
This class also meets the LE requirement of Civic Life & Ethics.
Watch your communication skills soar! 🚀

Also, Dr. Carly Byrnes talked about the benefits of taking Public Speaking online during the summer with MN Daily. https://mndaily.com/.../campus.../umn-summer-session-begins/



of Liberal Arts | University of Minnesota

Looking to enhance your understanding of communication within families and relationships?
Join our engaging online summer courses:
COMM 4471: Communication in Marriage and Family
COMM 3999W: Capstone Project!

COMM 4471 provides an in-depth exploration of family dynamics, interactions, and communication patterns. Through an interdisciplinary approach incorporating communication, psychology, and sociology, students will examine topics such as marital satisfaction, parent-child relationships, sibling bonds, and the impact of family communication on mental and physical health. Discussions will also cover critical issues like divorce, stepfamilies, and family dysfunctions, providing valuable insights into improving family relationships.

For those fulfilling their Capstone Requirement, COMM 3999W offers a unique opportunity to conduct independent research on family communication. Students will engage in qualitative research, including interviews and literature reviews, to analyze family identity, culture, and storytelling. This hands-on experience will strengthen research skills and critical thinking while preparing students for future academic and professional endeavors.

Both courses are fully online and asynchronous, allowing you to learn at your own pace while staying engaged with thought-provoking discussions and assignments. Don't miss this chance to deepen your understanding of family communication—register today for Summer 2025!


of Liberal Arts | University of Minnesota

PLEASE SHARE:
A new open-access textbook for introductory undergraduate communication classes is now available to read and download from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

“Communication in Practice,” an innovative introductory textbook written by Jeremy Rose, focuses on teaching useful concepts and frameworks that readers can use in their professional lives to more effectively lead a group, resolve a conflict, or increase their credibility.

Written with undergraduate students in mind, “Communication in Practice” presents classic research and communication theories in accessible and approachable language. Among other topics, this textbook illustrates why being perceived as brilliant can be risky, describes what “Zoom fatigue” teaches us about what our brains seek out in online interactions, and illuminates what the “Boaty McBoatface” phenomenon can teach us about empowerment.

The textbook will be used in introductory communication classes at the University of Minnesota starting in 2025 and will replace a highly popular and recently unpublished communication textbook.

Communication in Practice – Simple Book Publishing Book Description: This approachable and conversational textbook is intended for undergraduate communication courses. Dr. Jeremy Rose draws from an accomplished lecturing career to explore the fundamentals of communication with media examples and real world scenarios.

What an exciting day today. Friday Noon Seminar takes place on the same day as Admit Day when all of our admitted students for Fall 25 show up to meet our current students.

So happy to meet you. We know joy is contagious. When you see someone having so much fun with their hard work and imagination, it just makes you want to be part of the team, don't you💕

Come join us🥳✨🎉

A huge congratulations to Carmen Sims, Mark Usem, Tucker Marks, and Dr. Ron Greene for receiving the 2024-2025 CLA Outstanding Service Award! This well-earned recognition highlights their incredible efforts as the workgroup behind the Inaugural KKC Speaker Series.

Stay tuned for our next KKC Speaker Series event in Fall 2025—we can’t wait to see you there! 🎉

The Department of Communication Studies is gearing up for our Admit Day on 3/7, when graduate students accepted into our doctoral program for Fall 2025 come for a visit.

It is an exciting time as people share their dreams and visions for the years to come and meet the faculty members and friends who will be cheering for them along the way.

Meet Dr. Kristen Einertson, one of our 2024 PhD graduates! Through her research on Cold War archives, she's uncovering how Baltic-American communities shaped US foreign policy. When she's not diving into historical documents, you'll find her in the classroom helping students become more engaged citizens.

Fun fact: she's also a third-generation !

Meet Dr. Kristen Einertson, 2024 Doctoral Graduate Dr. Kristen Einertson has found an academic home that supports her growth as a teacher and a scholar in the Department of Communication Studies.