University of Montevallo Department of Communication

08/22/2026

Congratulations to Jude Copeland who won Sidewalk Film's Best Alabama Short Screenplay for Any Wrong Step! Jude is a Junior who is pursuing a Media and Film Production major with a Digital Filmmaking minor in our University of Montevallo Mass Communication Program!

07/01/2026

opportunities to learn about the realities, complexities and opportunities of civic life and career paths with the new Civic Leadership Program housed in our department!

As we celebrate 250 years of the United States of America, the University of Montevallo is investing in the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation through our new Civic Leadership degree program. 🇺🇸🏛️

This program will empower students to build stronger communities, champion public engagement and lead with purpose while encountering the realities, complexities and opportunities of civic life and career paths.

The next 250 years start with you! Learn more about the new Civic Leadership degree program on our website → https://bit.ly/4ggLbai 🔗 💜💛

06/12/2026

With today's approval from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, we are excited to launch the brand new Civic Leadership major which will be housed in the University of Montevallo Department of Communication this fall!

The program focuses on training students in ethical leadership and public accountability; communication, advocacy, and public engagement; civic knowledge, citizenship and social responsibility; and management, administration, and organizational leadership. The program will prepare students for the realities, complexities, and opportunities of civic life and career paths.

Learn more here: https://vallovisionnews.com/2026/02/25/new-civic-leadership-major-coming-to-the-university-of-montevallo/

05/01/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Sally Bennett Hardig who has been designated Professor Emerita of Communication Studies! Fun Fact: Dr. Hardig is the first woman in our department and first COMS professor to be designated Professor Emerita! 💜💛🧱🏆

05/01/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Walker (Class of 2008) who has been tenured and promoted to Associate Professor of Communication Studies! We are excited that years with Dr. Walker on our faculty! 💜💛🧱🏆

04/08/2026

for generations of students, faculty, and staff in our department and the University of Montevallo Communication Studies Program because of our dear colleague Dr. Sally Bennett Hardig who is retiring at the end of the semester after spending her entire career teaching at UM!

We celebrated her retirement by renaming the Communication Studies Civic Engagement & Community Service Award the Dr. Sally Bennett Hardig Communication Studies Civic Engagement & Community Service Award. Henceforth, this award will recognize a student who has made a significant contribution to society through volunteerism, community service and civic engagement, as exemplified by Dr. Sally Bennett Hardig.

Take a trip down memory lane from 2002-2026 with these slides we shared at Honors Day today! 💜💛🧱

Drop a comment as to why Dr. Sally Bennett Hardig (or maybe you knew her as Ms. Sally Bell or Dr. Sally Bennett Bell) meant a lot to you during your time as a Communication Studies (or Communication Arts) major at UM!