SPS MS in Strategic Communication

Columbia SPS Strategic Communication student Troy Blackwell Jr. reflects on the powerful connection between ethical leadership, media, and public trust. 📰✨

In this piece, Troy explores why protecting press freedom is essential to fostering transparency and accountability in today’s information landscape.

“As I’ve grown as a communicator, I’ve come to understand that leadership is not just about decision-making authority. It’s about creating environments where truth can be spoken, dissent is respected, and people feel psychologically safe challenging narratives that may be incomplete or misleading.”

Congratulations to Columbia’s class of 2026! 🎓🦁

We are proud to see all that you have accomplished and cannot wait to see how you will shape the future. 💙

Congratulations to the class of 2026! 🩵🦁

Today’s the day! Congratulations Class of 2026! Let’s celebrate every step that got you here. Share your moments and tag us with .
Tune in to the livestreams to celebrate our grads!  SPS Graduation is available on the Commencement website for live, online viewing during the event. Recordings of the ceremony will be available for on-demand viewing on the Commencement website after the event.
Morning ceremony (10:30 A.M. ET) livestream: https://vimeo.com/event/5890197
Afternoon ceremony (featuring SCOM) (3:00 P.M. ET) livestream: https://vimeo.com/event/5890221

For Noah L. Rodriguez, Columbia’s Strategic Communication program deepened an already-established career in communications by expanding his understanding of strategy, storytelling, behavioral science, analytics, and human connection. Learning alongside faculty and classmates from diverse backgrounds challenged him to think differently about how people communicate, collaborate, and build trust.

“Effective communication is not just about delivering a message, but also understanding people.”

Noah’s biggest takeaway is a powerful reminder of what meaningful communication requires: listening, empathy, audience insight, and storytelling that truly connects.

For Xiaoqu Song, coming to New York City for graduate school marked the first time living away from home independently. Through the Strategic Communication program, she built confidence, broadened her perspective, and formed meaningful friendships with peers from different industries, cultures, and countries.

The program helped Xiaoqu graduate better understand the field and the path they hope to pursue. Their story reflects how Columbia SPS helps students grow not only as communication professionals, but as more curious, confident, and globally minded individuals.
Congratulations to Xiaoqu!

For Leah Kahan Columbia offered the opportunity to grow both as a communications professional and as an individual. Along the way, the support and inspiration of their cohort made the experience even more meaningful, creating connections that will last well beyond graduation.

From building lifelong relationships with classmates to launching an exciting new chapter at Airbnb Leahs’s journey reflects the lasting impact of the Strategic Communication program.

StudentSuccess

“I have always had a deep interest in the art of communication, Columbia taught me to respect its strategy.”

For Christopher C. Rangel , the journey was both intellectually and personally transformative. The program pushed him to grow in unexpected ways offering lessons in the field of communication, and a deeper understanding of themselves.

Strategic Communication at Columbia helps students discover their strengths, deepen their curiosity, and move forward with greater intention in both their academic and professional lives.

Congratulations to Christopher!

One of the most meaningful aspects of the Strategic Communication program for Micheal Ma was gaining a deeper understanding of how language, identity, and power intersect. Through exposure to sociolinguistic theories related to gender and identity, the program opened up a new way of thinking about communication as a system through which authority, influence, and meaning are constantly shaped.
Congratulations to Micheal!

For Khushi Mittal, graduate school in New York was the first of many unknowns. Coming to the program from Mumbai as the youngest student in her cohort, she faced the pressure of finding her place. But through the challenges of the classroom, leadership opportunities, and the fast pace of the city, she grew into a more confident communicator and leader.

From serving in ISAC and becoming an international peer mentor to earning the Heart of a Lion Award, her experience is a reminder that growth from having the courage to seek new experiences.