School of Communication at Illinois State University

09/04/2026

We got to celebrate quite a few faculty and staff this week at the College of Arts and Sciences' annual Welcome and Awards Program! Not to brag (ok, maybe a little to brag), but COM was the only department or school represented in all three categories: Teaching, Research and Service & Staff.

Outstanding College Creative Activity Award: Dr. Fernando Severino
Outstanding College Staff Award: Elizabeth L. Chupp
Outstanding Teaching Award, AP: Steve Suess
Outstanding College Researcher Award: Dr. Caleb T. Carr

Photos also feature Dean Heather Dillaway, Kyah Joseph, and Sparty.

08/28/2026

Excited to see one of our amazing COM students, Medi Lembelembe, featured in this month's CASNews!

Meet Medi Lembelembe, a student in the College of Arts and Sciences.

08/25/2026

It was a fabulous day for Festival ISU!

In all the crowded, fun chaos, I think we missed a couple RSO tables, but those we saw looked fantastic.

08/21/2026

Fall into Fell was so much fun! Thanks to all the RSOs and media that participated, and the students who came out! If you missed it, nearly everyone will be at Festival ISU this coming week as well.

08/17/2026

After orientation this past weekend, our new scholars are ready to hit the books!

08/10/2026

We love to see Dr. Severino featured in CASNews!

Meet Dr. Fernando Severino, associate professor in the School of Communication and Latin American and Latino/a studies Program.

06/26/2026

COMbirds in Paris! A group of COM majors, along with Professor Lance Lippert, are in Paris right now soaking up French culture (and croissants) and learning about international issues in organizational communication. We love Fell Hall, but Notre Dame... 😍

Thanks for the photos, Baily Pierceall and Gabby Elless!

06/25/2026

One of the best things we get to do in COM is celebrating our COMbirds' successes. A group of our graduate students, mentored by Dr. Carr, just heard that a project they worked on all year will be published in the research journal Psychological Reports! Congrats to Deborah Pappoe, Alfred Obiri, and Elvis Otoo!

Obiri, A. K., Pappoe, D. A. S., Otoo, E. K., & Carr, C. T. (in press). Finding freudenfreude: Deriving subjective well-being from passive observation of a relational tie’s happiness via social media post. Psychological Reports.

06/23/2026

Communication and PR aren't always about products and brands, sometimes they are about issues and working with the community to help solve tough problems. The School of Communication's public relations campaigns capstone course worked with YWCA McLean County to develop messaging and communication strategies about the childcare crisis locally and statewide this spring.

The rising cost of childcare isn't a concern for most college students. Illinois State students, however, are seeking solutions for the Bloomington-Normal community.

06/22/2026

The lowkey MVPs of the School of Communication are our academic advisors. Liz, Kate, Abbie and Sarah (not pictured, but loved!) literally know everything and are always there to help COM students and faculty alike. ♥