YCP Communication & Writing

Collaboration in Motion: What’s Next for The Uninvited Guests?

When you hear “invasive species in York County”, what comes to mind?

While your first thought may have been an insect, like the spotted lanternfly or the marmorated stinkbug, there are actually 140 species of invasive plants in Pennsylvania alone. Despite looking like common flora, many of these invasive plant species are incredibly harmful to the natural environment. “Some of these invasive species can be quite aggressive, and they are displacing natural habitats,” explained Professor AnaLu MacVean (Environmental Horticulture) in her short documentary The Uninvited Guests. “The public needs to know.”

Created alongside Professor Emily Rund (Film and Media Arts), the film aimed to educate the general public about many invasive plant species found in York County. Following its premiere at the Celebration of Collaboration event on April 16th, 2026, we’re reconnecting with Professors MacVean and Rund to reflect on The Uninvited Guests. We take a look back at the film’s creation, its future, and the unique cross-disciplinary partnership that brought together 20 students from two very different programs.

You can read the entire article here: https://www.ycp.edu/news/collaboration-motion-whats-next-uninvited-guests

You can watch the documentary here: https://youtu.be/Or3kaXzHPm8?si=jwPS-eFMGURmezoE

Come celebrate 50 years of WVYC York College of PA with us!

SAVE THE DATE Saturday, October 3, 2026 • 6-8:00 p.m.
Let's celebrate 50 years of WVYC York College of PA
Alumni Hall, West Campus Community Center
York College of Pennsylvania

YCongratulations to Professor Emily Rund's and her Mass Communication students on their short documentary "The Uninvited Guests"

This film was created through interdisciplinary collaboration between
Professor AnaLu MacVean's Environmental Horticulture Plant Taxonomy class & Emily Rund's Documentary Filmmaking class

You can watch it on the department's Youtube channel here:

The Uninvited Guests - a Documentary Short This film was created through interdisciplinary collaboration betwe...

York College Students Put Design Skills to Work for Cooking Up Connections

Students spent a semester creating materials to help the York-based nonprofit, which blends food, culture, and community, to communicate more effectively with its various audiences.

Read the whole story here: https://www.ycp.edu/news/york-college-students-put-design-skills-work-cooking-connections

After decades of working in the United States Federal Government and teaching at York College, Communication and Writing Adjunct Prof. Charles Kauffman took his diverse language skills to Austria. There, he taught an international language course at FH-Kufstein Tirol, University of Applied Sciences.

Read the story here: https://www.ycp.edu/news/faculty-spotlight-adjunct-prof-charles-chip-kauffman-spends-semester-teaching-kufstein

Did you know that the department has a YouTube Channel that showcases student work from our Film and Media Arts, Mass Communication, and Sport Media Programs?

You can check it out here:

YCP, Department of Communication and Writing Welcome! This is the channel belongs to The York College of Pennsylvania Departments of Communication and Writing, Film & Media Arts, Mass Communication, Sports Media, and E-Sports.

Students Lead Artistic Creativity Course for Lifelong Learning Initiative (LLI) Participants

For the past two months, students in Dr. Travis Kurowski’s CRW 273: Creativity course have worked together to turn what they’ve learned about creativity theory and process into a lesson plan. On April 20, they gathered in the West Campus Community Center and invited LLI participants to take part in the course through a series of small artistic projects.

Read the full article here: https://www.ycp.edu/news/students-lead-artistic-creativity-course-lifelong-learning-initiative-lli-participants

🏆 The 2026 BEA Rankings are in, and the Department of Communication and Writing is showing up strong. Our overall Mass Communication program ranks 50th nationally, with Audio at #15 and Screenwriting at #18. Proud of our students and faculty for the work that earns recognition like this.

Congratulations to Professor Susan Schrack Wood (FCO and Mass Communication Programs) on her recent recognition for her research on improving environmental health communication!

When Professional Writing major Maddie French '27 visited the U.K. on a family trip, she knew she wanted to find a way to return someday. Thanks to a global partnership between YCP and the York College in England, she'll be doing just that. Read our latest article to find out how she'll be going from York, Pennsylvania to York, England for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: https://bit.ly/4sYFKjH