CSU Department of Communication Studies

Ready to make a difference? There's still time to enroll in SPCM 486C: Civic Engagement! This course explores the Youth Civic Action Program, empowering you to build civic power, equity, and belonging. Don't miss out - email [email protected] to learn more about this impactful opportunity starting next week!

Happy International Friendship Day! 🎉

Today, we're highlighting fascinating insights from a 2-year study on American friendships by Assistant Professor Natalie Pennington.

Did you know? 98% of Americans report having at least one friend, and 58% have five or more. But here's the catch – while we're satisfied with our friend count, many of us wish we had more time to spend with them.

Learn more about the American Friendship Project and discover why making new friends feels challenging at any age and how we can nurture our existing friendships.

Are Americans suffering a friendship crisis? Study shows we don’t need more friends, just more time with those we already have - College of Liberal Arts Are Americans suffering a friendship crisis? Study shows we don’t need more friends, just more time with those we already have

The Aspen Conference brought engaged scholarship to CSU this weekend! Faculty, students, and alumni joined researchers from across the country to explore the future of community-engaged research in our field. Proud of our community!

Bridging cultures in the heart of Rome! 🏛️

Associate Professor Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager leads CSU students on an immersive journey of intercultural discovery this summer, blending classroom learning with real-world experiences.

"It has been a fulfilling and rewarding experience," said senior Hailey Neener. "I am grateful to be learning about culture with a group of unique individuals."⁠⁠

From thought-provoking lectures on Italian history to analyzing global communication strategies, students are expanding their cultural horizons. Learn more about this transformative program: https://communicationstudies.colostate.edu/2024/07/fostering-cross-cultural-communication-in-rome/

After a decade of visionary leadership, Professor Greg Dickinson is embarking on an exciting new chapter at Colorado State University. As he transitions from Chair of the Department of Communication Studies to lead the Joe Blake Center for Engaged Humanities, we celebrate his remarkable impact. 🎉

Under Dickinson's guidance, the department has flourished, introducing innovative programs and fostering community engagement. We're grateful for his dedication and hard work!

We warmly welcome Professor Elizabeth Williams as our new chair, ready to build on this strong foundation.

Read more about the department's decade of growth and innovation: https://communicationstudies.colostate.edu/2024/07/celebrating-professor-greg-dickinsons-decade-of-growth-and-innovation/

Happy 4th of July! Today, we celebrate the power of effective dialogue in upholding democracy. 🎆

As Pride Month comes to an end, we're reminded that inclusive communication matters, inspiring us to create spaces where all voices are heard and valued every day.

Summer is in full swing, and we're thinking of you! ☀️😎 Whether you're interning, traveling, or relaxing, what's been the highlight of your break so far? Tell us below! ️

Congrats to our Spring 2024 Dean’s List students! We’re so proud of you! 👏🏼

We’re so proud of one of our newest Ph.D.s, Michelle Matter! 👏

After an incredible six years at Colorado State University, Matter is embarking on the next phase of her academic journey. She accepted a tenure-track teaching position at Crown College in Saint Bonifacius, MN, and will move to the Minneapolis area later this summer. But before the move, she plans to enjoy a FOCO summer with hiking, camping, and visiting local breweries.

Reflecting on her time at CSU, Matter shared: “It's crazy how fast my years at CSU have gone. I love the people in this department, whether faculty, graduate students, or staff/admin. Everyone has been so incredibly supportive and kind (plus super intelligent!), and the education, research opportunities, and teaching experiences I've had here are top-notch.”

Matter leaves an incredible mark on the Department of Communication Studies. We wish her all the best as she embarks on this new adventure!

Congratulations to our Communication Studies students who earned their M.A. and Ph.D degrees last weekend! Your perseverance and scholarship are an inspiration. 🎓

Graduate Kyra Bowar shared: “I’m so grateful for my time in the Communication Studies department here at CSU; this wonderful community has made me a better teacher, scholar, and human being!”

Go change the world, Rams!

Congratulations to all our Communication Studies graduates. You did it! 💚💛

We’re incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will do.

After 42 years at Colorado State University, Professor of Communication Studies Carl Burgchardt is retiring, leaving behind an impactful legacy of empowering communicators. 🎉 ⁠
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"Burgchardt is a team player who cares about his students and colleagues," said former student and current professor Karrin Vasby Anderson. "He respects other people’s opinions, celebrates everyone’s accomplishments, and is a stalwart Ram through and through."⁠
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Congrats, Carl! We will miss you! Read the full story: https://communicationstudies.colostate.edu/2024/05/a-lifetime-of-empowering-communicators-celebrating-carl-burgchardts-legacy/

Congrats, John! 🎉👏

We're so proud of you and can't wait to see all the incredible things you will do!

We proudly announce Communication Studies major John Argenio as our Student Commencement Speaker.⁠
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From taking a gap year working with the Peace Corps to transferring to CSU to finding his passion for communication studies, Argenio shares his insights on navigating higher education from a non-traditional, first-generation perspective.⁠

“Professors and other people around were so willing to help and try to assist you to believe like, ‘Hey, this is something you can do,’” said Argenio.

“I was really lucky and thankful for that.”

To read the full story, click the link below.

https://col.st/voMUt

✨Senior Spotlight✨

Meet Grant Burkett! This Communications Studies major and Business Administration minor truly made the most of his time at CSU. From interning with the Better Business Bureau to help a local business win an ethics award, to co-founding SeeULocal to boost small businesses' online presence, Grant seized opportunities for impactful experiences.

Congrats to Grant and all our amazing Class of 2024 grads! We're so proud of you and can't wait to welcome you as a 🥳🐏

Congratulations to our outstanding Department of Communication Studies CLA award winners!

✨ Ziyu Long - Excellence in Teaching: Tenured Award

✨ Usama Alshaibi - Excellence in Undergraduate Mentorship Award

✨ Hye Seung Chung - Ann Gill Faculty Development Award

Additionally, Kit Hughes received the Provost Award for Faculty Excellence: 14’er.

These well-deserved awards were presented at last week's All-College Awards ceremony, honoring exceptional contributions to our department, students, and academic disciplines.

We’re so proud of our faculty and staff for their amazing accomplishments! Learn more about the 2024 CLA award winners: https://libarts.source.colostate.edu/celebrate-cla-faculty-and-staff-recognized-for-outstanding-contributions-to-teaching-research-and-service-in-2024/

Want to soak up some knowledge this summer? ☀️

Advance your degree with our four-week on-campus course offerings! From Communication and Popular Culture to Public Speaking, our summer courses are the perfect way to stay on track. Learn more: https://summer.colostate.edu/

Last chance to give to ACT Human Rights Film Festival!

Help ACT meet its match! With less than one day to go, you can triple your imPACT and help us achieve our goals. For every $10 you give, ACT will get $30 thanks to our generous sponsors.

https://ramfunder.colostate.edu/project/40812

Happy I Love CSU Day! 💚💛🐏

Your voice is invaluable to the Communication Studies department at CSU. Thank you for being a cherished part of our community. Tell us what you love about CSU in the comments! ⬇️

Check out the virtual lineup!

Missed the fest? Don't fret! Tickets to virtual films are $10 each, or get a pass to see as many as all 17 virtual films for $35! https://watch.eventive.org/act2024

CSU students can get 2 free virtual tickets with promo code "SLiCE24" thanks to support from SLiCE. Please note: ACT's virtual festival is ONLY available for viewers in Colorado.

Join us April 8-12, 2024 for the CSU Democracy Summit!

Immerse yourself in CSU's commitment to democracy through a dynamic weeklong celebration tailored for students, employees, and community members. All events are free and open to the public.

Visit https://col.st/1NuuH for a full list of events and details!

We can't wait!

See you TONIGHT!!! 💫📽️🫂

We can't wait to watch the incredible lineup of films at ACT Human Rights Film Festival! Get your tickets today!

On International Women's Day, Associate Professor Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager offers insightful analysis in a new article from The Conversation US tracing the cultural roots of alarming femicide rates in Italy to ingrained misogyny from the Roman Empire, Fascism and religious traditions, highlighting more must be done to uproot these patriarchal attitudes enabling ongoing violence against women.

Femicide in Italy: A modern phenomenon deeply rooted in country’s cultural past A spate of recent high-profile murders has put focus on the role of patriarchy and misogyny in persistent rates of anti-woman violence in Italy.

Our Student Celebration last month showcased the incredible hard work and talent of our students! From insightful presentations to captivating short films by Through The Student Lens: Colorado State University Student Film Festival, we were blown away by the amazing achievements on display. Keep shining bright, rams! We're so proud of you all. 💚

Catch this month's Insights Speaker Series at 4 p.m. today, celebrating Interdisciplinarity in Action! 🎉

Get ready for brief, exciting presentations, a Q&A session, and lively conversation. Free refreshments and a cash bar are available.

This event is moderated by Greg Dickinson, Chair of the Communication Studies Department. Open to all! Learn more: https://www.libarts.colostate.edu/events/insights-interdisciplinarity-in-action/

Join us on March 19 at 7 p.m. at Odell Brewing Co. to kick off the 9th annual Human Rights Film Festival! We'll unveil this year's movie lineup and screen trailers while you enjoy Odell's limited-edition ACT Brew. Stick around for trivia and giveaways, too.

RSVP for this free event at: https://advancing.colostate.edu/EVENTS/ACTKICKOFF2024

See you at the kickoff party! 🥳

"Studying abroad in Spain was a great opportunity to familiarize myself with a new culture. This transformative experience allowed me to come home with a fresh perspective on life and broadened my understanding of a culture different from my own." - Lily Sampson, Former participant

There's still time to apply for CSU's Communication Studies in Spain summer program! The deadline has been extended to March 1. Spend 3 weeks immersed in Spanish culture while earning credits. Learn more and apply today!

https://communicationstudies.colostate.edu/undergraduate-program/expanded-classroom/

Big thanks to our communication studies alumni who participated in our alumni panels last week! We appreciate you taking the time to provide invaluable advice, share your real-world knowledge, and offer guidance to our students.

If you missed these insightful sessions, check out the full recordings here: https://communicationstudies.colostate.edu/2024/02/csu-communication-studies-alumni-share-career-journeys-and-advice/

Thanks to everyone who came out last week and helped kick off Communication Studies Week at our open house! Special thanks to CSU Center for Public Deliberation, ACT Human Rights Film Festival, and others for sharing all your opportunities for students to get involved. 💚