Registration started  Monday for the spring semester, can you feel the stress/relief/anxiety in the air?  It’s that time of the year when faculty and students meet to plan for the upcoming semester and check their progress towards graduation.   Some of you have registered already, and others have a few weeks to wait until their window opens. I thought that it would be a good time to let you know about a few things relative to scheduling now and in the future.

• Recently we added a new feature to our department webpage that outlines what courses we expect to offer in the next three years, including the way in which we will offer it. This is our 3-year course rotation with delivery mode (this means whether a course is offered during the day, evening, online, blended or intersession). This is an important tool for you to use in planning your upcoming semester.  Please refer to it as you work with your advisor each semester because it shows you which semester we offer specific courses so you know to take a class that is only offered in the spring or fall or both.  This is an important tool for planning your graduation semester too!
• Are you a Senior who is intending to graduate in the spring semester?  Listen up!  You need to enroll in COM 499 and GEN 499–they are different graduation requirements.   In order to register for COM 499, you need to email me (Dr. Wood) and request permission.  When you do this, I will review your audit and email you with permission to add the course, along with comments about outstanding issues you need to get resolved. GEN 499 is open registration and you select a date on which to take your university assessment exam.  Let me know if you have any questions.

For spring semester, we have a few new course offerings that I’d like to share with you.

Three Undergraduate Intersession Courses

• COM 397:   Political Speechwriting
  Instructor: Nora F. Cox  Jan 03, 2011 – Jan 07, 20111:00 pm – 4:00 pm Craig Hall, 0331
• COM 397:  Semiotics: Communication of Signs and Symbols
  Instructor: Randy K. Dillon 9:00 am – 12:00 pm MTWRF Craig Hall 0331 Jan 03, 2011 – Jan 07, 2011
• COM 331: Employment Interviewing
  Instructor:  Allison R. Coltharp 9:00 am – 12:00 pm MTWRF Craig Hall 0337 Jan 03, 2011 – Jan 07, 2011

Full Semester Special Topics Courses

Interpersonal majors
Topic: Communication Issues in Mental Health Problems Studies in Communication Theory and Practice – 24198 – COM 597 – 901
Studies in Communication Theory and Practice – 24199 – COM 698 – 901Instructor:  Dr. Isabelle Bauman. This course is blended. It will consist of an intensive face to face weekend format over 2 weekends (April 1-3 and April 15-17) with a 2-4 week online segment between them. Information will be provided the first day of class or you can contact Dr. Isabelle Bauman for details.Organizational Com majors
Topic: Conflict Systems Design in Organizations. Studies in Communication Theory and Practice – 22530 – COM 597 – 902
Studies in Communication Theory and Practice – 22532 – COM 698 – 902 Instructor:  Dr. Stephanie Norander.  This course is blended. It will consist of three Saturday face-to-face meetings (January 15th, February 5th, and February 26th) and online work in between each session. Information will be provided the first day of class or you can contact Dr. Stephanie Norander for details.

Things you should do!  –> Attend a Department of Communication Presentation

Open to faculty and students from all departments

Speaker:  Dr. Randy Dillon, Internship Director
Title:  Communication Internships: The Good, the Bad, and the Not So Pretty!

Monday, November 8, 11:50 am to 12:40 pm, Craig Hall 337.  Light refreshments will be provided

You probably have heard from faculty that internships can be good for students.  Internships occur in the “real world” and along with the good, there are sometimes some bad, and even downright ugly things about internships.  Dr. Dillon will share findings from a study he has conducted asking Missouri State University Communication students to report on their internship experiences.  You may be surprised to hear what these students have to say.  Utilizing the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, where scholarly inquiry works to improve the practice of teaching and student learning, results of the study are already influencing and changing the way that internships are being approached and carried out.       

Or, maybe you are considering Graduate School?

Why is graduate school a great choice?  Conduct research with top-tier faculty.  Increase your earning power.   Capitalize on an affordable education with flexible course offerings.  Learn about all these and more by attending  the Graduate College Showcase on Wednesday, November 10 from 3-7pm in the PSU ballroom.  You can learn about the 48 graduate programs MSU offers, 20 certificate programs, accelerated master’s programs, and scholarships/assistantships.   Not only that, you can talk with faculty in COM about our Masters program, graduate assistantships, certificate programs, and our accelerated program.

Are you interested in Intercultural Communication? 

If so, put this date on your calendar, November 18th at 5 o’clock in Craig Hall 334.  Faculty and students  interested in intercultural communication can gather together, share some pizza, and talk about the major, projects to work on, and careers.  More information will be shared soon.

That’s all for now…happy registering!

This was the first year I participated in COM Week events.  I had heard of it before, but never made it to any of the events.  I began the week with some preconceived expectations and assumptions, but I also set my mind to it that I would go to every event the week had to offer.  I am so thankful that I did because COM Week far surpassed anything that I expected from it.  Not only did I take away valuable information pertaining to communication as a profession, I learned beneficial lessons one is not likely to be exposed to in a classroom.  I would like to share with you the top ten things I learned during the course of COM Week 2010.

10.  In case you didn’t know, the Communication Department is pretty awesome.  Although I have been a student in the Communication Department for two years now, I honestly did not know how amazing it really was until COM Week.  The COM Showcase on Monday allowed me to get in-depth information on the various opportunities and organizations within the department.  I learned about options I never knew existed and met some awesome people in the process.  There are so many wonderful organizations in the COM Department, and speaking with the members and faculty advisors of those organizations made me want to be a part of all of them.  Just hearing some of the opportunities that the members of different organizations have been presented with really makes you wonder why you didn’t get involved sooner.  All of the communication organizations do some really cool things you would not even imagine and you get to tack that on as “experience,” count me in.  You learn how easy it is to become involved and stay involved at COM Week.  Plus, when I show up at an event or meeting for these organizations, I will know some familiar faces, which always makes new things a bit easier. 

9.  The instructors in the Communication Department want to help you succeed.  I wouldn’t call this a new lesson, as we all have undoubtedly received help from our advisors or professors, but during COM Week it really shows how much they do care even if you are total strangers.  COM Week gave me the chance to meet faculty within the COM Department I had never taken any of the courses they instruct or even spoken to before.  All were happy to attend events and speak with students, even if they could only stop by for a few minutes.  Dr. Galanes even conducted a workshop on ethical leadership in communication.  She is the person at Missouri State to talk to about leadership, being the Provost Fellow for the Public Affairs Mission this year.  Not hesitating to fit in time to share her knowledge and insights into valuable lessons she has learned, is a fine example of how much our faculty really does care. 

8. “Every idea has an expiration date” –Sean Wheeler.  As communicators, we always have to keep learning and evolving.  You will never stop your education, even after graduation has come and gone.  Be open to new things, always looking at trends and keeping up with the times.  Dr. Galanes urges us to be able to adapt; a characteristic of a good leader is flexibility and openness to new ideas. 

7. Alumni are not scary or intimidating, and I cannot wait to be one.  The alumni were all excited to be back on campus and speaking with students.  Several alums even traveled hundreds of miles to come back and share some wisdom with students and visit with faculty.  Each one was relatable and helpful, easily approachable and enthusiastic.  I cannot wait to be in their shoes, coming back to share my experiences with future communication students.

6. One thing that seemed to be the common tip given by alumni is to be well versed.  Take classes in other disciplines, whether it is business, accounting, or any other course, those ahead of us recommend branching out into other departments.  A broad knowledge base may make you a better candidate for employment, a better employee, and may make working with others easier. 

5. Lead.  As communication majors, we are often the influencers of the publics so it is important to be a good leader. It is imperative to “become an expert” in your field but always be open to learning more.  Read often.  Take yourself out of your comfort zone and just do the best you can. 

4. Engage.  Whether it is after you have discovered, listened and learned about what people have to say in social media or handling everyday tasks, it is essential to engage.  When it comes to social media, Sean Wheeler advises talking, energizing, supporting, and embracing.  However, these strategies can be applied to everyday life as well.  As much as I try, I can’t do everything by myself.  COM Week taught me to how important it is to connect with others, whether it is networking, brainstorming, or trying to complete a task, it is important to have others involved. 

3. Change.  We are the leaders of tomorrow.  Think things over and always be aware of how your actions affect others.  Always both inspire and embrace change. 

2. Leaders learn by example.  Find a mentor or sponsor, someone who you can look up to and learn from.  Leaders are always searching for more and someone who can advise and guide you in at this point in our education is a great idea.  This goes along with finding new opportunities, branching out, and always exploring. 

1.  You have got to get out there!  Whether it is COM Week, or really any opportunity you have to possibly learn something new or challenge yourself, you have got to make that effort and try.  Opportunities do not always just come to you; sometimes you have got to put in the effort to seek them.  I walked away from COM Week with a list of new networking contacts, too many possible opportunities and things I wanted to be involved with to count, and valuable knowledge about the professional world of communication.  If I had not gone, I would never know what I missed out on.  The fact that I did attend and ended the week with so much more than what I started with makes me never want to miss anything like this again.  You really never know, until you go.

Kiersten Bagley

What’s going on this week?

There are two workshops you may still attend this week, Tuesday & Wednesday. Each workshop provides a unique opportunity to get one-on-one contact with local alums about careers in COM and applying for scholarships. Each session is intended to be hands-on, a sort of training or workshop, to help you directly with developing career preparation.  All workshops are free, but we request that you register. We want to keep these classes small so that you can get one-on-one interaction with the alum.  You can register now in Craig Hall, room 375 or by email communication@missouristate.edu.  You may register the day of the session too.

Tuesday, Sept 21 at 3:30, with Sean Wheeler:  see this link for more information.

Wednesday, Sept 22 at 1:00, with Gloria Galanes: see this link for more information.

Then Friday, we host the Networking Luncheon from 11:45-1:15 in PSU Ballroom East. Here you will have the opportunity to sit with alums and get their tips and advice directly. The dress is business casual for the luncheon as you will be meeting and talking with local professionals who will be coming right from work. Below is a short list of those already signed up to attend.  Do you want to work in St. Louis? You’ll want to talk with Amy Horton. Want to stay at MSU and work through graduate school?  Talk with Stuart Davis or Debbie Branson.  Want to work in development? Talk with Tracy McGrady.  Want to work in Kansas City?  Talk with Melissa Jackson. These folks are HERE to talk with YOU!  Some plan to join us for a great lunch and good networking opportunities.

• Jim Anderson, President Springfield, Chamber of Commerce
• Melinda Arnold, Marketing Director, the Zoo
• Stuart Davis, MSU Director of Marketing and Promotions Athletics
• Debbie Branson, MSU Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
• Karen Eckert, law student at UMSL
• Amy Horton, International Communication, Boeing
• Melissa Jackson, Senior Supervisor of Public Affairs for the KC Federal Reserve
• Tracy McGrady, Director of Grants Development, OTC

The lunch is $10 cost, but you also get a COM WEEK shirt, which will be available the day of the luncheon. If you have a class that meets during one of the scheduled activities, you might ask your instructor about attending it as a whole class. If that’s not an option, then see about you attending and writing a short reflection on your experience with the sessions or luncheon.  It never hurts to ask.

Please make plans to attend at least one or two of these events. The department covers most all of cost of these events for you (except the lunch, and you get t-shirt too) and alums are providing their services free of charge, so DO take advantage of these great opportunities for YOU to get some tips and advice on leading and getting engaged in this age of information.

As always, if you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me directly.  Sign up forms are in Craig 375 or send an email to communication@missouristate.edu.

Kelly Wood

What is COM Week really all about?

September 20-24 is COM WEEK: Lead, Engage, Change. We host this event every fall semester in order to provide you with an opportunity to interact with alums who are willing to share their career and professional experiences with you. The year we’ve themed it around the Public Affairs Theme, Leading in a Global Society.  The idea is that as you attend the interactive workshops or the luncheon, you get tips and strategies for how to use your communication degree in unique and exciting ways by people with COM degrees who know what it’s like out there.  In other words, this week is all for YOU!  We want to help you succeed with your COM degree.  Here is the rundown of events for your calendar.

Monday, Sept. 20, 10 AM-2 PM, Craig Lobby: COM Showcase: Explore the options for engagement with the COM Department through student organizations, internships, majors/minors, and graduate programs.

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 3:30 PM, Craig 315: “ Social Media is Changing How We do Business: Are you ready?”  Free, RSVP encouraged

INFO: This will be an interactive session lead by COM alum, Sean Wheeler.  Sean is an account director with Barkley, a full service PR firm in Kansas City.  Come to this session to get real information about how social media is impacting businesses and how YOU can be prepared to enter that world. 

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1 PM, Craig 311: “Leadership in Communication: What Does it Mean to You?”  Free, RSVP encouraged

INFO:  In this interactive session, you’ll address questions like: What does effective leadership look like? And how does it really work?  Led by Dr. Gloria Galanes and working from this year’s Public Affairs theme, this session will help you develop a better understanding of how leadership works and you might just be surprised at what you’ll learn.

Student/Alumni Networking Luncheon
Friday, September 24^th
11:30-1:30 PM
PSU Ballroom East

$10 for lunch, t-shirt, and networking/mentoring opportunities
RSVP required

To RSVP: E-mail mailto:communication@missouristate.edu or pick up a form in Craig 375 

Keep your eye out for posters and information in your classes.  For additional information or questions, please email Kiersten Bagley, coordinator of COM Week. 

Well, it’s the start of the fall semester and you are pumped, right?  You are ready for new classes, new professors, new found freedom after living at home this summer, promises you’ll study more this fall, you’ll get that resume started, you’ll eat better or workout more, and you’ll  stick to a new plan and keep your enthusiasm up.  You’ve said or thought all this, right?  Who hasn’t…even faculty members do this every fall. In fact, most faculty will tell you that’s what they love about teaching college–the fresh new start every fall with new students, new classes, plans to get more work done, plans to get papers graded and returned more quickly, a new diet or exercise routine, get the office organized (again), and the list goes on.  Students and faculty are more alike than you may realize.

We had a fresh start this past Monday when we had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly remodeled 3rd floor classrooms in Craig Hall. Don’t they look great! 

Cutting the ribbon are Dean Carey Adams, Sara Gwin (PR major), and President Cofer. 

 Now it’s official.  We also bid a fond (or not-so-fond) farewell to the burlap wallpaper.  See ya!   And had commemorative swatches as giveaways at the event.

Finally, for those of you who are new to this blog, welcome. As a COM major or minor I will email you new posts directly. It’s important that you know what’s going on in the department, so I will provide relevant information on opportunities and events that we provide to you.

Join our Department of Communication FB page. You can “like” it and find really good information there, just as you can here. The blog and FB page are linked. 

While you are on the FB page, Like it!  Also, check out the event page for information about COM Week 2010:  Lead, Engage, Change.

Have a great semester and look for more information on COM Week 2010 and other student opportunities in next week’s InCommon updates.

Kelly Wood,

Department Head, Communication

Do you remember teachers asking you that question when you returned to school after summer? It’s a classic first day of class activity no matter what grade level.  I like to ask that question of my new students as an ice breaker on the first day of class.  Why?  I like hearing about the awesome trips they took, concerts they went to, tight spots they got themselves into, and generally enjoying seeing their enthusiasm when talking about the summer.

You may be surprised to know that COM faculty like to talk about their summers too. They travel to exotic locales, write articles, collect data, spend time with family, and generally prep for the coming year.   Summer is the best time to prepare for teaching.  Some faculty are preparing for a new class this fall, while others are revising their power point slides or adding new movie or tv clips.  Still others are adding online elements and activities to their courses.  I encourage you to ask faculty what they did with their summer break when you return to campus.

There is much change going on in Craig hall this summer.  If you are a frequent inhabitant of Craig hall, you spend lots of time in classrooms on the 3rd floor–those 1970s decorated rooms with blackboards in some rooms, water-stained or missing ceiling tiles, and the the oh-so-lovely “burlap wallpaper.”  You know, that stuff your hair sticks to when you sit on the back row or something you pick at when sitting next to the wall.

This summer, all the 3rd floor classrooms are being remodeled and the burlap wallpaper is now officially removed!  Here are the pictures to prove it.

Here are the “during construction” pictures of Craig 337.

All the rolls on the floor are the burlap wallpaper and the tubes hanging from above is the ductwork (they pulled all the old ceiling tiles off so the ducts are hanging).  Notice the floor tiles are removed as well.  Hard to believe!

When you return in August, all the classrooms will be updated with white walls, and an accent grey wall.    You may walk into a room and not know where you are.  I’ll post some more progress pictures later in the summer and you’ll see even more changes!

Keep enjoying your summer.

Kelly Wood