How do you get involved on campus?  What are things you can do to feel connected to your major or the university as a whole?  Tell me some things you do…post a comment below. I’d love to hear from you about ways you get involved…

Trapped in the System: Diversity Dialogue

Ever feel trapped in the system yourself?  Would you like to understand the issues of immigration?  Please consider attending a diversity dialogue taking place tomorrow night. It’s a panel discussion surrounding issues of immigration and it includes: a Missouri State Representative whom chairs the House Committee on Higher Education, a local City Councilman, two community leaders one from Springfield and one from Kansas City, the MSU Diversity Outreach Coordinator, Associate Provost for Faculty & Chairperson of the President’s Commission for Diversity, a Equal Opportunity Officer & Member of the President’s Commission for Diversity, The Student Body President, and four student representatives. This panel is going to be a great way to get knowledge from direct sources on Immigration and how it effects college students and higher education generally.

The Panel will be held on October 10th in the Parliamentary room in Plaster Student Union from 7-9 p.m. Refreshments will be available and please encourage all you can to come and participate at this event.

TIP:  If you go, take notes and write up a reflection of how communication concepts were present in the discussion and submit it to one of your COM professors.

Advising Notes

COM 100: Introduction to the Major/Minor in Communication is a perfect course for all new majors and transfer students. If you are in that group, I strongly recommend this course to you. I’ll be team teaching this course with Sam Dyer this year.  We review all the majors, discuss course sequencing, include visits from all the faculty, and generally introduce students to the discipline of communication.

There is still time to register for it THIS semester, MW 2-2:50, second block begins tomorrow. Otherwise, as you are planning for Spring 2008 scheduling, include it in the list of courses planned!

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COM Professional Student Organizations

Another way to get involved is participating in a student professional organization within the COM department.  I’ve listed our organizations below along with contact information. Also, there are bulletin boards near the 3rd floor elevator of Craig Hall with information about these organizations. Check them out.

1. IABC: International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
Purpose: The International Association of Business Communicators is a professional organization with more than 13,000 members worldwide. MSU has an almost 20-year-old student chapter of this organization. Our student chapter provides opportunities to make valuable networking contacts and interactions with professionals in the field of public relations and corporate communication. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sam Dyer. President: Sara Tate

2.  Association for Women in Communication (AWC)
Purpose: The Association for Women in Communications is a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership, and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era. Faculty Advisor:  Valerie Turner.  President: Katie Reed

3. Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
Purpose: The purpose of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is to provide students a professional organization that is committed to the discipline of public relations. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Susan Waters. President: Emilee Mudd