The luncheon/lecture part of the communication department’s annual week-long COM Week series started strong with more than 60 students, faculty and staff attending today’s presentation featuring Dr. Daniel Mansson.

Mansson, an assistant communication professor at Pennsylvania State University-Hazelton, gave advice on how to be a successful in a graduate program.

He spoke from his own experiences as well as from a researcher’s perspective. He has studied teacher/student mentoring relationships, how students express academic concern, and other academic- and relationship-related topics.

Mansson’s formula for success

Mansson suggested a simple formula for graduate school success: “Motivation + Mentoring + Methods = Mastery.” His presentation focused on those four M’s, demonstrating how each might be used to gain an advantage in challenging circumstances.

Those with the motivation to learn and find the right tools to help them along the way will have access to faculty mentors. And through interactions with faculty who can lend support and guidance comes research opportunities, enhancing training in the methods. All will culminate in the mastery desired to contribute to the field.

More COM Week to come

COM Week continues tomorrow with alumni speakers Jason Stouder, vice president of Progressive Bike Ramps, and Kris Inman, training and education manager for Springfield-Greene County 911 Emergency Communications. All COM Week presentations this week comes with a free lunch.

Event details
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (presentation begins at noon)
Location: Plaster Student Union, Robert W. Ballroom West
Admission: Free and open to the public

For a list of all COM Week activities, visit the communication department website or University events calendar.