2015 – Harrison Connect

April 23, 2015woocw No Comments

SCOM Week 2015

The School of Communication Studies just wrapped up its 37th Annual Communication Studies Conference last week. The conference ran from April 13-15 and kicked off Monday night with the keynote address given by Dr. J. David Cisneros from the University of Illinois. Collectively, there were 25 papers presented by 50 students with 22 guest faculty discussants.

Beginning Tuesday morning and lasting till Wednesday afternoon, a variety of student speakers presented their research papers. The topics varied from communication and digital media, persuasion, identity, relationships, well-being, honors theses and more. Some papers had been completed and the presenters expounded on their findings, while others are still in the process of concluding and the outcomes were to be determined.

The director of the conference, Dr. Carlos Aleman, explained to the audiences how each presenter was hand picked by their professor. These students had displayed exceptional research, study and work habits and therefore had the honor of sharing their findings with those in attendance.

Furthermore, guests and speakers could follow along via social media, using the hashtag #SCOMcon2015 to see various pictures and updates throughout the week.

One presenter, Marlena Luciano (’16), talked about her experience presenting at the conference, “Presenting for SCOM week was an incredible experience. Although this was our first time conducting research, we still gained valuable practice in presenting a topic that interested us and received feedback from faculty and other professionals. It taught us the importance of continuing our knowledge in the field of communication by asking questions and finding answers through research.”

As in years past, Top Presentation honors are selected by faculty discussants’ assessments of the clarity of purpose, organization, professionalism, informative value, and level of engagement. This year the following presenters earning highest marks were:

“Crisis Communication and Sexual Assault on College Campuses.” (Julie Hirschhorn)

“Students as Neighbors Employing Dialogue and Deliberation to Manage Town-Gown Tensions.” (Lauren Holder, Courtney Herb & Alison Steed)

“Public Relations Promotion to Advance Child Reading and Literacy.” (Rosemarie McGinty)

To find out more about this year’s conference, the individual speakers and their topics, or information about previous years, you can visit their webpage by clicking here.

April 19, 2015woocw No Comments

Student Worker Appreciation Week: Honoring two members of our SCOM family

“Family,” a word used often by the SCOM Program Support Technician, Gretchen Hansen, has become a motif to describe the School of Communication Studies’ atmosphere and the people of Harrison Hall. As we near the end of the semester and a very busy April, it is important to recognize the members of our family that sometimes go unnoticed by the general body for their hard work and dedication to the success of our program.

In celebration of Student Worker Appreciation Week, April 13 through April 20, the SCOM family would like to honor Kelsey Evans and Logan Caldwell for their years of service in the SCOM office and their contributions to the School of Communication Studies.

April 15, 2015woocw No Comments

Alumni Advise Students for the Future

The Communications Studies Careers Conference, Taking Off to New Horizons: Ideas, Advice, Opportunities, was last week. Positive vibes and JMU love was spread throughout Harrison Hall as alumni advised students on life after college. There were sessions starting at 9:05am until 4:25pm on topics ranging from the different concentrations within SCOM, to résumé reviews, to mock interviews, to what to expect after graduation, and much more.

“The pot at the end of the rainbow may be filled with gold,” quotes alumnus Rob Burke (’85). With all class years in attendance at the conference, students asked questions relevant to all aspects of the communications field. However, transitioning out of college was an overarching topic Read more Alumni Advise Students for the Future

April 7, 2015woocw No Comments

The Organizational Communication Experience

Seniors in SCOM 450: Advanced Studies in Organizational Communication had nothing but positive feedback about their concentration and the professors within it. After understanding the theories and concepts related to Organizational Communication, students work in teams to apply them during their capstone class. Seniors explain that the concentration has taught them to work in teams, work toward an overarching mission, and understand different settings and clients while applying class concepts.

Throughout the semester, seniors have been working in teams to implement campaigns for organizations in the Harrisonburg community. Within each team are dyads and triads who work on social media, marketing, and event planning on behalf of their class client. Listed below are more details about each project which we encourage all SCOM students and faculty to continue supporting!

March 19, 2015woocw No Comments

Lambda Pi Eta

Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) is the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA). JMU’s chapter, Gamma Beta, was founded in 1994 and is part of the almost 300 chapters worldwide. LPH’s purpose is, “to educate and honor students in the field of communication, while giving them a forum within which they can voice opinions and be active in promoting understanding of the field through service on campus and in the community.”

In a recent interview with the chapter’s advisor, Professor April Roth, they recently inducted 20 new
members, which is roughly 30% more than last year.

Roth also mentioned that an advantage to being a part of LPH is being able to attend their meetings. LPH consistently has great speakers (such as Mark Anderson from C.A.P and Dr. Lori Britt) who present on building and enhancing resumes, how to utilize social media, and other great workshops. Members and those interested can also check out their bulletin board, located on the first floor of Harrison, for updates and upcoming events.

Furthermore, members are encouraged to join LPH’s executive team, which is voted on by those in the chapter.

“My favorite part of being in Lambda Pi Eta has been getting to hear all the great speakers we have had at each meeting,” stated Alyssa Wolf (’16), current vice president. “We have had all types of talks, from resume workshops to a speech on ‘The Most Important Lesson I Learned From My Communication Education.’ I always enjoy hearing what the speakers have to say and taking their great advice.”

Those interested in LPH are encouraged to attend their next meeting, which is on March 27 at 7 PM.

March 6, 2015woocw No Comments

February Recap: SCOM Reaches New Heights

Along with numerous inches of snow, the SCOM department has seen major accomplishments for the month of February.

On February 10^th students and faculty attended the Love Talk Film Festival, where scholars and long-term couples shared their expertise on love and relationships. In addition seven mini-documentaries, produced by students in Jennie Rosier’s (fall 2014) SCOM 314: Communication in Romantic Relationships class, were screened. The top three filmmakers received awards for their hard work.

FIRST PLACE:

Filmmaker Name: Jessica Hunt

Film Title: Love Me Not: Why You Stay When You Should Go

SECOND PLACE:

Filmmaker Name: Alyssa Herington

Film Title: “I Love You (maybe)”

THIRD PLACE:

Filmmaker Name: Nicole Lamberta

Film Title: Smooth Sails Ahead!

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On February 13, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) visited Washington D.C. to attend business briefings with PR agencies: Adfero Group, Burson-Marsteller, Edleman, Fleishman Hillard, and Golin. JMU will continue their professional development efforts with a visit to New York City in March.

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Dr. Fife’s essay was featured on the COE’s story project, “What Sustains Me.” He is the only CAL faculty member included in this project!

The College of Education’s “What Sustains Me” Project is a series of personal essays and/or artistic contributions about the heart of teachers and teaching. JMU College of Education faculty, faculty from other areas of the University, and teachers from surrounding area pre-K through 12th grade schools share their stories for the purpose of better understanding each other as educators and our potential as a community.

James Madison University – Eric Fife essay

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Dr. Lori Britt received JMU’s Goodman Faculty Award! This prestigious award is designed to recognize an exceptional junior faculty member for “excellence in teaching, and especially faculty who integrate their teaching and scholarship to benefit our student and the learning process.” Please share the good news.

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On the weekend of February 27^th, the JMU Speech team completed the last of their regular season travel on the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College. With eleven teams representing the eastern area of the US, the JMU team finished as the Top Team both days of competition. Qualification for the national tournament is a season long process and with the results from this last weekend every member of the JMU Speech Team qualified for the American Forensic Association-National Individual Events tournament to be held in Portland Oregon this April; this will be the largest squad JMU has qualified in its history.

Individual Results are as follows:

Olivia Adams, Freshman SCOM, 3rd After Dinner Speaking
Magdalene Dada, Sophomore Nursing, 5th Impromptu Speaking
Abby Fiege, Sophomore SCOM, 4th After Dinner Speaking
Nate Gross, Freshman Undeclared, 2nd Impromptu Speaking, 4th Persuasive Speaking
Armin Haracic, Sophomore International Affairs, 3rd Extemporaneous Speaking
Ally Hepburn, Freshman Undeclared, 1st Informative Speaking
Ty Kemp, Freshman SCOM, 6th Dramatic Interpretation, 2nd Informative Speaking
Haley Lawrie, Sophomore Spanish, 5th Extemporaneous Speaking, 3rd Informative Speaking
Nathan Selove, Sophomore SCOM 2nd Dramatic Interpretation, 4th Informative Speaking, 4th Prose Interpretation
Marieka Turner, Senior SCOM, 3rd Poetry Interpretation
Greta Wolking, Freshman Undeclared, 3rd Persuasive Speaking

1ST PLACE OVERALL TEAM

Day Two Results:

Olivia Adams, Freshman SCOM, 1st After Dinner Speaking
Jessie Bur, Senior SMAD/English, 3rd Poetry Interpretation
Magdalene Dada, Sophomore Nursing, 4th Impromptu
Abby Fiege, Sophomore SCOM, 2nd After Dinner Speaking, 2nd Duo Interpretation, 4th Prose Interpretation
Nate Gross, Freshman Undeclared, 2nd Impromptu Speaking, 4th Persuasive Speaking
Armin Haracic, Sophomore International Affairs, 4th Extemporaneous Speaking
Ally Hepburn, Freshman Undeclared, 6th Dramatic Interpretation, 4th Informative Speaking, 5th Prose Interpretation
Ty Kemp, Freshman SCOM, 3rd Dramatic Interpretation, 2nd Duo Interpretation
Haley Lawrie, Sophomore Spanish, 3rd Extemporaneous Speaking
Nathan Selove, Sophomore SCOM, 4th Dramatic Interpretation, 2nd Informative Speaking, 3rd Prose Interpretation
Greta Wolking, Freshman Undeclared, 3rd Persuasive Speaking, 6th Prose Interpretation

OVERALL TOP TEAM

The team is coached by graduate students Nicole Hudak and Katie Lese, as well as Alyssa Reid and Lee Mayfield.

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REMINDERS:

SCOM Banquet tickets now available!

Below are the dates/times/locations of ticket sales this week:

Monday 3/2: Harrison Conference room 1131 from 11-2pm
Tuesday 3/3: Harrison Conference room 1131 from 10:45-1:45pm
Wednesday 3/4: Harrison 1^st floor hallway from 11-2pm

*Tickets $13, cash and check accepted.

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ALL GRADUATING SENIORS (FULLY ADMITTED MAJORS):

You must take SCOM 394 prior to graduation. Some of you may already have taken the class, and in that case you don’t need to worry about it – but if not, make sure you’re registered for the course by the time it “starts” on March 16. The course consists solely of a set of assessment tests that you must take, with no specific score required, by the deadline (typically mid-April).

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Don’t forget, you can always prepare for your future by visiting the Career and Academic Planning Center. They can help you venture down the right road with advice on majors, internships, resumes, jobs, and more.

February 16, 2015woocw No Comments

Building your Future Through CAP

College is a time for students to develop their future by learning about their interests and potential for growth. This may be a challenging process for most. Career and Academic Planning is a place where students can find help in all aspects of their college experience. Mrs. Laura Hickerson, an Internship Liaison, explains the potential for development through the office, “we are one of the only offices on campus that work with students at all levels.”

February 12, 2015woocw No Comments

Meet the New SCOM Faculty

Beginning in August 2014, the School of Communications was privileged to have four new faculty members join the James Madison University team. Now, with one semester under their belts and another in full swing, they were willing to open up and share a little bit about themselves and their experience so far as a JMU Duke.

Lindsey Harvell: Dr. Harvell was born and raised in Kansas, and went on to receive her undergraduate degree from The University of Kansas in Communication Studies. She then went to Wichita State University, where she completed her master’s degree in Political Communication. She completed her Doctorate in Social Influence from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Harvell’s main area of research centers on using existential awareness in creating effective persuasive messaging. As part of the advocacy faculty, she is able to use her research to aid faculty and students in developing effective messaging that utilizes existential awareness as the focus of the communication.

This semester, Dr. Harvell is teaching a graduate quantitative communication research methods course (SCOM 683) in addition to the introduction to communication theory class (SCOM 240/241) for undergrads. When asked about her time here at JMU, she stated, “The transition to JMU has been flawless. Coming to work every day with colleagues and students that I adore is truly a gift.” She loves the atmosphere and the overall happiness she feels coming into work each day.

Yeonsoo Kim: Dr. Kim was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She stayed there to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis on Journalism at Ewah Women’s University. She then moved to the United States and received her master’s and Ph.D. in Mass Communication with an emphasis on Public Relations at the University of Florida.

In terms of research, Dr. Kim’s key areas involve tactical corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, effects of CSR communication strategies, and reputation management. Her current work studies the impact of CSR program “fit” for organizations considering their reputation and how to present its purposes to stakeholders.

For this semester, Dr. Kim is teaching survey research methods (SCOM 386), public relations campaigns (SCOM 461) and a variety of other public relations courses. She’s truly enjoyed being at JMU and wrote, “Before joining to JMU, I already had great respect for JMU’s reputation as a leading communications program. So far I’ve enjoyed every single minute here.” She views it as a place for her to grow and dedicate her time over a long period.

Jennifer Mease: Dr. Mease is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, however she attended Villanova University where she received her bachelors degree. She then went on to Arizona State to complete her masters, and finally completed her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She taught Texas A&M University and was in the consulting industry before moving to Harrisonburg to teach at JMU.

Dr. Mease educates in the area of organizational communication. Specifically, she studies how social biases can become engrained into various organization structures unknowingly. She also investigates how to change these social biases that occur.

Here at JMU, she currently teaches the introduction to communication theory class (SCOM 240/241) and organization communication (SCOM 350). She has found JMU and living in Harrisonburg to be, “great for raising my family” and enjoys working with the SCOM faculty.

Christi Saindon: Professor Saindon spent most of her life growing up and going to school in Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Arlington for her bachelor’s degree in Oral Communication, and received her masters in Communication Studies from the University of North Texas. She is completing her doctorate at Southern Illinois University in Communication Studies as well.

Professor Saindon has a wide range of interests when it comes to research, and her current research focuses on the autoethnographic and ethnographic investigation of the silent behaviors of women and girls in the classroom. Other areas of interest for her include analysis of mediated messages, communication pedagogy, and fat studies.

This semester, Professor Saindon is teaching fundamentals of human communication (GCOM 123), persuasion (SCOM 341) and communication and gender (SCOM/WMST 348). While only having taught at JMU for a short time, she stated that, “I’m fairly convinced this is the happiest place on earth”, and appreciates the dedication that she’s seen in her students.

Thank you to Dr. Harvell, Dr. Kim, Dr. Mease and Professor Saindon for your willingness to share you experiences thus far at JMU. We wish you the best in your career!

February 7, 2015woocw No Comments

SCOM Requests Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations

It’s that time of year again, when the School of Communication Studies Community Committee has the opportunity to select another accomplished alumnus to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. The committee is accepting nominations and self-nominations for this award until February 16, 2015.

“I would encourage alumni to consider applying—if anything, it’s a great exercise in reviewing your goals and general career direction,” said Meghan Ely, 2003 SCOM graduate and last year’s Distinguished Alumni Award winner, when asked why alumni should self-nominate, “It never hurts to be a bit introspective from time to time. Awards help professionals stand out when faced with a saturated market and it’s nice to have an added competitive edge.”

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented every spring to an alumnus who makes exceptional contributions to their discipline or profession and demonstrates outstanding service to the School of Communication Studies, James Madison University, their community, region or nation. The winner of the award will receive up to $1,000 in travel and accommodations to attend the SCOM banquet on April 8, 2015, where they will be recognized for their dedication and growth in the communications field.