Breadcrumb
Department of Communication
Communication is how ideas change over time
Our department develops inquisitive and eloquent student leaders through courses that develop facilitation, leadership, team-building, persuasion, and critical thinking. Students gain practical experience with interpersonal, small group, social advocacy, digital communication, public, nonverbal, organizational, and intercultural communication. Our students get a far-reaching set of skills and the practice to apply those skills to our world.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
A Bachelor of Arts in Communication develops practical and critical skills in interpersonal communication, social advocacy, digital communication, nonverbal, organizational, and intercultural communication, and prepares students for success in a dynamic range of fields.
Minors
A close-knit community
We offer exceptional opportunities to connect with our faculty in order to hone your understanding and skills in the field of communication.
Experience your learning
Experiential learning opportunities include internships, attending conferences, conducting original research, tutoring, and participating in the intercollegiate speech and debate program.
Embrace critical thinking
Our students are inquisitive and eloquent student leaders. Classes generate focused critical skills to better understand culture, gender, social advocacy and theories of communication in order to obtain a far-reaching set of skills to apply to our world.
Careers
Businesses need people who are thinkers and communicators. Our department provides an educational approach emphasizing important career skills that prepare students for success.
- Advertising
- Business Management
- Education
- Journalism
- Law
- Marketing
- Mediation
- Politics
- Public Relations
- Radio & TV Broadcasting
Alumni Updates
Michael Barnes
Communication, 2017
Michael Barnes ('17, Communication) claims it's been a whirlwind since he graduated from Humboldt! Since his formative years as an undergrad studying under the great minds of Joshua Frye, Maxwell Schnurer, Armeda Reitzel, Scott Payton, and Leslie Rossman (now at the University of Denver), he continued to earn a master's degree in Communication from San Diego State University. He is now working toward a Ph.D. in Communication at Ohio University, where he is studying Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from various methodological perspectives. He cannot thank the faculty at Humboldt enough for believing in him and pushing him to go beyond!
Billy Wright
Communication, 2014
Billy Wright, 2014 Communication, is currently teaching and coaching in Kerman, Calif., at Kerman High School. Wright was recently invited to coach a high school All-American game played at the Oakland Raiders’ stadium where he will coach alongside guys who played or coached in the NFL.
Taylor Kilgore
Communication, 2011
I moved to Colorado accepting a sports anchor position at CBS KKTV. I now get to cover teams like the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, and the Air Force Academy.
Achievements
Find out what our students, faculty, and staff are being recognized for.
Maxwell Schnurer, Mark Taylor, Steven Ladwig, Tony Wallin-Sato, Arthur Monarque, Javier De La Torre
Communication
27 Cal Poly Humboldt Communication majors who are currently incarcerated at Pelican Bay State Prison presented at the National Conference on Higher Education on Friday April 10. Students in the program shared how resilience, student leadership, and collective voice shape a BA program inside California’s highest-security prison. Through live video conference to the largest prison education conference in the United States students discussed with conference attendees their leadership strategies, recruiting, curriculum input, and the creation of clubs and academic work centered on their vision. The room in Cleveland was packed including Cal Poly Humboldt staff and students who are alumni of the program. The recording of the presentation is available in the link above.
Maxwell Schnurer, Chelsey Castiglione, Lauren Nicolosi, Dean Washington, Shiloh Litke, Keith Flamer, Mark Taylor
Communication
On April 14th the Sexual Assault Prevention Committee hosted the third annual Anti-Violence Summit at College of the Redwoods. In partnership with the President's office at College of the Redwoods, the Social Work department CR and the Department of Communication at Cal Poly Humboldt, students from both schools collaborated to prevent and respond to sexualized violence. Communication Department Sexual Assault Intern Lauren Nicolosi, CRGS major Dean Washington and Communication major Shiloh Litke facilitated breakout sessions. Project Rebound director and College of the Redwood instructor Mark Taylor hosted the session with guests of Chelsey Castiglione (Prevention Coordinator) and Dr. Maxwell Schnurer chair of the Communication department and the Sexual Assault Prevention Committee.
Dr. Armeda C. Reitzel
Communication
Dr. Armeda C. Reitzel, Professor Emeritus, Communication, has been selected to join the Peace Corps as a Virtual Service Pilot Participant. Beginning in May 2026, Dr. Reitzel will work with staff in Ukraine to co-teach a "Summer English and Culture Club for Ukrainian Teens." This assignment builds on Dr. Reitzel's expertise in teaching English as a second language and intercultural communication.