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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
Jennifer Elizabeth Wood
Communication, 1972
Jennifer thought it would be interesting to report that she wrote and published two books in recent years: “What Did Uncle Harold Know?” in 2016, and “Defying Adversity as I Race to Achieve My Dreams” in 2024. The first book imagines what her long-deceased great-uncle might have learned in his long career as a bartender at the famous Copacabana in New York and then at The Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. The second book is a memoir about her long career and life joys, such as becoming the first intern in 1973 of an unknown new U.S. Senator named Joe Biden, as well as spending a weekend at the Kennedy Compound and sailing with Ethel Kennedy and several of her children in 1978. Jennifer later worked on the White House Staff. But a nightmare was following her during all these wonderful years: terrible physical symptoms that defied medical diagnosis and inspired dismissive reactions from doctors. The future development of MRI technology would at last confirm what she had believed. She had Multiple Sclerosis. Both books are available on Amazon.
Craig Sides
Communication, Speech Communication, 1980
Craig was invited to be a guest on the "Bold Leadership Stories Show," Among all the guests, he, by far, has had the most views! Putting HSU on the map as the owner of Temecula Valley Solar. He thanked Humboldt State on his Facebook page.
Kristin Coker
Communication, 1989
Kristin is a proud alum of the Speech Communication Department! After graduation, she worked as an Admissions Counselor for Heald Business College. She traveled to San Francisco East Bay high schools and spoke of the importance of staying in school and striving for a higher education. Kristin also worked for a nonprofit organization called Contra Costa ARC, where she was an HR recruiter. The agency was developed to employ and educate adults with developmental disabilities.
Kristin says her degree was the best choice for me, as it opened many doors to many job market opportunities.
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.