Department of Communication Studies
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Catch Up With Communication Studies |
Volume 2, Issue 5: February 2026 Newsletter
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Communication is the study of meaning-making. Scholars in this field explore how messages and interactions shape human connections. This broad discipline touches on everything from social influence and professional dynamics to family relationships and political rhetoric. At its core, Communication Studies focuses on understanding the messages we exchange and the behaviors they inspire.
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- Dr. Caleb George Hubbard
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COMS3340: Communication, Culture, and Technology |
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Technology is an integral part of modern life. In this course, we will examine how technology influences our relationships, our understanding of the world, and ourselves. Through an exploration into the history of various media, this class will reveal how our communication shapes and is shaped by technology. We will also explore how these technologies affect communication at a societal level, including culture and democracy. Students will reflect on their own media use and work toward improving their media and digital literacy.
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Interested in this course? Message Dr. Ethan Morrow at ecm072@shsu.edu to learn more!
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COMS5350: Computer Mediated Communication |
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This course focuses on the role of mediated communication in interpersonal relationships. We explore topics like relational maintenance, relationship building, cheating, ghosting, deception, balancing face-to-face and mediated communication, and how communication changes even with just the presence of a phone in the room — among many other topics!
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Interested in this course? Message Dr. Anne-Bennett Smithson at abs055@shsu.edu to learn more!
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Want to see what else we offer? |
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Dr. Lisa Dahlgren, Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies |
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I was born and raised in New Zealand and moved to the U.S. after high school on scholarship for Division 1 water polo. I am an interpersonal scholar and research how communication in our close personal relationships influence our psychological health, physiological health, and relational quality. My areas of expertise include affectionate communication and sexual communication. I love to read, exercise, and cross-stitch in my spare time.
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Michesha Washington, Lecturer |
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I am a full time Communication Studies instructor. Before teaching, I was an advisor for several years where I gained extensive experience in developing and building relationships, advocating for students, career counseling and mentoring students through overcoming obstacles.
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What excites me most about my field is the active learning that I can participate in with you, the students. I believe learning involves active participation to foster growth in any area. I aim for my teaching to stimulate and encourage students to be interactive. I hope you learn something about yourself, how you retain information, and how to better communicate in some area, whether personal or professional.
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Princess Spikes, Graduate Assistant and Lab Manager, PhD Student |
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It was my first Communication class at Sam Houston State University that helped me decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. While it was just an introductory speech course, I realized just how much I enjoyed learning about communication topics.
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The more Communication Studies courses I took, the more I began to realize the joy it brought me to learn how to navigate life by connecting with others and understanding how they were trying to connect with me. I began using the knowledge that I gained to improve my relationships with friends and family members. Before I knew it, I had graduated, and I still wanted to learn more.
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How did the Communication Studies program influence or help you? |
I honestly didn't think I would graduate at all. Being a first-generation college student navigating a poverty-stricken life and being a caretaker to my younger sister wasn't easy. I didn't think I was smart enough or even good enough to continue my education. It was Dr. Frances Brandau and Dr. Terry Thibodeaux that pushed me to continue my education. I can attribute where I am today to them. They pushed me to do better when I failed, didn't scrutinize me when I missed the mark, and provided me the feedback I needed to not just pass, but excel. They allowed me to see the impact professors can make on people who might be struggling with the thought of failure and taught me how to push past life's adversities. They put it in my head as a Master's student that I could receive my PhD if I wanted. I'm glad their words stuck.
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How did you use the skills you learned outside of the classroom? |
I didn't make the decision to follow in Drs. Brandau and Thibodeaux's footsteps right away. Being a Communication Studies major opened opportunities in fields outside of Communication as well. For a few years, I maintained food service management positions, and my employers stated my knowledge of organizational communication and interpersonal communication is what made me an appealing candidate. Ultimately, my time in management increased sales and led to greater employee satisfaction and retention. While I am no longer in food service management, I still utilize these skills to connect with new people and help others launch their own small business.
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What advice would you give to a younger self, or to a student just starting out? |
If I could do it all over again, I would tell myself, "Just lean in". Sometimes the idea of work can be exhausting, sometimes pressure can be exhausting, sometimes life is just exhausting! But when I discovered if I just did it, I could succeed. Nothing stood in my way. You can do anything you want in this life, no matter where you come from, what people say, or what your past is. Just lean in.
Princess Spikes is an alum of both our Bachelor and Master in Communication Studies programs and is currently pursuing her PhD at Louisiana State University. She recently presented her paper "Is That Really How You Feel? The Effects of Relationship Type, Seriousness and Closeness on Communicative Responses to Partner Jealousy in Romantic Relationships" at the 111th National Communication Association Conference.
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Lambda Pi Eta is excited to host a series of events this semester! Mark your calendars for our professional development night, where representatives from different offices, such as the Career Success Center, will provide expert guidance on professional development such as resumes and interview techniques. Stay tuned— further details are coming soon.
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For more information, check out our About video and follow us on Instagram!
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| Welcome to the new semester! CommuniKats has both social and skill-boosting events this semester and we'd love to see you there! Keep updated on what we're doing through BearKatHQ and our Instagram.
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For more information, join us on BearKatHQ and follow us on Instagram!
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Community Engagement Fellow |
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| Dr. Cindy Chen was accepted into the Community Engagement Fellow Program organized by SHSU's Center for Community Engagement. The Fellow Program helps fund research that is community-focused.
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Dr. Chen will be partnering with the Light and Salt Association, a nonprofit organization serving low-income and underserved Asian American communities in the greater Houston area. Together, they will conduct a community-engaged study examining social support, English language challenges, healthcare accessibility, and well-being among Chinese immigrants in the region. The study will focus on community-identified barriers and resources related to healthcare access, social support, and overall well-being, and will be used to inform actionable strategies to address challenges and enhance social support.
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Dr. Chen is a health communication researcher who has previously studied social support, loneliness, and well-being among older adults and college students. She is excited for the research opportunity to collaborate with the Light and Salt Association and to conduct research whose findings directly respond to urgent, community-identified needs among Chinese immigrants.
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Faculty and Staff Appreciation Award |
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Inst. Kristen Hester was recently recognized for her dedication to student athletes! She was honored at the Bearkat Women's Basketball game against SMU last December.
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| Dr. Rick Bello's PAWsome Pet!
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Delta Dawn
Major in Dietary Sciences with a concentration in Pickyology
Currently working on a COMS degree with two undercatuate theses: "Sticks and Pine Cones as Gifts" and "Feline Slapping as Communication"
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CHSS 220, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Join CommuniKats and Lambda Pi Eta to celebrate Valentine's Day! The event will include craft supplies in order to make something sweet for someone special.
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CommuniKats Valentine's Tabling
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Frank Parker Plaza, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Support CommuniKats and pick up a last second Valentine's gift (don't worry, we won't tell!) at our fundraising tabling!
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Academic Advisement for Summer and Fall Opens
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Students may contact the SAM Center to schedule an advising appointment.
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Be Our Guest! Communication Day Celebration
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CHSS 410, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Be our guest! Join us for our semesterly Communication Day Celebration, where we celebrate Communication Studies and students like you! The party is open to all students and majors, and includes free food, games, swag, and a chance to win fun prizes!
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Speed Interviews with CommuniKats
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CHSS 410 G, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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Learn the Do's and Don't's of interviewing with CommuniKats, then compete for the Best Interview of the afternoon to win a prize! Bring a copy of your resume, or build a practice resume with us.
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Monday, March 9th - Thursday, March 13th |
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Last Day to Drop With a "Q"
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For more information about dropping classes, see the Registrar's Drop page.
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Communication Career Networking Event
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Learn more about what you can do with a Communication Studies degree at the Career Networking Event hosted by Lambda Pi Eta!
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Join the conversation and use the form below to help us tell your stories!
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| Allyzah Allene D. Cabugao, Instructor of Communication Studies (pictured on right)
Dr. Caleb George Hubbard, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies (pictured on left)
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This email is being sent to Communication Studies students, faculty, and staff.
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1905 University Ave | Huntsville, TX 77341 US
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