Department of Communication Studies
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Catch Up With Communication Studies |
Volume 2, Issue 3: November 2025 Newsletter
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Communication is the process by which we share verbal and nonverbal messages with another person for the purpose of creating shared meaning. This process is nuanced by our relationship history with that person, the context in which we are communicating, and our skill level for sending and interpreting appropriate messages.
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COMS3379: Freedom of Speech and Civic Communication |
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This class is a great balance of substance (hello, Constitution!) and interaction as we explore how freedom of speech impacts our daily lives including professional, civic, and interpersonal interactions. We will discuss a wide range of issues, including blasphemy, privacy, defamation, hate speech, obscenity, political speech, pornography, public forums, symbolic speech, threats, and restrictions on free speech – just to name a few.
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We use case studies and real life scenarios to develop students’ ability to critically analyze free speech issues.
Interested in this course? Email Dr. Anne-Bennett Smithson at abs055@shsu.edu to learn more!
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COMS5334: Pedagogy of Public Speaking for Novice Instructors |
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Teaching and training can feel overwhelming —where do you even start? Whether you’re leading a classroom, running a team meeting, or helping others develop their skills, guiding people to learn something new takes intention, patience, and strong communication. That’s where this course comes in.
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In The Pedagogy of Public Speaking, we explore how to communicate effectively when teaching or training others—how to design lessons or workshops, engage an audience, respond to questions, and provide meaningful feedback. While this course is a natural fit for students interested in becoming teachers or professors, it’s equally valuable for anyone who will lead, coach, or mentor others. Teaching skills are highly transferable, and understanding how people learn can make you a stronger communicator in any setting—education, business, or beyond.
By the end of the semester, you’ll have a toolkit of evidence-based strategies for creating learning experiences that truly connect with people, no matter where you apply them.
Interested in this course? Email Dr. Caleb George Hubbard at cgh034@shsu.edu to learn more!
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Want to see what else we offer? |
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Dr. Akansha Sirohi, Visiting Assistant Professor |
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I am from India. I worked as a journalist and content strategist in India for three years before relocating to the U.S. to pursue a master's degree in Communication. I am a health communication scholar with a focus on health disparities, women's reproductive health, child abuse, and sexual abuse. I really enjoy working with students. My favorite part about teaching is class discussions and learning from each
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other's lived experiences and understanding how communication applies to real-world contexts.
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Dr. Sandra Freda Wood, Lecturer |
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I am from Ghana, West Africa. I got my Bachelors and Masters from University of Cape Coast and University of Education, Winneba, both in Ghana, respectively. I hold a Ph.D. in Human Communication from Arizona State University, where my research focuses on organizational and health communication through critical and cultural perspectives, particularly within Global South contexts.
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My teaching is grounded in love and humanizing my students. This means I center my students' lived experiences as essential sources of knowledge. I aim to cultivate learning environments where empathy, critical reflection, and social responsibility drive transformation. Outside academia, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, traveling, and participating in community initiatives that connect people across cultures.
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Chelsea Butler, Undergraduate Student |
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I am a Communication Studies and Marketing major.
I was told growing up to do what you love, so that's what I'm doing. I love to talk and meet new people. It's so interesting to see all the different ways to communicate and how people respond to it. I believe that getting my degree in Communication Studies is setting myself up for success when I get into the sales world.
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I have met so many amazing people in my classes so far; my classmates have been balls of sunshine.
This degree has really helped me in my personal life with maturing and understanding how people may take how I speak in many different ways. The lessons I learned from being a part of this awesome department have also helped me grow to be better on the volleyball court.
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| We recently inducted 13 new members! Congratulations and welcome to the Fall 2025 Inductees:
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- Steven Astorga Jr.
- Stefanie Azua
- Elyssa Little
- Catalina Lopez
- Sarah Maddux-Hensley
- Alicia Mangum
- Abigail McCarty
- Victoria Ramirez
- Terranie Stubblefield
- Ollie Van Den Hudding
- Serena Webb
- Damikka Willis
- Adaah Wysinger
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For more information, check out our About video and follow us on Instagram!
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We've been busy meeting new people and making new connections this semester! Don't miss our last meeting of the Fall 2025 Semester: a Hybrid Game Night! Join us on Thursday, November 20th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, either in-person in CHSS 220 or virtually via Zoom. RSVP to the event via BearKatHQ here.
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For more information, join us on BearKatHQ and follow us on Instagram!
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Franklin H. Knower Article Award |
Dr. Ethan Morrow, Assistant Professor |
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| Congratulations to Dr. Ethan Morrow!
Dr. Morrow has received the Franklin H. Knower Article Award for his work titled "'Do you need a green card or something?' Romantic relationships, citizenship, and stigmatizing communication". The paper explores how individuals in mixed-citizenship romantic relationships experience and navigate stigma related to their immigration status.
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The award, from the Interpersonal Communication Division of the National Communication Association, recognizes a single outstanding article published within the last five years that has made a significant contribution to the field of interpersonal communication. The article will be recognized at the Interpersonal Communication division business meeting in November and featured in the biennial Miller/Knower Award Panel in 2026.
Read Dr. Morrow's paper here.
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Congrats to the Newly Doctor Sandra Wood |
Dr. Sandra Wood, Lecturer |
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| Dr. Sandra Wood recently successfully defended her dissertation!
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Department of Communication Studies and Awesome Students Like You! |
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Last month, we celebrated Communication Studies and students like you with this semester's Communication Day! It was PAWsome to see everyone and get to know you. We hope you had a great time and can't wait to see you again!
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Your Communication Degree, Your Career: Expert Insight into Careers with a Communication Degree |
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Lambda Pi Eta hosted a panel discussing some of the ways your Communication Studies degree and skills can lead to a successful career, and gave students the opportunity to network with industry professionals. Many thanks to the following panelists for sharing their experiences with our students!
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- Mackailyn Johnson: Communications Manager, Arrow Child & Family Ministries
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Nicole Pope: Executive Communications Advisor, Chevron Philips Chemical
- Dominique Spurlock: Sales Executive, Sage Publishing
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Pictured, Left-to-Right:
Kaylee Scott, LPH Secretary; Zoey Giles; Karis Barrett, LPH Social Media Coordinator; Nicole Pope; Dominique Spurlock; Mackailyn Johnson; Tristan Brown, LPH President; Stephanie Berry, LPH Vice President; Dr. Caleb George Hubbard, LPH Advisor
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If you missed the event and want to see what they had to say, click the video below or find the video on our YouTube page.
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Lambda Pi Eta Fall 2025 Induction |
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Lambda Pi Eta celebrated the induction of 13 new members! We are so proud to welcome these outstanding students into our National Communication Honor Society. Your hard work, dedication, and passion for communication have not gone unnoticed!
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Pictured, left-to-right:
Back Row: Stephanie Berry, LPH Vice President; Dr. Colton Krawietz, LPH Advisor; Stefanie Azua; Abigail McCarty; Ollie Van Den Hudding; Steven Astorga Jr.; Dr. Caleb George Hubbard, LPH Advisor; Dean Chien-Pin Li, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Middle Row: Kaylee Scott, LPH Secretary; Catalina Lopez; Serena Webb; Alicia Mangum; Sarah Maddux-Hensley
Front Row: Karis Barrett, LPH Social Media Coordinator; Damikka Willis; Adaah Wysinger; Elyssa Little; Tristian Brown, LPH President
Inducted Virtually: Victoria Ramirez; Terranie Stubblefield
If you missed the event and watch the stream, click the video below or find the video on our YouTube page.
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Advisor Emeritus and Lifelong Advocate Award |
Lambda Pi Eta and Dr. Terry Thibodeaux |
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Dr. Terry Thibodeaux was recognized for his hard work and dedication to Lambda Pi Eta. Dr. Thibodeaux started the Lambda Beta Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta here at Sam Houston State University, and was the advisor up until recently. This award thanks him for everything he has done to promote and encourage student success through Lambda Pi Eta.
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Check out what our students have been up to!
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COMS1361: Public Speaking |
Instructor Suzi Honeywell's Class |
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Did you know that music can influence our thoughts, actions, and even lead to persuasion? Instructor Suzi Honeywell's class presented their favorite songs to the class and persuaded each other that "this is the best song EVER because...", and had fun jamming out!
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COMS2386: Interpersonal Communication |
Sr. Instructor Dena Horne's Class |
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Nothing like a gorgeous Texas fall day for some hands-on learning! Students in Sr. Instructor Dena Horne's class practiced active listening skills while enjoying the sunshine.
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COMS3360: Interpreting Visual Images |
Dr. Caleb George Hubbard's Class |
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How can you tell a story — without any words? The students in Dr. Caleb George Hubbard's class can show you how! Can you guess what fairytales their abstract work represents?
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Want to see what else we're doing? Don't forget to follow our socials for more posts!
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Sr. Lecturer Dena Hornes's PAWsome Pets!
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Quackers I, Quackademic Advisor
Quackers II, Dean of Ducktoral Studies
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Game Night with CommuniKats
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CHSS 220 & Virtually, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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University-sanctioned Reading Day to provide students with additional study and exam preparation days.
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Thursday, November 27th - Friday, November 28th |
University Holiday: Thanksgiving
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University holiday for Thanksgiving weekend.
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University-sanctioned Reading Day to provide students with additional study and exam preparation days.
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Monday, December 8th - Thursday, December 11th |
For the general in-person exam schedule, please see the Final Exam Schedules page. Please also check your course syllabus in case your final is online or otherwise does not follow the in-person exam schedule.
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Commencement for College of Humanities and Social Sciences
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Johnson Coliseum, 9:30 AM
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For more information about Commencement, including the full Commencement schedule and livestream links, please see the Commencement page.
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Campus Residence Halls, 12:00 PM
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Deadline for Filing Grades with Registrar's Office
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All final grades are due.
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Final Grades Available in Degree Works
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Online on Degree Works, 12:00 PM
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Final grades are now available for students to view on Degree Works. For help accessing and navigating Degree Works, please see the Degree Works FAQ page.
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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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