Department of Communication Studies
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Catch Up With Communication Studies |
Volume 2, Issue 9: April 2026 Newsletter
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Communication is the process of creating, exchanging, and interpreting messages through verbal, nonverbal, and mediated channels. In Communication Studies, we explore how messages are constructed, delivered, and received, as well as their impacts on building and maintaining personal and professional relationships, the impact of media on people’s opinions, feelings, and behaviors, strategies for persuasion and social influence, and the role of communication in addressing critical issues like health, risk, and environmental changes.
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COMS4392: Seminar in Communication Studies: Communication at Play |
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| Some classes ask you to take notes. This one invites you to play.
Seminar in Communication Studies: Communication at Play is a special topics course exploring how meaning is created through games, play, and pop culture. From board games to digital worlds, you'll examine how identity, persuasion, and relationships take shape when we play — all through interactive activities and discussion.
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This rotating course won't be offered again in this form, so don't miss your chance to jump in.
Come ready to play. Stay ready to think.
Interested in this course? Email Dr. Caleb George Hubbard at cgh034@shsu.edu to learn more!
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COMS5363: Interpersonal Conflict |
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Conflict is a part of life. This course explores the complexities of conflict in order to help us understand the forces that make conflict challenging and develop a repertoire of skills for thinking about and managing conflict more effectively in a variety of close relationship contexts. We cannot avoid conflict, but we can manage it.
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Interested in this course? Email Dr. Shaun Zhang at sxz002@shsu.edu to learn more!
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Want to see what else we offer? |
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Take a Look at Our Class Registration Special Issues! |
These special issues compile all of the available courses in their respective semesters. Don't wait! Classes fill up fast, and you could be waitlisted. Other classes might be changed or removed completely if the enrollment is low, so don't wait just because "there is plenty of space" either!
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Dr. Frances Brandau, Department Chair, Professor |
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I love teaching Communication Studies because we swim in a sea of communication! It’s everywhere, from our personal relationships to our professional success. Strong communication skills build confidence, foster belonging, strengthen leadership, and sharpen critical thinking.
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I especially enjoy teaching theory courses because they give students the tools to understand, explain, and even predict behavior. With this knowledge, they can be proactive in any situation, hopefully leading to better outcomes in their personal lives and careers.
Fun fact: I’m from L.A. – Lower Alabama! I grew up in Mobile, where I was lucky to be just a short drive from the white sugar sand beaches of Gulf Shores. Maybe that’s why I love the idea of navigating the waves of communication – after all, understanding how to communicate effectively helps us stay afloat in any situation.
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Allyzah Allene D. Cabugao, Lecturer |
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When I was in high school, I had severe social anxiety and stage fright. I would get nervous just responding to roll call. My parents made me join Speech and Debate, and while I initially resented it, it helped me discover my voice. I learned that what I had to say mattered, and that I could make a difference if I communicated my ideas to others.
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This is my main goal behind teaching Communication Studies: I hope that my students can find their own voices and share their passions with others.
I mostly teach Public Speaking; Conflict, Negotiation, and Resolution; Intercultural Communication; and Small Group Communication. I have an art background so I love finding hands-on ways to put the concepts into practice.
I love collecting hobbies. Hobby collection is probably the biggest hobby I have, haha. I am always interested in learning something new, but I am partial to drawing, fiber arts, printmaking, and creative writing.
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| We are excited to welcome eight new students to Lambda Pi Eta during this spring's induction ceremony! Congratulations to:
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- Michael Alvarez-Phillips
- Danyka Alexandra Insell-Cory
- Ryan Blade
- Rachel McGee
- Hannah Moulton
- Arika Mouton
- Jamie Orozco
- Courtney Walsh
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For more information, check out our About video and follow us on Instagram!
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| | Our end of semester Movie Night is April 22nd, 6 - 8 PM, in CHSS242A! Hope to see you there!
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For more information, join us on BearKatHQ and follow us on Instagram!
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Be Our Guest! Communication Day Spring 2026 |
Department of Communication Studies |
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We had a grand time last month at 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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CommuniKats hosted a Speed Interviewing event offering students the opportunity to get resume help and practice interviewing for their future careers! Special thanks to Dr. Ethan Morrow, Inst. Allyzah Allene D. Cabugao, Inst. Kristen Hester, and guest Dr. Jay Hester for being the event interviewers.
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Department of Communication Studies |
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| Our department welcomed prospective Bearkats at Saturday @ SAM! Thanks to Dr. Michael Irvin Arrington, Dr. Sandra Wood, Inst. Allyzah Allene D. Cabugao, Inst. Kristen Hester, Inst. Victoria Sandoval, and Associate Admin Mrs. Joy Mallory for greeting and hosting the prospective Bearkats!
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Elevate: A Career Development Experience |
Lambda Pi Eta welcomed guest speakers David Moulton (Senior Director of Content & Thought Leadership at Palo Alto Networks and host of the Threat Vector podcast) and Vinessa Mundorff (Student Professional Development Coordinator for the Center for Building Business Professionals) at Elevate! Students were able to hear from the guest speakers, receive professional resume editing, career development guidance, and professional headshots at the event.
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Society for Cinema and Media Studies Presentation |
Dr. Caleb George Hubbard and Dr. Judy Clemens-Smucker |
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| Dr. Caleb George Hubbard and Dr. Judy Clemens-Smucker presented their research "Punchlines and Politics: Humor in Sitcoms as a Gateway to Civic Dialogue" at the Society for Cinema and Media Studies in Chicago.
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| Inst. Victoria Sandoval's PAWsome Pet!
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Princess
Bachelor in Advanced Sass and Relational Power Dynamics
Master in Treats
Thesis: Why I Deserve Snacks Every 20 minutes
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Tuesday, April 21st - Wednesday, April 22nd |
9:00 AM Tuesday - 5:07 PM Wednesday
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Giving Day is an online fundraising event that brings together alumni, parents, friends, and Bearkat fans from all over to make a difference at Sam Houston State University. Giving Day is a celebration of philanthropy that lasts 1 day, 8 hours, 7 minutes, and 9 seconds in honor of our founding year, 1879. For more information, see the Giving Day page.
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Newton Gresham Library, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Both Days
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Kats Shelf is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Communication Studies and Public Health, in partnership with Newton Gresham Library. The project brings together students from Community Applied Communication and Multicultural Health Issues to create Kats Shelf, an interactive storytelling experience. In this project, pre-selected faculty and staff serve as living books that library patrons can check out for 30-minute conversations to share and discuss lived, health-related experiences in a respectful, one-on-one setting.
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Health and Communication Research Talk
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CHSS 110, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Zoom Option Available
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Come learn about research in health, well-being, and communication studies! Our panelists will discuss topics such as influences on public health behaviors, patient-doctor communication, health disparities, and more. Open to all students and majors! Free refreshments will be served.
Zoom Meeting Link
Zoom Meeting ID: 862 9092 7269
Passcode: 234475
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Movie Night with CommuniKats
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CHSS 242A, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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It's our end of the semester event!
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Last Class Day / Last Day to Resign by 4:00 PM
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University-sanctioned Reading Day incorporated into the university calendar in an effort to provide students with additional study and exam preparation days.
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Monday, May 4th - Thursday, May 7th |
To see the general exam schedule, see the Final Exam Schedule page. Please confirm with your course syllabus to see if there are any changes or requirements for your final.
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Commencement for Humanities and Social Sciences
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Johnson Coliseum, 9:30 AM
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CHSS Graduation Reception
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CHSS Concourse Level, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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All CHSS majors, faculty, and staff are welcome to join us for light refreshments to celebrate our Spring 2026 graduates! No RSVP required.
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Campus Residence Halls, 12:00 PM
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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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Scholarships4Kats Priority Deadline
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Summer I and 10-week Courses Begin
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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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