Staying Involved and Connected

The Department of Communication is one of only 3 academic departments across campus that has its own National Advisory Council. It consists of 50+ communication executives from across the nation! Twice a year the Council visits campus to hold its bi-annual meetings and to network/mingle with our Communication students and alumni. These campus visits are unique opportunities for our students to connect with esteemed executives in the field and to foster mentoring relationships. All Communication students are invited to attend 2-3 (or more) open events with the Council during their visit. Keep your eyes peeled on the weekly MMM for the Council visit dates, and make sure to take advantage by attending the open events with Council members! Meet the department's National Advisory Council.

Lambda Pi Eta

Lambda Pi Eta is the honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA). The Xi Chi chapter at the College of Charleston is among nearly 300 other active chapters at colleges and universities worldwide. In order to be invited to join Lambda Pi Eta at CofC, a student must be a communication major in good standing with a minimum of 60 credit hours completed overall; have at least 15 credit hours completed toward a communication degree; have a GPA of 3.5 in their major; and have an overall GPA of 3.5. Invitations are automatically given bi-yearly to COMM students who are eligible to join. As you approach eligibility for this honor society, keep an eye on your email for an invitation. Learn more about the Xi Chi chapter of Lambda Pi Eta.

Martin Scholars Program

The Martin Scholars Program is a one-year program for rising-senior COMM majors. The program works to inspire and develop a future generation of leaders among today's outstanding Communication majors at the College of Charleston. Once accepted into the program, Martin Scholars will spend their senior year working collaboratively in their COMM 336 course. As a part of this course, the Scholars will work on communication class assigments, conduct multiple in-person or virtual site visits with the communications teams at local Charleston-area companies and organizations, engage with guest speakers, work one-on-one with their assigned mentor (an executive in the communication field), and more! This small, close-knit program is one of three scholar programs across campus. Applications for rising-seniors open early every spring semester - keep an eye out, and don't miss this life-changing opportunity for your senior year! Read more about the Martin Scholars Program.

Mentor-Protégé Program

The Mentor-Protégé Program is an unique opportunity available for students in the Department of Communication (major, minor, and master's). Students can apply at any point to be accepted into the program and be assigned a mentor from our department's esteemed National Advisory Council. The relationship is one in which an experienced professional (mentor) guides, coaches, and teaches a less experienced student or young professional (protégé). Mentoring is expected benefit all involved: the mentor, the protégé, the organization(s), as well as the culture supporting the relationship. The number of available protege spots varies each year, and applications are opened at the beginning of each semester. Learn more about the Mentor-Protégé Program.

Spring Break Experience

Each year over the week of Spring Break, the Director of the Martin Scholars Program takes the Martin Scholars and a few other COMM majors on a marvelous, networking trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City. Students accepted into this trip experience unique behind-the-scenes tours of over 30 companies and organizations in the communication field, first-hand talks with communication executives at each location, and the overall bustling atmosphere of what it is like to work in two of the nation's busiest cities. All Martin Scholars are required to attend the Spring Break Experience trip, and extra spots are made available for additional COMM majors to apply to attend. Past participants of this trip have left glowing reviews - saying that it is "life-changing" and the "best way to productively spend Spring Break". Learn more about the Spring Break Experience.

Study Abroad with COMM

The College of Charleston offers amazing opportunites for our students to study abroad. But even better, our department offers communication-specific study abroad opportunities, too! Students have the opportunity to apply to any of the available COMM Study Abroad offerings and travel to new places while earning COMM coures credits. Previous COMM study abroad trips have included Costa Rica, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and more! Check out currently available COMM Study Abroad opportunities.

Weekly News and Updates Straight to Your Cougar Email

We know that life as a student gets quite busy and hectic! So, as soon as you declare your major or minor in Communication, you will begin to receive a very helpful once-a-week email with news and updates from the Department of Communication. These emails are fondly referred to as your Monday Morning Memo (or, even more commonly, the MMM). They often contain the following important information:

• A weekly message from the department chair
• Any important upcoming dates (e.g. exam dates, on-campus lectures, guest speakers, Advisory Council visits no class dates, etc.)
• Notices for open applications (e.g. scholarships, experiential learning funds, Spring Break Experience, Martin Scholars Program, Mentor-Protégé Program, etc.)
• Tips and tricks for students
• Kudos section for student/faculty accomplishments and achievements
• And more!