Martin Scholars
Program Overview
The purpose of the Martin Scholars program is to inspire and develop a future generation of leaders among today’s outstanding Communication majors at the College of Charleston. The program develops a select group of senior Communication majors through a combination of exposure to effective communication leaders who serve as mentors and teachers, networking opportunities with Communication alumni and the Department of Communication National Advisory Council members, and experiential learning.
Mentoring the next generation of leaders—by parents, teachers, coaches, employers and all who encourage and inspire us to do great things—is a critical force in shaping an enlightened society. The Martin Scholars will be taught, counseled, shaped and influenced by seasoned communication veterans. In turn they will further develop their own skills, insights and abilities to serve in this valued role as they launch their communication careers.
The Scholars will participate in a variety of activities, including:
- Weekly Meetings: Martin Scholars meet once a week during the Fall and Spring semester. Speakers will include local members of the National Advisory Council and other leaders from the communications function as global, regional and local companies such as Boeing, Santee Cooper, Rawle Murdy, Blackbaud, Chernoff Newman, Lou Hammond Associates and other organizations.
- Mentor program: All Martin Scholars will be paired with a mentor, such as a local communications executive or a member of the Department of Communication National Advisory Council, for the academic year.
- Spring Break Trip: Martin Scholars will participate in the Department of Communication's annual spring break trip to New York and Washington, D.C. They will attend two special dinners, one in New York and one in Washington, with local CofC alumni and members of the National Advisory Council.
- National Advisory Council dinners: Martin Scholars will be invited to attend special dinners each semester during the Council's visit to campus.
- Martin Scholars Alumni Network: Graduates of the Martin Scholars program will be invited to meet at least once a year and will also be invited to attend some of the weekly meetings with current participants.
- Participant Expectations: The Martin Scholars will be expected to participate actively in all sessions, including regular meetings; they will be required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA; they will be expected to communicate regularly with their mentors; they will be expected to participate in the Spring Break trip, including the special dinners arranged for them; they will be expected to serve as departmental ambassadors in meaningful ways throughout the year.
Objectives:
- To recognize and develop students majoring and minoring in Communication who have an interest in and aptitude for leading and mentoring others--now and in the future—and excelling in the communications profession.
- To provide networking opportunities for these Martin Scholars with acknowledged leaders in the communication profession, from the Department of Communication National Advisory Council, global, regional, and local companies and agencies, department faculty and alumni.
- To build positive awareness of the Department of Communication and the College of Charleston through the efforts and outreach of the Martin Scholars program
Introducing the 2021-2022 Martin Scholars
Read more about these selected students on the Martin Scholars and Mentors webpage.
Martin Scholars Alumni Spotlight
The Martin Scholars Program hosted its first alumni reception at the end of the spring 2018 semester. At this event, Martin Scholars alumni gathered with the graduating Martin Scholars seniors as well as the incoming class of Martin Scholars. The program founded in 2016 has flourished, and it now boasts a total of 55 students who are Martin Scholars, including alumni and current seniors. Looking forward to many more Martin Scholars alumni receptions!