Communication & Media

Colleges and Programs of Study

Why should you select a Communication/Media Communication major?

  • The Communication major highlights how we make and interpret meaning through the design, delivery, and evaluation of messages as individuals, in media, and in various cultures and contexts.
  • The Media Communication major emphasizes the role of media in our lives, as well as how to use media literacy skills and media production/broadcasting techniques to express our perspectives employing the use of media.
  • Communication tops LinkedIn’s list of the most in-demand skills.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs to increase from 2022-2032 with higher wages than the median annual wage per The US Department of Labor.
  • Communication graduates may work in professional fields such as private, non-profit, and government sectors as coordinators, writers, speakers, and managers.
  • Media communication graduates may work in fields related to media, such as journalism, broadcasting, social media marketing and social media influencing.
  • Visit HTTPS://WWW.NATCOM.ORG/ADVOCACY-PUBLIC-ENGAGEMENT/COMM-GRAD-SPOTLIGHTfor more careers that a Communication or Media Communication degree could lead to.

Why should I attend WVWC?

  • Develop skills through hands-on experience on campus and through off campus internships to demonstrate what you learn
  • Ability to dual major with another field of interest at WVWC
  • Create a portfolio to share with graduate schools and future employers
  • Our recent graduates have been accepted to graduate school with assistantships or acquired jobs in business and law offices, as a staff writer for a sports website and a television producer

What do students do in the Communication Department at WVWC?

  • Become more effective message/content creators
  • Craft news stories for The Pharos
  • Become a DJ for The Scratch, our campus radio station
  • Create television broadcasts
  • Present original research at Communication conventions to network with others in the Communication Discipline

Visit The Pharos (our newspaper) here: https://thepharosnet.org/

Listen to The Scratch (our radio station) here: The Scratch

Explore our Communication Department videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmeP20DBqTU&list=UULFCNcVwzt8deQMkCuEI5xr5Q

Program Learning Outcomes

at work
at work
  • Faculty

    Dr. Nancy Bressler, Associate Professor and Department Chair
    Email: bressler.n@wvwc.edu
    Dr. Bressler teaches courses in journalism, media studies, and professional speaking. From 2021-2025, she has won four awards for her teaching strategies at the Eastern and Western States Communication conventions. Her research focuses on pedagogical advancements, specifically the development of students’ media literacy skills and effective speech delivery skills. In addition, her research examines how media representations influence and contribute to American identities, cultural norms, and social perceptions; she specifically focuses on how humorous media examples represent cultural perspectives and prevailing ideologies within a culture. In addition to her teaching and research, Dr. Bressler is also the Chair of the Department of Communication and faculty advisor for the student newspaper The Pharos. If you have any questions about a major or minor in the Communication Department, feel free to email her.

     

    Dr. Alexis de Coning, Assistant Professor
    Email: deconing.a@wvwc.edu
    Dr. de Coning teaches courses including professional speaking, persuasion, social media & society, and artificial intelligence. She emphasizes active learning, discussion, and creative engagement in the classroom, helping students connect theory to lived experience and emerging technologies. Her research examines the intersections of media, gender, and digital culture. Current projects include a study of time management, productivity, and academic labor, as well as archival research on the men’s rights movement. She recently published an encyclopedia entry on The Manosphere in the De Gruyter Handbook of Digital Cultures (2025). In addition to her teaching and scholarship, Dr. de Coning serves as coordinator of the Legal Studies minor and Dean of the Governor’s School for the Arts 2026, where she supports young artists from across West Virginia in a vibrant three-week summer residency.

  • Majors
    • COMMUNICATION – B.A.

      – The Communication major highlights how we make and interpret meaning through the design, delivery, and evaluation of messages as individuals, in media, and in various cultures and contexts.

      – This major is great for those interested in writing editing and publishing, non- profit organizations, management and human resources, advertising, marketing and public relations, social media management, law and public policy, fundraising and event planning, and much more!

      – This major pairs well with those pursuing a major or minor in Business, Criminal Justice, Computer Science, English, History, International Studies, Management, Philosophy, Psychology, Public Service, Religious Studies, Sociology, and more.

    • MEDIA COMMUNICATION – B.A.

      – The Media Communication major emphasizes the role of media in our lives, as well as how to use media literacy skills and broadcasting techniques to express our perspectives through media.

      – This major is great for those interested in journalism, broadcast media (TV,
      radio, news), content creator/influencer, marketing and public relations, social
      media management, graphic design, video production, documentary-making,
      podcasting, and much more!

      – This major pairs well with those pursuing a major or minor in Art, Computer Science, Gender Studies, Graphic Design, Marketing, Political Science, Sport Business, Theater, and more.

  • Minors
    • COMMUNICATION

      – The Communication minor provides an overview of the field and allows you to
      tailor Communication courses to match your future interests.

      – Create a minor tailored to your interests and career path because you take introduction to Communication courses and then can select electives that fit your future goals.

      – Stand out on the job market by completing our capstone course in which you prepare to market yourself and create a project that highlights the communication skills you have learned at WVWC!

    • BROADCASTING

      – The Broadcasting minor gives you hands-on experience in creating media through campus media production and internship opportunities to enhance your broadcasting skills.

      – With classes focused on television, radio, and news, you’ll gain practical know-how and develop your professional portfolio.

      – Stand out on the job market by completing our capstone course in which you prepare to market yourself and create a project that highlights the broadcasting skills you have learned at WVWC!

    • Programs of Study