We believe research affects positive change in the community and is integral to the undergraduate education experience. Through their collaboration with faculty and community partners, students discover how their work can serve others, from families to organizations. In recent years, students have completed research locally and abroad in the fields of journalism, public relations, art, rhetoric, and performance and have conducted applied research with IBM, Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, among others.
Classes such as Writing for the Media, Research Methods, Intercultural Communication, and Rhetorical Criticism prepare students to engage in a broad spectrum of research protocols, and classroom assignments embedded into the curriculum help students build their portfolio of research skills.
Through careful study and mentorship, students cultivate the critical skills and character necessary to excel in top graduate and professional programs, build successful careers, and nourish the global community. Many students conclude their college careers by conducting an independent research project or an honors class.