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Department of Communication

The APSU Department of Communication offers unique and exciting options for students interested in the field of communication. Students engage in real-world experiences and hands-on learning from the moment they enter our program.

Department of Communication

Welcome to Austin Peay's Department of Communication. We provide creative, hands-on environments to prepare you for the professional world of communication. Here, you’ll learn the skills to understand, manage, and direct the communication channels that shape our communities.

Our dedicated faculty care about the success of our students, and we keep our class sizes low. Whatever your goals, our programs are here to help you make them a reality.

We're excited to help you learn to tell your story.

6
Undergraduate degree concentrations
15:1
Student to Faculty ratio in upper division courses
4
Graduate degree concentrations 

 

Apply Today!

Alum Zoe Farren
Zoe Farren
Public Relations

It’s just really great being able to have these relationships with professors that I never would have even thought that I would have.
Christian Hodges
Christian Hodges
Sports Communication

I loved majoring in sports communication. Everyday I got to study a subject that I love.
Leah Grubb
Leah Grubb
Corporate Communication

When I visited Austin Peay, I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.
Lynsie Cook
Lynsie Cook
Broadcast Media

One thing I love about APSU’s Department of Communication is that they want you to succeed.
Jennifer Lindahl
Jennifer Lindahl
Journalism

My professors have been the best resource that I've used on campus... There are just all sorts of resources that they’ve given me in order to ensure that I am succeeding.
Rachel LeJeune
Rachel LeJeune
Broadcast Media

I’m always thankful for the hands-on experience. I learned to be committed to help the success of our production teams.
Christian Christenson
Corporate Communication

I didn't just leave with tools and skills, I left with real relationships, and that was the difference for me.

Programs of Study

The Department of Communication offers a wide range of degree programs for aspiring communication professionals. Our programs are designed to help you realize your professional goals and have prepared our students to:

Explore our Programs of Study

Department of Communication News

Club Hockey
Breaking the ice: APSU students broadcast Govs Hockey Club

Austin Peay State University sports communication students produce the official live broadcast for Govs Hockey Club. Graduate Assistants Kristian Hunt, Isabella Christenson, Payj Hearn, and Dillon Walton work hard to prep the van with Steve Sawyer.  Read More

Watch the Live Stream of UAB at APSU
Friday (10/18) at 8 p.m. 
Saturday (10/19) at 3 p.m.

Sports Communication
BEA On-Location
APSU COMM travels to Atlanta, GA for BEA On-Location

Sports Communication students Monique Bradley, Madalyn Stubblefield and Graduate Assistant Bryce Robinson join Program Director Barry Gresham and Professors David Ellison and Karen Bullis to present at the October 2024 Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Annual On-Location Conference. Karen Bullis takes home an Award of Excellence for her "Flag Football" documentary.

TCA Awards
APSU COMM Students and Faculty win big at TCA

Kelsey Mead won Outstanding Graduate Student Paper and Dr. Tracy Nichols was honored as Outstanding Graduate Mentor and Educator of the Year at the 2024 Tennessee Communication Association (TCA) Conference. Students Hope Gray, Elijah Wiley and Julian Ali won first place PSA in the Film Showcase. Dr. Jessica Morris organized the conference and stepped into her role as President-Elect and, with her Event Planning students, hosted a successful event for communication professionals and educators across the state.

ALUM Jandro Herrera
Alum Jandro Herrera's deep love for all things sports

Tune in to 'Govs on the Go' to hear from Jandro! As a proud Clarksville native and alum of Sports Communication, Jandro has a deep love for all sports. He played soccer in high school and now coaches a soccer league, all while serving as Director of Recruitment and Orientation at Austin Peay.

'Govs on the Go' with Jandro Herrera

Sports Communication
Waving Goodbye
Waving goodbye at the best spring semester

We had the best Comm Cookout ❤️🤍🖤 Good luck on finals and graduation Govs! #apsucommdept #cookout #spring #apsu @apsucommdept

Students in our Social Media Minor train as Social Media Associates, Social Media Managers, Social Media Marketers, Social Media Directors, or Social Media Influencers.

Explore our Social Media Minor
Event Planning
Discover the art of Event Planning

We'd love to have you join us in the Department of Communication's Event Planning minor. This minor prepares you to assume leadership roles in the industry and offers in-depth knowledge of event planning, event execution, as well as, hands-on experience working with professionals. 

Check out the Reel with Dr. Baron

Event Planning Minor
Event Planning
'The Girls of Summer' explores Barbie, Beyonce & Taylor Swift's cultural impact

Students take a closer look at 'The Girls of Summer' through Dr. Christina Hicks-Goldston's innovative new class. Barbie, Beyonce and Taylor Swift have spent the past year shaping the national conversation and driving the global economy. The course is based on Dr.HG's research into the trio's influence on society.

Read More about the course
National Sports Media Association Student Chapter
National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Student Chapter completes its ninth year

The National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Student Chapter at APSU just completed its ninth year as a registered student organization on the APSU campus. 

APSU's NSMA Student Chapter

Sports Communication
COMMunity Day
COMM-unity Day 2024

The APSU Department of Communication invites incoming freshman to find their people and their home at APSU. This event is designed to give our new COMM Govs a chance to meet each other, their faculty, and current students. We spend the day checking out ALL THINGS COMM!

Brought to you by Dr. Jessica Morris and our Event Planning Minor students!

Event Planning Minor
Leadership Clarksville 2024
Leadership Clarksville

Members of the 2024 Leadership Clarksville class stop by the Department of Communication WAPX-FM/Magic 91.9 and APSU-TV Studios to learn about the Broadcast Media program and talk about Community Leadership. Look closely. You'll see our very own Dean Buzz is part of the 2024 Leadership Clarksville class.

Watch podcast filmed at APSU-TV Studios

Explore Broadcast Media

Alumni Spotlight

Zoe Farren
Cape Cod to Clarksville

Zoe Farren transferred to APSU in Spring 2022. The transition wasn’t always smooth but supportive professors and real-world experience made the difference. Working with Kara Zahn, CoALs' director of communications, Zoe networked with industry professionals while helping to plan and staff events, sparking her interest in sports public relations and event planning.

Read More of Zoe's Story

Public Relations Concentration
Christian Hodges
Distinguished Alumni Award

Alum Christian Hodges is an EVS operator for the National Football League (NFL) Network, where he builds in-game highlights, instant replays, video content playback and media packages. He demonstrates a great deal of grit and perseverance in his professional career. We commend his willingness to give back to current students. Read More

'Govs on the Go' with Christian

Sports Communication
Sports Journalism
Alum hones her passion for Sports Journalism

Alum Jennifer Lindahl pursued her passion for sports journalism despite balancing motherhood and the pandemic. Our supportive professors and a tight-knit community helped her thrive. She aims to write for a hockey organization, driven by her love to tell the human stories behind sports.

Read More

Explore our Journalism Concentration
Brittney Hitch
Alum praises beloved Professor Mike Dunn

Alum Brittney Hitch finished her degree in 2016 before joining the Nashville Predators. Hitch praises Mike Dunn as her adviser, and talks about what it takes to be a college student.

“I just can’t thank everybody there enough for my time.”

Watch 'Govs on the Go' with Brittney

Public Relations Concentration
Lynsie Cook
APSU Alumna has ‘Surreal’ experience at HBO’s ‘Euphoria’

Alum Lynsie Cook graduated from Austin Peay in 2018 in the Broadcast Media Concentration and was thoroughly involved in APSU-TV where shows are student-led and -created.

“The people I work with understand story in a way I could have never imagined,” Lynsie Cook said.

Read More

Explore Broadcast Media
Lynsie Cook
Alum Rachel LeJeune wins News Emmy

“The Austin Peay communication department provided me with real news set experience that helped me land a job in a Top 30 TV market,” LeJeune said. “I’m always thankful for the hands-on experience.”

Read More

Explore Broadcast Media

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Rob Baron
Dr. Rob Baron, Chair

Dr. Baron's journey to academia was shaped by his early love for speech and debate. Hailing from Minnesota, he followed his passion, eventually coaching speech and debate. Now a digital rhetorician, his research delves into the intersection of technology and human communication, exploring topics such as social media dynamics, video games as cultural texts, and the evolution of indie gaming culture.

"Govs on the Go" with Dr. Baron
Barry Gresham
Professor Barry Gresham

Gresham’s student sports productions at APSU have received eight different awards from the Ohio Valley Conference; twice named the Program of Excellence. His play-by-play broadcasts were honored three times with the OVC’s Professionalism in Announcing Award. Gresham has served as a play-by-play announcer for APSU, Western Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee State, Sirius Satellite Radio, Comcast Sports Southeast, ESPN3 and ESPN+.

"Govs on the Go" with Barry Gresham
Barry Gresham
Dr. Pam Gray, Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Pam Gray's recent recognition as the recipient of the College of Arts and Letters' Excellence in Teaching Award speaks volumes about her commitment to education.

Learn about Dr. Gray's dynamic teaching approach, Study Abroad trips, and her show, Two Crazy Ladies on a Golf Cart featuring herself and Dr. Tracy Nichols.

"Govs on the Go" with Dr. Pam Gray
Dr. Tracy Nichols
Dr. Tracy Nichols, Faculty Spotlight

Learn how Dr. Nichols came to teach at Austin Peay, how theatre impacted her life, the courses she teaches, service learning, and a shared passion project between herself, Mike Dunn, Rob Baron, and Jessica Morris: an in-house textbook free to all students on campus for the Public Speaking courses.

"Govs on the Go" with Dr. Tracy Nichols

 

Apply Today!

Celeste Malone
Celeste Malone

“APSU has continuously challenged and pushed me to become the person I am today.”

Leah Grubb
Leah Grubb

“When I visited Austin Peay, I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

Lynsie
Lynsie Cook

“One thing I love about APSU’s Department of Communication is that they want you to succeed. Whatever you want to do, the professors will make sure you get those opportunities.”

Rachel
Rachel LeJeune

“I’m always thankful for the hands-on experience. I learned to be committed to help the success of our production teams.”

Sarah Eskildson
Sarah Eskildson

“My communication degree will equip me to spread the awareness about human trafficking and advocate to end the injustice.”