Student Experience
Student Experience
Student Experience in Communication Studies
In the Department of Communication Studies at CSU, what you learn in the classroom is just the beginning. Experimental learning is woven into the undergraduate experience, giving you opportunities to apply your skills in real-world contexts, collaborate with faculty and community partners, and grow both personally and professionally. Whether you are conducting research, engaging with your community, or gaining experience beyond campus, these opportunities deepen your understanding of communication and help you build confidence to make a difference in the world around you.
ACT Human Rights Film Festival
The ACT Human Rights Film Festival screens films from around the world that explore human rights and social justice themes, bringing filmmakers to Fort Collins each April for dialogue, Q&As, and panel discussions. Students can get involved as volunteers, program committee members, or festival assistants. Engagement extends beyond the annual festival through year-round screenings and partnerships with local nonprofits and organizations working on social justice issues.
Center for Public Deliberation
The Center for Public Deliberation facilitates community conversations, helping people talk through challenging issues like affordable housing, climate change, and transportation. Each semester, 15-20 students are selected to be trained facilitators, working directly with community members to foster meaningful dialogue and civic engagement. Student associates work on the front lines of real community change, helping people from all walks of life navigate tough conversations and find common ground.
Undergraduate Research
In the Department of Communication Studies, undergraduate research is a hands-on opportunity to work alongside faculty and contribute to real questions in the field. Whether you are interested in interpersonal relationships, media, or public discourse, there are several ways to get involved.
- Wellness in Interpersonal Relationships and Communication Lab (WIRC) gives you hands-on experience in social science research methods, including conducting focus groups, coding interviews, and collecting data on interpersonal communication dynamics. Learn more about WIRC by contacting Natalie Pennington at natalie.pennington@colostate.edu.
- Western States Communication Association Undergraduate Research Conference is an annual national conference where undergraduate students present scholarly work, receive feedback from experienced researchers, and connect with peers across the field.
- Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity (CURC) is an annual April showcase where students across CSU present research related to their passions and interests alongside peers from a variety of disciplines.
- Multicultural Undergraduate Research, Art and Leadership Symposium (MURALS) provides undergraduate students from across disciplines and backgrounds the opportunity to explore and present a research project related to their scholarly work.
Internships
Internships give you the chance to take your communication skills into professional settings, building experience and connections that go beyond the classroom. Communication studies students have interned across a wide range of industries, from media and marketing to nonprofits, government, and corporate communications. Each experience is an opportunity to grow as a professional, deepen your understanding of the field, and foster a network that supports you long after graduation.
Questions? Contact Internship Coordinator Lyndsey Fowks at CLA-Commstudies_Undergrad@colostate.edu to explore your options.
Education Abraod
Communication Studies offers opportunities to study abroad while earning your degree, including faculty-led programs designed to enhance your understanding of intercultural and global communication. Scholarships are available through the department and CSU’s Education Abroad office to support students accepted into these programs. Explore the full range of opportunities for studying around the world.
Communication in Rome
This month-long summer program led by Dr. Julia Khrebtan-Hoerhager immerses you in the culture, history, and cinematic identity of Rome, Italy. Through coursework and firsthand exploration of sites like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican, you will build intercultural communication skills and develop strategies for dialogue with a global mindset. Students also have the opportunity to take excursions to Tuscany, Florence, the Isle of Capri, and Pompeii.
Check out our blogs from 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 for a snapshot into the program.
Immersion in Murcia
In past summers, Dr. Meara Faw has led students to Murcia, Spain, immersing them in the culture and daily life of the region. Through coursework and firsthand experience living like a local, students explored social support, interpersonal relationships, and health communication through an intercultural lens. From observing everyday interactions in local coffee shops to engaging with the community around them, learning happened both in and out of the classroom, making for an unforgettable experience abroad.
Semester at Sea
This month-long summer program led by Dr. Julia Khrebtan-Hoerhager immerses you in the culture, history, and cinematic identity of Rome, Italy. Through coursework and firsthand exploration of sites like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican, you will build intercultural communication skills and develop strategies for dialogue with a global mindset. Students also have the opportunity to take excursions to Tuscany, Florence, the Isle of Capri, and Pompeii.
Check out our blogs from 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 for a snapshot into the program.
Education Abroad Scholarships
Several scholarships are available to support Communication Studies students who want to study abroad.
Lambda Pi Eta
CSU’s Department of Communication Studies is home to the Mu Sigma Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s undergraduate honor society. Membership recognizes academic excellence in Communication Studies and connects students to a national network of communication scholars. Members participate in an induction ceremony and receive a certificate, pin, and graduation honor cord signifying their lifetime membership.
To learn more about Lambda Pi Eta, contact Amanda Wright at amanda.wright@colostate.edu.
Campus Involvement & Leadership
Beyond the department, CSU offers a wide range of opportunities to put your communication skills into practice, build a community, and grow as a leader.
- Rocky Mountain Student Media is home to the Collegian, KCSU, CTV, and more, giving students hands-on experience producing content for real campus and community audiences.
- Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU) is CSU’s student government, offering opportunities to advocate for your fellow students and develop leadership skills at an institutional level.
- Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement (SLiCE) connects students to service opportunities, leadership programs, and community engagement initiatives across campus, including the President’s Leadership Program.
Scholarships & Awards
If you want to finish your B.A. in Communication Studies in three years, CSU's Accelerated Programs make it possible. By taking 15-16 credits each semester and completing coursework over summer sessions, you can graduate ahead of schedule. Talk to your Academic Success Coordinator to see if it's the right fit for you.
Events & Opportunities
Communication Studies hosts several events throughout the year that bring the department to life outside the classroom. Guest lectures connect you with professionals working at the forefront of the field, while celebrations and open houses give you the chance to meet fellow students, faculty, and the broader CSU community.
VIDA: Learning Community
VIDA is a first‑year Residential Learning Community that helps students build community, explore interests, and connect those interests to academics and careers. Open to Liberal Arts majors and Exploratory Studies students in select tracks, VIDA offers peer support, faculty engagement, and interactive events in Parmelee Hall’s suite-style environment.
Get Involved
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