Department of Communication
If you’re looking for hands-on, professional-level experiences that start on your first semester, look no further than the Department of Communication at Otterbein University. Host your own radio show, run a camera for live coverage of a sports event, write for a campus magazine or news website, plan an event, execute a campaign for a real client, and so much more. Classes, practicum, and internship opportunities, as well as leadership roles in student media and pre-professional organizations prepare you for careers in media and communication.
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Student, Faculty, & Alumni Spotlights
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
I came into Otterbein as an undeclared major very unsure of what to do with my life. I eventually stumbled on public relations and communications and really enjoyed the classes I was taking. I participate in a variety of activities on campus, including Otterbein University Student Government, Sigma Delta Phi fraternity, Otterbein Deaf Culture Club and more. I work as a receptionist and as the diversity recruitment assistant in the Office of Admissions, at the Center for Community Engagement community garden, and as an orientation leader. Otterbein has given me a variety of opportunities that have made my time here great!
Timmy Wotring ’23
Communication Studies and Public Relations double major with minors in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Race & Ethnic Studies.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
I knew I would have a meaningful college experience at Otterbein. Towers Hall was calling my name. I have realized that everyone on campus wants to see me succeed. My internship with the Office of Marketing and Communications has made me realize that I am passionate about media relations and I look forward to growing my skills over the next few years..
Madelyn Nelson ’23
Public Relations major with Communication Studies and Marketing minors
Get your own byline. Learn to write, design, edit, and package a story with print, audio, and video components. Broadcast live while learning the talent of on-air announcing or camera operation. Be part of a team that engages broadly with the campus community and reports on news, arts, and sports. Build your editorial portfolio and connect with local journalists who help advise aspiring writers.
Join Otterbein’s PRSSA chapter and be one of more than 7,000 students from across the country who are finding internships, scholarships, and careers through their connections. Guest speakers, professional mixers, and tours of local agencies are some of the activities you’ll enjoy as you learn more about the growing field of public relations.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Sposato held double majors in Public Relations and Journalism & Media Communication. She completed internships with Otterbein University, OhioHealth, and Huntington and wrote an article for the New York Times. “I feel really fortunate and grateful for the way everything turned out for me,” Sposato said. “It all started with that valuable internship experience.”
Aselya Sposato ’20
Corporate Communications Specialist, Huntington National Bank
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Wallace oversees communication, marketing, and public relations for three animal hospitals. Her major and internships in public relations prepared her for this opportunity as well as her previous role as communication coordinator for Red Roof Inns. “The experience I had from internships and working on campus set me apart from my competition,” she said. Currently an Otterbein MBA student, she creates and implements strategic plans for the three MedVet hospitals.
Jenese Wallace ’18
Regional Marketing Partner, MedVet
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
A Journalism & Media Communication major, González took on any job that gave him experience particularly in sports writing and calling games for WOBN-FM. “All of the hands-on opportunities Otterbein offered gave me the knowledge and skills that I used to seize every opportunity that led me to my career.” Prior to Stanford, González was the director of video and network production in the Holy Cross University athletics program. “Otterbein students need to focus on building connections,” he said. “…the people at Otterbein are there to help you succeed beyond the classroom.”
Elijah González ’17
Assistant Director of Technical Operations, Stanford University Athletics.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Travis pictured himself in clinical health care until he took communication classes and discovered the Health Communication major. Today he is an associate attorney with Marshall Dennehey law firm in Cleveland representing hospitals, health care systems and physicians. His passion for the health care industry led him to pursue health-care law at Capital University. “Relationships with your professors and advisors really go a long way in helping you find a path forward,” he said.
Travis Huffman ’17
Associate Attorney with Marshall Dennehey Law Firm
Love to speak? Find yourself persuading others about important topics? Consider joining either the speech or debate team. Hone your presentation skills and then enjoy traveling to other campuses to meet other students in friendly, but sometimes fierce, competition! All along the way, build a skill employers desire—effective public speaking!
Students at WOBN-FM learn how to do remotes and live airshifts on the NexGen Automation system. Enjoy producing your own radio show, inviting guests to provide on-air insight, or editing your own podcast.
“Use college as your laboratory. Make mistakes and keep learning. Try something different. Don’t dismiss it if it’s not your first choice.”
Dr. Eric Jones
Associate Professor & WOBN-FM adviser
Small, seminar-style English classes immerse you in rich conversation about life’s biggest questions. Our diverse curriculum might lead you to study film noir or flash fiction; Afrofuturism or the art of travel; graphic narrative or American gothic; neo-Victorian novels or nature poetry; 70s cinema or social justice; playwriting or podcasting.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Eric Jones sees the boundaries of the Otterbein community extending far beyond Otterbein’s property lines. Jones’ idea of community reaches deep into Columbus neighborhoods wherever Jones feels he can make a difference.
Eric Jones
Associate Professor
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Otterbein University is not only filled with amazing students, but it is also filled with amazing faculty. Every faculty member deserves recognition for their amazing work that they have done and will continue to do. To highlight just one, professor Mike Moon has accomplished honorable things, and deserves recognition.
Michael Moon
Instructor
Department Features & Student Opportunities
Scholarships
Communications majors can receive a wide range of scholarships and awards, including our department’s Communication Abilities scholarship, which ranges from $4,000 to $12,000 over four years.
Internships
Our students find internships as event planners, social media content producers, video creators, media liaisons, internal communication specialists, and more. These hands-on experiences often lead to successful job placements.
Facilities
The Department of Communication building is always buzzing with active student learning in classrooms, organization offices, informal study spaces, industry-standard production studios and computer labs, including a fully equipped video studio and a student-run radio station.
Communication Department News
Otterbein Students Benefit Tremendously from Blue Jackets’ Affiliation
News - October 1, 2021
By Grace Weidenhamer ’23 Columbus Blue Jackets Since day one of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 2000-01 inaugural season, Otterbein has had a presence with the team. The Blue Jackets’ first foundation executive director was Otterbein alumna Wendy Bradshaw, a position she held for more than 10 years. For a decade since then, Otterbein public relations (PR) and journalism students have had the opportunity to experience the world of professional sports through internships in media relations, communications, broadcasting and fundraising. The…
Otterbein Sophomore Payton Kaufman Interviews Notorious RBG’s Daughter
News - September 27, 2021
By Payton Kaufman’24 Editor’s Note: PR major and Otterbein soccer player Payton Kaufman often declares her devotion to all things Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Here is Kaufman’s account of her July Zoom interview of Columbia Law Professor Jane Ginsburg, RBG’s daughter, who was in France at the time. I thought my communication professor and adviser, Dan Steinberg, was joking when he told me I would be interviewing Columbia law professor Jane Ginsburg, RBG’s daughter, in a few days. Steinberg jokes a…
What I Did This Summer: Otterbein Junior Entertains at Walt Disney World
News - September 8, 2021
By Alyssa Ranney ‘23 Public Relations major This summer was the start of my Disney College Program internship with The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Florida. To work for such a highly respected company is such an honor, and a great way to get my foot in the door with the company that I have dreamed of working for since I was a little girl. Last year, I was accepted into the program before COVID-19 put us all into a shutdown. I was slated to work my absolute dream job, performing as a park character and parade walker. Since this…Programs of Study in Communication
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