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

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.


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
“I worked on the student magazine and eventually become editor-in-chief. I think it is a really great community builder and I have learned leadership skills in the process.”
Julia Grimm ’22
Public Relations and Journalism and Media Communication Major
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

Speech and Debate Team Shows Strong Return to In-Person Competition
News - October 31, 2022
Otterbein’s Speech and Debate Team returned to in-person competition with an exciting weekend of wins. The tournament, held at Otterbein on Oct. 8, had 11 schools participate with a total of 45 debates and 35 speech competitors. Otterbein’s speech and debate competitors had a strong performance, according to Professor of Communication Susan Millsap, Otterbein’s team coach. “Sophomore Emma Chapman went 2-2 in her first time debating in the varsity division. Senior Evyenia Smith participated in her first tournament ever and won…
National Teaching Award Recipient Eric Jones Wants Otterbein Students to “Learn by Doing”
News - May 6, 2022
Otterbein Associate Professor of Communication Eric Jones recently received the Exemplary Teaching Award, a national honor by the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education. His work at Otterbein to create an inclusive, equitable, and understanding learning environment has been impactful beyond measure. His colleagues note that he “teaches, mentors and influences in a quiet, unassuming manner that generates the trust and respect of each and every student with whom he works.” Outside the classroom, Jones has offered his…
Otterbein Professor Connects Alumna with Internship that Turned into Full-Time Job
News - March 11, 2022
By Bridget Oder ’23 Rachel Fish '21 Rachel Fish graduated from Otterbein in December 2021 with a major in public relations. Staying in touch with her professors led to an internship and, eventually, a full-time position. Senior Instructor Dan Steinberg knew Fish was interested in working in graphic design. He sent her a job posting for an assistant graphic designer with Sports Imports, a volleyball equipment and design firm. She applied, interviewed, and got the position. While working as…Programs of Study in Communication
B.A.
Communication Studies
B.A.
Health Communication
B.A.
Journalism & Media Communication
B.A.
Public Relations
Contact Us
33 Collegeview Road
1 South Grove St
Westerville, OH 43081
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Conley
614-823-3380
conley6@otterbein.edu
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