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

Journalism and Art Major Has Published Three Books of Poetry
News - March 16, 2023
By Erica Bush ’25 After two years of dedication and hard work, Otterbein sophomore Alina Baer self-published her third poetry and prose book, Water on Jupiter, in February. Alina Baer In addition to Water on Jupiter, Baer has authored and self-published The Orange Crayon and Charcoal and Diamonds. All three of Baer’s works are available for purchase on Amazon. “I really like poetry because it feels like an expression of thoughts. It doesn’t have to be perfect,” Baer said. “Life is…
First Career Jumpstart Builds Networking Skills for Communications and Business Majors
News - February 2, 2023
More than 25 alumni returned to campus for Student Success and Career Development’s first Career Jumpstart on Jan. 26. The event was designed to help students connect with alumni in the communication and business, accounting, and economics fields while also learning tips and tricks for networking and securing internships. It included a panel discussion, networking mixer, and workshops on topics like LinkedIn and Handshake. Free professional headshots for students were also offered at the event. Student Success and Career Development…
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…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