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
“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
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
From Dreams to Reality: Students Go Behind-the-Scenes in Washington, D.C., Thanks to Professor
News - November 8, 2024
By Ikra Koriyow ’25 with Jennatta Mensah ’25 When Communication Professor Nichelle McNabb asked us if we wanted to go on an insider’s visit to Washington, D.C., during fall break, I was ecstatic. I never thought this opportunity would present itself during my Otterbein educational career and the fact that she thought to bring me was really considerate. L-R: Jennatta Mensah ’25, Ikra Koriyow ’25, Professor Nichelle McNabb, Tony Bishop III ’15, MSAH ’18 Dr. McNabb explained that we would…
Cool Courses: 411 on Election 2024
News - September 9, 2024
Communication Professor Nichelle McNabb is on a mission to empower students in a system that sometimes makes them feel powerless. Enter her First Year Seminar course, 411 on Election 2024. We asked her to share more about this cool course! FYS 1039: 411 on Election 2024 Course description: It is easy to be disillusioned by politics and to convince oneself that individual citizens are not empowered to make improvements. However, this situation seems hopeless because of how the election and daily…
Senior Gets Head Start on Journalism Career Reporting on Politics at Ohio Statehouse
News - April 19, 2024
By Maggie Nicol ’25 Gaining confidence, asking questions, and writing about difficult topics — these are all skills that senior Lilly Peter ’24 has learned while interning for Hannah News Service at the Ohio Statehouse. Lilly Peter ’24 As an intern, Peter gets hands-on experiences and works as if she is another writer in the office. “I started out slow, I went with a journalist and watched them take notes and ask questions to the politicians, and then after the…Programs of Study in Communication
B.A.
Communication Studies
B.A.
Health Communication
B.A.
Journalism & Media Communication
B.A.
Public Relations
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Contact Us
33 Collegeview Road
1 South Grove St
Westerville, OH 43081
Administrative Assistant
Debra FitzGibbons
614-823-3380
fitzgibbons1@otterbein.edu
