College of Humanities, Education, and Social & Behavioral Science
DEPARTMENT Of communication & design arts
We help students make the journey from being merely consumers of media to being skilled and thoughtful storytellers, content creators, and designers in a range of professional areas. The Department of Communication & Design Arts offers programs of study in:
Students encounter a curriculum focusing on theory and practice, and their academic work is complemented by hands-on experiences with Fifth Street Communications®, the Andersonian, and Black Bird Media Lab.
Arrive as Anyone.
Become you.
Students also may choose a minor in cinema and media arts, communication, event planning and management, journalism, and public relations. A complete list of minors in the School of Humanities and Behavioral Science is available here.
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Getting involved
The Andersonian
Founded in 1947 as the student newspaper of Anderson University, the Andersonian now does student journalism via an online platform that includes traditional reporting as well as newscasts and audio pieces. The weekly newscast features news and sports headlines and has led to national and statewide recognition through the College Media Association, the Indiana Collegiate Press Association, the Sports Video Group and the Indiana chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Fifth Street Communications®
This student-powered public relations agency enhances the professional preparation of public relations majors by supporting area non-profits with a variety of complimentary communication services. Each semester, non-proft client organizations are matched with an upper-division PR major who serves as an account manager and oversees the work of other students on the client’s behalf. The team develops strategy and content with respect to media relations, websites, publications, event planning and social media. Fifth Street Communications emphasizes creativity, integrity and excellence as it develops future leaders for the PR industry.
Black Bird Media Lab
This is the production and distribution platform for cinema and media arts students as they gain storytelling experience in film, television, and online media. Following in the strong tradition of the Department’s former production company, Covenant Productions, Black Bird Media Lab shares its name with an annual film festival that showcases the work of student and alumni filmmakers.
Meet Our Department Team
We’d love to connect with you.
_ Communications & Design Arts
Christie Franklin
Administrative Assistant
Terri Gibson
Instructor of Communication
Jason Higgs
Associate Professor of Visual Communication
Arthur Kelly
Instructor of Communication
Dr. Stefanie Leiter
Department Chair, Communication & Design Arts Associate Professor of Public Relations, Director of Summer School
Jack Lugar
Professor of Cinema & Media Arts
Kris Rinas
Director of Studio and Technical Operations
Benjamen Risinger
Instructor of Communication
Holly R. Sims
Assistant Professor of Visual Communication Design