Department of Communication
Welcome to Austin Peay's Department of Communication. We provide creative, hands-on environments to prepare you for the professional world of communication. Here, you’ll learn the skills to understand, manage, and direct the communication channels that shape our communities.
Our dedicated faculty care about the success of our students, and we keep our class sizes low. Whatever your goals, our programs are here to help you make them a reality.
We're excited to help you learn to tell your story.
Programs of Study
The Department of Communication offers a wide range of degree programs for aspiring communication professionals. Our programs are designed to help you realize your professional goals and have prepared our students to:
- Lead natural disaster relief efforts like Leah in Corporate Communication
- Cover top football events at the NFL Network like Christian in Sports Communication
- Win a News Emmy like Rachel or intern at HBO's "Euphoria" like Lynsie in Broadcast Media
- Combat human trafficking abroad like Sarah in Journalism
- Intern at Twitter/X's headquarters in San Francisco like Celeste in Public Relations
Department of Communication News
This service learning program is open to all majors with at least sophomore status. It offers a unique opportunity to experience nonprofit organizations on a local and global level… and to have fun! Students have worked locally with The Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Salvation Army. In England, they serve with The British Red Cross, the Great Britain Habitat for Humanity, and meet with the staff at the International Salvation Army Headquarters.
Join us Tuesday, November 5th at 7 p.m. CT for live local election coverage. Watch on CDE Channel 9, Spectrum 192 and UVerse 99. Find us on YouTube and Facebook Live @APSU-TV Clarksville.
Student Produced and special guest Dr. David Kanervo.
Austin Peay State University sports communication students produce the official live broadcast for Govs Hockey Club. Graduate Assistants Kristian Hunt, Isabella Christenson, Payj Hearn, and Dillon Walton work hard to prep the van with Steve Sawyer. Read More
Watch the Live Stream of UAB at APSU
Friday (10/18) at 8 p.m.
Saturday (10/19) at 3 p.m.
Kelsey Mead won Outstanding Graduate Student Paper and Dr. Tracy Nichols was honored as Outstanding Graduate Mentor and Educator of the Year at the 2024 Tennessee Communication Association (TCA) Conference. Students Hope Gray, Elijah Wiley and Julian Ali won first place PSA in the Film Showcase. Dr. Jessica Morris organized the conference and stepped into her role as President-Elect and, with her Event Planning students, hosted a successful event for communication professionals and educators across the state.
Tune in to 'Govs on the Go' to hear from Jandro! As a proud Clarksville native and alum of Sports Communication, Jandro has a deep love for all sports. He played soccer in high school and now coaches a soccer league, all while serving as Director of Recruitment and Orientation at Austin Peay.
We had the best Comm Cookout ❤️🤍🖤 Good luck on finals and graduation Govs! #apsucommdept #cookout #spring #apsu @apsucommdept
Students in our Social Media Minor train as Social Media Associates, Social Media Managers, Social Media Marketers, Social Media Directors, or Social Media Influencers.
We'd love to have you join us in the Department of Communication's Event Planning minor. This minor prepares you to assume leadership roles in the industry and offers in-depth knowledge of event planning, event execution, as well as, hands-on experience working with professionals.
Students take a closer look at 'The Girls of Summer' through Dr. Christina Hicks-Goldston's
innovative new class. Barbie, Beyonce and Taylor Swift have spent the past year shaping
the national conversation and driving the global economy. The course is based on Dr.HG's
research into the trio's influence on society.
The National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Student Chapter at APSU just completed its ninth year as a registered student organization on the APSU campus.
The APSU Department of Communication invites incoming freshman to find their people and their home at APSU. This event is designed to give our new COMM Govs a chance to meet each other, their faculty, and current students. We spend the day checking out ALL THINGS COMM!
Brought to you by Dr. Jessica Morris and our Event Planning Minor students!
Alumni Spotlight
Zoe Farren transferred to APSU in Spring 2022. The transition wasn’t always smooth but supportive professors and real-world experience made the difference. Working with Kara Zahn, CoALs' director of communications, Zoe networked with industry professionals while helping to plan and staff events, sparking her interest in sports public relations and event planning.
Alum Christian Hodges is an EVS operator for the National Football League (NFL) Network, where he builds in-game highlights, instant replays, video content playback and media packages. He demonstrates a great deal of grit and perseverance in his professional career. We commend his willingness to give back to current students. Read More
Alum Jennifer Lindahl pursued her passion for sports journalism despite balancing motherhood and the pandemic. Our supportive professors and a tight-knit community helped her thrive. She aims to write for a hockey organization, driven by her love to tell the human stories behind sports.
Alum Brittney Hitch finished her degree in 2016 before joining the Nashville Predators. Hitch praises Mike Dunn as her adviser, and talks about what it takes to be a college student.
“I just can’t thank everybody there enough for my time.”
Alum Lynsie Cook graduated from Austin Peay in 2018 in the Broadcast Media Concentration and was thoroughly involved in APSU-TV where shows are student-led and -created.
“The people I work with understand story in a way I could have never imagined,” Lynsie Cook said.
“The Austin Peay communication department provided me with real news set experience that helped me land a job in a Top 30 TV market,” LeJeune said. “I’m always thankful for the hands-on experience.”
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Baron's journey to academia was shaped by his early love for speech and debate. Hailing from Minnesota, he followed his passion, eventually coaching speech and debate. Now a digital rhetorician, his research delves into the intersection of technology and human communication, exploring topics such as social media dynamics, video games as cultural texts, and the evolution of indie gaming culture.
Gresham’s student sports productions at APSU have received eight different awards from the Ohio Valley Conference; twice named the Program of Excellence. His play-by-play broadcasts were honored three times with the OVC’s Professionalism in Announcing Award. Gresham has served as a play-by-play announcer for APSU, Western Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee State, Sirius Satellite Radio, Comcast Sports Southeast, ESPN3 and ESPN+.
Dr. Pam Gray's recent recognition as the recipient of the College of Arts and Letters' Excellence in Teaching Award speaks volumes about her commitment to education.
Learn about Dr. Gray's dynamic teaching approach, Study Abroad trips, and her show, Two Crazy Ladies on a Golf Cart featuring herself and Dr. Tracy Nichols.
Learn how Dr. Nichols came to teach at Austin Peay, how theatre impacted her life, the courses she teaches, service learning, and a shared passion project between herself, Mike Dunn, Rob Baron, and Jessica Morris: an in-house textbook free to all students on campus for the Public Speaking courses.
