The School of
COMMUNICATION


Areas of Study

Faculty Focus

School of Communication director discusses upbringing, family, interests, and becoming the first director of the new school

 Since its inception in November of 2021, the School of Communication at Oregon State University has been led by Dr. Colin Hesse, who joined the Department of Speech Communication back in 2013.

You may know that Dr. Hesse is the director of the school, or that he currently teaches courses such as family communication, but what you may not know about Dr. Hesse in passing is that he is a husband, father of three, barbeque lover, Seattle sports fanatic, and “absolutely atrocious at golf.”

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Student Focus

From Sea to Degree

How student Lauren Steenson earned a spot in the Coast Guard’s advanced education program to pursue New Media Communications at Oregon State University

Most students end up in college the same way. They apply, get accepted, and choose a degree to pursue. But for Lauren Steenson, she did not end up in Oregon State University’s New Media Communications program the traditional way. Steenson had to really work for it.

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Student Focus

Jax Richards: A Spherical Engagement with Life

In a world more socially connected than at any other moment in history, the importance of collaborative, diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to solving problems has become increasingly valued. Jax Richards is a student at Oregon State University who recognized that very early.

OSU’s campus culture inherently encourages students in the College of Liberal Arts, the second most populated college on campus, to communicate and make connections with students from other seemingly distant fields.
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Jax Richards

Student Focus

The Intersection of Speech Communication and the Marine Corps

Graduate Sam Hang applies her degree in speech communication to her identity as a Marine

Sam Hang is a 2022 Oregon State University graduate and recipient of an Outstanding Senior award in the School of Communication. Having graduated with a degree in speech communication, Hang applies what she has learned from her major to her everyday life, including her identity as a Marine. Hang has served in the Marines for several years, and was recently commissioned to be an officer in the Marine Corps.

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Faculty Focus

Assistant Professor Xuerong Lu focuses her research on crisis communication, offers a wide range of media courses

After a visit to the Oregon State University campus and a memorable first impression amongst faculty, Xuerong Lu became an assistant professor in the School of Communication in the fall of 2022. According to Lu, she was drawn to the camaraderie within OSU’s community.

“As expected, the collaborative and supportive environment in the School of Communication is amazing,” Lu said. “All the senior faculty here have really helped me adapt into a new environment. It’s also great to be able to talk with my many colleagues about my research.”

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School of Communication Events