Message from the Director

Hello! For those I haven’t yet met, I am Laura Beth Daws, Associate Professor of Communication and formerly the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies in the School of Communication & Media. I joined KSU in 2015 and have been part of the Media & Entertainment faculty, teaching Intro to Mass Communication, Uses & Effects, Research Methods, and courses in our graduate program and certificate. I am excited to take on the role of Interim Director for the 2021-22 academic year.

This year, we are focusing on student success. We hope to improve our communication with you, and give you more opportunities for engagement, both in and out of the classroom. We hope you will consider joining one of our student organizations, such as Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society, PRSSA, or SPJ. We also hope you will get involved with KSU student media. Offer to help with Owl Radio, The Peak, or The Sentinel this year! They are great resume builders and excellent ways to get started with your career in communication.

Also, be on the lookout for major-specific events. Many of you are passionate about what you’re studying but need some help figuring out how to turn your degree into a career. Our Program Coordinators will be hosting events through the year that spotlight careers in Journalism & Emerging Media, Media & Entertainment, Organizational & Professional Communication, and Public Relations. We hope you will join us in conversation there!

Please let me or our faculty know how we might best serve you this year. We appreciate you being part of our degree programs, and hope to hear from you very soon!

Dr. Laura Beth Daws

Interim Director & Associate Professor 

School of Communication & Media