Department of Communications
The mission of the Department of Communications is to provide intellectually rigorous paths of study in communications including Journalism, Design, Integrated Media, Public Relations and Marketing Communications, Interaction Design and Web Development, Social Media, and Cinema and Media Studies. Our programs emphasize the development of critical thinking, critical making, superior writing, visual intelligence, technical competence, and effective oral communication.
Studying Communications at Simmons University
By blending integrative learning with a deep understanding of communications and media theory, the department provides in-depth professional preparation for various fields in communications. Students actively engage with the challenge of communication across media for the screen, the page, and the web while gaining an understanding of the impact of the media on society and the individual. The department faculty is committed to standards of excellence and to the creation of a climate where students strive to make a difference in the community.
These objectives are accomplished in a supportive environment of collaboration, creativity, and active engagement with experiential learning led by a faculty of professionals and scholars.
Learn More About The Department of Communications
Technology
The Communications Department has integrated the effective use of technology in our curriculum at every level.
Simmons Radio
The Simmons University Radio studio streams live programming - known as The Shark - onto the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Learning Outcomes
Communication Skills, Making Meaning, Professional Engagement
Department of Communications in the News
Congratulations to the 2024 SURPASs Scholars
Twelve undergraduate scholars from different disciplines have been selected to join the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs), a highly competitive, fully funded research and mentorship program. During this six week intensive, students will work with a faculty mentor to execute an independent research project of their own design and development.
Professor of Communications Bob White Featured in Oral History Collection of Artists During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 lockdown (2020–2021), local photographer and filmmaker Jerry Russo interviewed hundreds of artists about their experiences of isolation, including Professor of Communications Bob White. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has since archived this oral history collection.
Securing a Legacy: Carolyn Shute ’88 ’91MA Establishes Endowed Scholarship for Professor Emeritus James Corcoran
Jim Corcoran, Associate Professor Emeritus, left a 35-year legacy of teaching students in Communications at Simmons. Thanks to the support of many donors and the work of his wife, Carolyn Shute ’88 ’91MA, the James P. Corcoran Scholarship has been established to honor that legacy, in perpetuity.
Professor Bob White Receives 2022 Alden Poole Faculty Mentor Award
Bob White, Professor of Communications in the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities, is the 2022 recipient of the Alden Poole Faculty Mentor Award. This award recognizes a faculty member in the Ifill College who has had a...
Remembering Jim Corcoran, Associate Professor Emeritus
President Lynn Perry Wooten shares the news of the passing of Associate Professor Emeritus Jim Corcoran, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and longtime chair of the Simmons Department of Communications.
Simmons Faculty Recognized for Innovative Teaching During the Pandemic
Simmons University received a $10,000 Presidential Grant through the Davis Education Foundation to fund a Post-Pandemic Innovative Teaching Award.
Simmons University’s Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities Welcomes Six New Faculty Members
Cohort of talented faculty helps fulfill commitments to student success and faculty diversity.
Meet Your Professor: Erica Moura
Erica Moura '10, the new Faculty Director of Student-Driven Media, has dedicated her career to sharing stories. From covering the Boston Marathon bombings to the White Bulger trial, learn more about Erica's impressive journalism career.
Spotlight on Communications Students and Alums
Alumna’s Perspective on College Life and Building Networks
Courtney Knapp received an undergraduate degree in philosophy and political science with a minor in communications. Subsequently, Knapp completed the graduate program in gender and cultural studies in 2006. For the last seven years, Knapp has been at the Pratt Institute and recently started a new role as the Chair of the Pratt Institute Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment.
Alumna Uses Communications Degrees to Navigate US Politics
Maya Valentine double majored in public relations and marketing communications, and communications on the journalism track. Valentine was active in the Simmons Student Government Association, The Simmons Voice, the Black Student Organization, and was a Resident Advisor. Valentine is the Press Secretary for US Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.
Alumna Communicates Scientific Discovery at National Park
Julia Rush ’24 is the 2025 Cathy and Jim Gero Acadia Early-Career Fellow in Science Communication for the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park. We spoke with her about her love of journalism and the outdoors, and the essential training she received at Simmons.
Alum Profiled for Dedication to Making Culture Accessible
Olawumi “Ola” Akinwumi ’13MA, who serves as president of the Roxbury Cultural District (RCD), is a dynamic cultural strategist, event producer, and community engagement leader who is committed to celebrating communities of color through arts, culture, and storytelling.
Communications Alumna’s Journey from Simmons to Scotland
Amanda Perry ’22 studied literature and minored in communications at Simmons University during the height of the COVID–19 pandemic. Perry has gone on to complete her master’s degree in English while studying abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She lives in London and is pursuing a career in publishing.
Honing Hands-on Editing and Interdisciplinary Journalism
Alicia Guzman ’25 reflects on the supportive faculty members she found at Simmons, her favorite courses, the research projects she conducted, and how she became inspired to pursue a media studies degree in graduate school.
Sexual Health Research, Travel, and Community Involvement
Angie O'Connor ’25, a first-generation college student, reflects on her four years at Simmons — doing research, studying abroad, and being involved with several affinity organizations.
Studio 5: A Student-owned Curriculum
Studio 5 constitutes the senior Capstone project for communications and public relations/marketing communications majors at Simmons. We take a closer look at the hands-on, experiential learning model of Studio 5, Simmons’ student-run communications agency.
Communications Faculty and Staff
Chair
Briana Martino
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Full-time Faculty
Kat Lombard-Cook
Assistant Professor and Design and Integrated Media Tracks Director
Erica Moura
Associate Professor of Practice and Student-Driven Media Director and Journalism Track Director
Bob White
Professor
Part-time Faculty
Julia Barber
Assistant Teaching Professor
Hogan Seidel
Assistant Teaching Professor
Adjunct Faculty
Stacy Clougherty
Adjunct Faculty
Ren Deacon
Adjunct Faculty
Traci Griffith
Adjunct Faculty
Crystal Haynes Copithorne
Adjunct Faculty
Amma Marfo
Adjunct Faculty
Nick Osborne
Adjunct Faculty
Lucia Rodriguez
Adjunct Faculty
Melissa Taing
Adjunct Faculty
Staff
Luke Romanak
Associate Director, Student Driven Media and Academic Technology
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Department of Communications
The Department of Communications provides an intellectually rigorous path of study of communications media. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, superior writing capabilities, a contemporary visual intelligence, technical competence, and effective oral communication.