communigator

Digital Communication Laboratory

Changing technology is also impacting the fields of public relations, advertising and public interest communications and the development of the next phase of the CMIR will allow the students in those disciplines to hone their skills and develop successful campaigns and programs across multiple media platforms.

The to-be-named Laboratory will allow students and faculty to create and examine new forms of content, delivery and engagement and will provide an environment that inspires students and faculty to explore emergent technologies and connectivity.

“The study and practices of public relations and advertising are becoming increasingly interdependent and complementary,” said Public Relations Department Chair Spiro Kiousis. “The challenges in our disciplines are ever-evolving as people pull information and are less affected by push technologies, and stories are flows of events instead of a single event that can be controlled and managed.”

For the College’s students, this Laboratory will open up a new creative arena. “The Digital Communication lab is expected to help usher our students into a new era of interdisciplinary communication and research,” said Assistant Professor of Advertising Troy Elias. “Ideally, this lab will allow our students to showcase their skills and get involved in local, regional, and national projects. Ultimately, our goal is to have our students help shape and understand the future of digital communication and its impact on our field.”

For the college’s faculty, the hope is that the lab can also function as a major research facility and as a place where they can continue to learn through workshops provided by either the College’s faculty members in their fields of expertise or through external sources the College invites.

Public Relations Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator Juan-Carlos Molleda is chairing a team of faculty and staff to explore the lab’s potential, design and timetable for its opening.

“We continue to gather feedback from our students and faculty,” said Molleda. “We want a space that is conducive to working groups, that is inviting and inspires creativity – it’s about connecting people. We also are working with our Public Relations and Advertising advisory boards. Their feedback on the project is very important.”

The College is hoping to open the Digital Communication Laboratory in late fall/early winter, and development officers are talking with public relations and advertising alumni who may be interested in supporting the development of this lab.

“It is because of the support of our alumni and friends that we can continue to develop these cutting-edge technologies for our students,” said Mike Harding, senior director of development. “We want to empower our students in the public relations and advertising departments with the skills and qualities needed to create and implement campaigns and programs using these innovative platforms. “