Appalachian State University Department of Communication

Appalachian State University Department of Communication Our curriculum gives students hands on, real-time experiences that transform how they see the world a

The Department of Communication is one of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University. It offers a comprehensive student experience bringing together all facets of contemporary communication, including a unique blend of five distinct majors: Advertising, Communication Studies, Electronic Media & Broadcasting, Journalism, and Public Relations. Th

e Department of Communication combines the history, theory, and philosophy of communication with applied, real-world industries and experience. Our department strives to excel in delivering the best in education, where the humanities, sciences, and technologies meet. The department’s award-winning faculty offer hands-on experience in the world-class Beasley Media Complex, serving as the hub for WASU radio, The Appalachian student news service, and AppTV. Graduates work in a wide range of positions in media, corporate, agency, government, and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Volha Kananovich, an associate professor of digital journalism in the Department of Communication, has been recogniz...
05/27/2026

Dr. Volha Kananovich, an associate professor of digital journalism in the Department of Communication, has been recognized with the First Place Open Competition Award by the Newspaper and Online News Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).

Her work, titled “Whose Money Is It, Anyway? The Effects of News Framing of Public Funds as ‘Taxpayers’ Money’ vs. ‘Government Spending’ on Citizen Oversight,” examines how different ways of describing government spending in news stories can shape citizens’ sense of ownership over public funds and their expectations for government accountability. Drawing on two experiments with nationally representative samples, the study finds that framing public funds as “taxpayers’ money” can increase motivation for citizen oversight and support for harsher penalties in cases of fiscal wrongdoing.

The project was supported by a University Research Council (URC) grant.

Dr. Kananovich will accept the award during the 2026 AEJMC Annual Conference in New Orleans in August.

🎓💛 Congratulations, Class of 2026! 💛🎓This is your moment - take it all in and enjoy making these memories! We're proud o...
05/09/2026

🎓💛 Congratulations, Class of 2026! 💛🎓

This is your moment - take it all in and enjoy making these memories! We're proud of all you've learned and all you've accomplished in your time with us and we can't wait to see what you do next!

From Boone to Las Vegas ✈️🎟️ Students from the Department of Communication brought home two awards from the 2026 BEA Fes...
05/07/2026

From Boone to Las Vegas ✈️🎟️ Students from the Department of Communication brought home two awards from the 2026 BEA Festival of Media Arts in Las Vegas!

🎧 Brock Herring — 2nd Place, Sound Engineering & Production
🎙️ Kylie Karner — Award of Excellence, Non‑Narrative Audio

From elevating local artists through Corner Concerts to bringing Spanish‑language music to Boone with Kyliente Canciones, these Mountaineers are redefining what student media can be and showcasing the power of student travel. Read more about this story at bit.ly/COMBEA26

Congratulations to Dr. Twange Kasoma - she has been named as the 2026 recipient of the College of Fine & Applied Arts Ju...
05/04/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Twange Kasoma - she has been named as the 2026 recipient of the College of Fine & Applied Arts Junior Faculty Innovation Grant.

Dr. Kasoma’s proposal — which leverages pedagogical research to address community news deserts — exemplifies the spirit of innovation, applied scholarship, and community engagement. Her project reflects CFAA’s commitment to experiential learning, applied scholarship, and work that strengthens and uplifts rural and underserved communities.

This competitive $5,000 grant provides funding for junior (pre-tenure) faculty pursuing original research, creative activity, and interdisciplinary initiatives. Dr. Kasoma’s work will serve as the foundation for a university‑level grant application in the following academic year.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kasoma on this well‑deserved recognition and in celebrating the impact she will have on our students, our community, and the broader field.

Tune in to High Country Radio 1450 AM and 96.5 FM WATA on Thursday, April 30, at 1 p.m. for the “Campus of Connection” r...
04/29/2026

Tune in to High Country Radio 1450 AM and 96.5 FM WATA on Thursday, April 30, at 1 p.m. for the “Campus of Connection” radio show curated by students in the Digital Journalism Capstone under the mentorship of Dr. Twange Kasoma. This special show provides an inspiring look at Appalachian State University’s recent Carnegie Community Engagement Re-Classification, a prestigious national honor held by only 277 institutions. It explores how the “Mountain Strong” spirit has transformed the university from its roots in the “lost province” into a public service powerhouse. The show features interviews with, among others, Chancellor Heather Norris on App State’s 125-year mission and why this classification “epitomizes who we are and our purpose”.

EM/B student Grace Ellen Callihan's documentary short has been selected to be screened at the 100 Strong Productions Stu...
04/24/2026

EM/B student Grace Ellen Callihan's documentary short has been selected to be screened at the 100 Strong Productions Student Film Festival taking place Saturday, April 25 at the Cary Theater in Wake County. Callihan produced her film "Highway 251", a powerful documentary short about bike safety in Asheville, after two local bikers, Jacob Hill and Lennie Antonelli, were killed by a dump truck while biking on Highway 251. Callihan also serves this year as station manager of App TV.

For more about this story, visit bit.ly/EMBStudentFilm

Several App State Electronic Media/Broadcasting students attended the Breaking Into Sports Forum at the Bristol Motor Sp...
04/02/2026

Several App State Electronic Media/Broadcasting students attended the Breaking Into Sports Forum at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee last week.

The students learned all facets of the
business through several key speakers, including an NFL Executive, and benefited from networking opportunities with key people in the sports industry. The students joined App State TV broadcasting instructor Bob Dillner, who was speaking at the forum.

(From left to right - Trey Blake, Eddie Reel, Margurite Huckaby, Kelly Thomas, Bob Dillner, Will Battershell and Tristan Biesel)

03/26/2026

A Giving Day message from Interim Dean and Advertising Professor Lou!

Help unlock our challenge gifts!
03/26/2026

Help unlock our challenge gifts!

Today is Appalachian State Giving Day!Join the many Mountaineers who have already given and support the Department of Co...
03/26/2026

Today is Appalachian State Giving Day!

Join the many Mountaineers who have already given and support the Department of Communication! Small gifts grow into big change. Your generosity, in any amount, has a positive impact on our students, staff, and faculty.

Give Here: https://loom.ly/9oILOko

Address

121 Bodenheimer Drive
Boone, NC
28608

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18282622221

Website

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