Alumni News - Spring 2025

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Alumni Newsletter | Spring 2025

Chair's Corner

We’re thrilled to share highlights from a truly exciting year in the Department of Communication Studies. From student achievements and faculty growth to plans for the future, this issue reflects not only where we are—but where we’re headed. Let’s begin with a note from our Chair, Dr. Anuraj Dhillon.

Greetings from the Department of Communication Studies!

As we reflect on the past year and look toward the future, I’m excited to share some of the incredible momentum and vision shaping our department.

Communication Studies remains one of Cal Poly’s most vibrant programs, with over 400 majors and a thriving minor. In Fall 2024, we welcomed 98 new majors into our community, and we celebrated the graduation of 90 seniors in Spring. Our growth is fueled not only by the strength of our students but also by the expansion of our faculty: Dr. Sergio Juárez and Dr. Sasha Sanders joined us this year, bringing new expertise and energy to our teaching and research missions.

Our students continue to excel beyond the classroom, they shine at both regional and national conferences. At the Western States Communication Association (WSCA) conference, current students Bridget LaPorte, Olivia Thomas, and Kaley Scheppler delivered a compelling study on artificial intelligence and classroom dynamics, while fellow student Miranda Ward shared a solo project on augmented reality and community-building through Pokémon GO, supported by the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference. In addition, alumni Wendy Miyazaki and Ty Rivas presented work on environmental documentaries and interpersonal texting behavior, respectively, showcasing the high caliber of scholarship conducted by current students and alumni in our department.

We’re especially proud that Sammy Campopiano, Andrea Aruino, and Mason Boerger represented Cal Poly at the 2025 International Association for Communication and Sport Conference in Chicago. They presented their timely and topical study, “Brains, Brawn, and Bias: Racial Stereotypes in WNBA Commentary and the Caitlin Clark–Angel Reese Discourse.”

Our debate team continues to earn national recognition. Lauren Rosenberg (COMS) was a finalist in the novice division at the YODL tournament. Sophie Angiulo (POLS) ranked among the top ten speakers at the Pan Pacific Championship and reached the novice finals at YODL. Mason Boerger (COMS) made it to the YODL open division quarterfinals, placed among the top ten speakers at Pan Pacific, and earned an impressive 2nd place nationwide in the individual speaker category. Franky Chardos (COMS) also placed among the top ten at Pan Pacific, reached the YODL open division quarterfinals, and ranked 4th nationally in individual speaking.

It’s an exciting time for the department! We are proud of our students and alumni’s achievements and the ways they represent Cal Poly’s learn-by-doing spirit.

As we celebrate these milestones, we are also preparing for exciting transformations ahead. In Fall 2026, Cal Poly will transition to the semester system, a move that brings fresh opportunities for curricular innovation and deeper engagement with our students. Our department has been actively reimagining curriculum and structures to make the most of this pivotal shift.

Another key priority is strengthening our connection with you, our alumni. We are in the process of establishing a COMS Alumni Advisory Board, and we invite you to partner with us in shaping the next chapter of Communication Studies at Cal Poly. Your insights and experiences are invaluable as we continue to grow and adapt.

We would love for you to stay connected with us:

We warmly welcome your involvement! If you’re interested in serving on the COMS Alumni Advisory Board—or if you’d like to nominate yourself or someone else—please complete our brief interest form.

Thank you for continuing to be a vital part of our community. We are excited about the future, and we look forward to staying connected and learning from your journeys.

Thank you for continuing to support the COMS community!

Warmly,
Dr. Anuraj Dhillon (she/her/hers)
Associate Professor and Interim Department Chair

Reflections from a COMS Professor

As we look ahead, we also cherish the connections that define our past. In the spirit of reflection, we’re delighted to share a heartfelt message from Dr. Jnan Blau, one of our longest-serving faculty members (since 2008), on the joy, growth, and magic of teaching in COMS over the years.

Warmest greetings, dear COMS Alumni!

Dr. Blau here, coming at you from across time and space. I have trouble wrapping my brain around this, but I am now the longest-serving core faculty member here in our beloved Communication Studies Department at Cal Poly. In July of this year, it will be 17 years since I landed here in beautiful SLO—never to look back, and forever grateful for the chance to live and work here. Hard to believe and wonderful to appreciate. So many memories, so many experiences, so many magical and sweet moments to think back on with so much fondness and appreciation. I hasten to add, coming up on two decades of teaching COMS courses, that I am still finding at least as much joy and wonder in the classroom as I always have. And that is because we here at COMS have the great privilege of working with some pretty consistently amazing, impressive, smart, kind, warm, and delightful students. Many things have changed in COMS since 2008, but our students remain our greatest asset and our proudest joy.

If I could download them out of my brain, I have a whole collection of memories and images that would make an excellent highlight reel. Incredibly moving and highly-accomplished moments from within Performance of Literature (now renamed Performance, Literature, and Culture) and Group Performance of Literature—sometimes, by round three of performances, with people in the room on the verge of tears in the face of what just happened, hugging each other with pride and appreciation. Surprising and incredibly thought-provoking discussions from deep within learning about—and from—Intercultural Communication. Genuine philosophical inquiry and even life-altering grappling whilst pondering Technology and Human Communication.  All I will say is, thank you to each and every one of you with whom I have had to pleasure to learn and grow as studiers of communication.

The thing is, the future looks brighter and more exciting than ever here at COMS. So many changes have happened—and they all have been hard work but so, so worth it. The curriculum for our COMS majors now looks and works quite differently than it did in Fall of 2008, while at the same time absolutely preserving our department’s core identity and purpose. We have in the last several years been fortunate enough to hire several new faculty members who are doing amazing work in the classroom and as active and productive scholars in the field. We have new classes “on the books” that push us into new, important topics and territory. We have revamped some existing courses as well. As a direct result of two COMS students’ Senior Project in Spring of 2020, we now have a COMS 100: Introduction to Communication Studies class that helps our students, early in their time at Poly, much more fully tune into and appreciate all that it means to be a COMS major—during their time here, as well after their time among us as they head into building their careers by joining the workforce—and of course as ethical, sensitive, effective communicators and citizens.

Personally, I think one of the more exciting things brewing here at COMS is that we are getting ready to renew our efforts, deepen our connection with, and much more fully harness the potential of our COMS alumni network. There’s a lot of you out there, and we know that you are doing incredible work and accomplishing very cool things. We want to learn more about what’s been going on with/for you. We want to more fully understand how your COMS degree was a boon to your career and life. We want to connect you to each other. We want to consult and learn from you, via a forthcoming Alumni Advisory Board—as we know there are many ways you can help us grow and become even stronger here at COMS. Perhaps most important, we want to connect you with our current students too!

As always, hoping each of you is doing very well, and wishing you continued success and growth and happiness. I have always enjoyed staying connected to/in touch with many students after they graduate. Keep it coming, and please know that I—and all my colleagues—truly love hearing from you!

Cheers,

Dr. Jnan Blau, Ph.D. (he/him)
Associate Professor

Alumni Spotlight

Our alumni continue to be an inspiring part of our story!!

Read on to learn how one of our graduates is making an impact and how your own journey may be featured next.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Kylie Clark, Class of 2020

Since graduating, Kylie Clark has dedicated her career to advocacy and public policy, focusing on homelessness and racial equity. She began as an Outreach Case Manager for people experiencing homelessness, later becoming the Public Policy Manager for a nonprofit in the South Bay. Her passion for systemic change led her to pursue a Master’s in Human Rights from Columbia University, which she completed in 2024. She now serves as the Policy & Advocacy Manager for the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, working to advance racial equity in Santa Clara County.

Beyond her professional career, Kylie serves on the Board of Directors for three nonprofits —the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition, the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation, and the Street Dog Coalition, and chairs the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Citizens Advisory Committee. She is also deeply involved in immigration protection and community organizing efforts.

For her master’s thesis, Kylie conducted a year-long study on young adult homelessness in San José, interviewing affected individuals, elected officials, and nonprofit providers. She identified key policy recommendations and is now working to share her findings with the broader community.

Reflecting on her journey, Kylie credits her Communication Studies degree for equipping her with essential skills in writing, research, and analysis. "I chose COMS because I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew I’d always be communicating," she shares. "I was absolutely correct." She is especially grateful for professors like Dr. Brie and Dr. Besel, who helped her with research methods, and for the lasting connections she maintains with faculty like Dr. Kolodziejski and Dr. Blau.

Kylie’s work exemplifies the power of communication, advocacy, and research in creating meaningful change. We are proud to feature her in this alumni spotlight and look forward to seeing the continued impact of her efforts!
 

Sharing is Caring

Do you have an announcement to share with COMS majors, minors, faculty, and staff? Email Dr. Brie to find out how to share it! Follow COMS on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn 

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