COMS News | November 2023
Happy November COMS Mustangs!
This newsletter is designed to keep majors, minors, faculty, and staff up-to-date so you can learn about news, career advice, events, networking opportunities, well-wishes, and inspirational stories surrounding your peers and COMS community.
Announcements
Solidarity & Mental Health Resources
We stand in solidarity with our COMS community and our international community. We know that the recent events in the Middle East have been challenging and heartbreaking to read, hear, and see. We mourn the loss of innocent lives and empathize with students, faculty, and staff in our community who are impacted by these events in different, but deeply personal, ways. Visit our Instagram post for a reminder of the resources and support systems available to you on campus, in case you or someone you know finds themselves in need of support or help during this time.
COMS Club
Get involved in COMS Club! Meetings take place Tuesdays from 11:10 am - 12:00 pm in Building 10 Room 221. Connect with COMS Club on Instagram @calpolycomsclub.
- 11/7: Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity (DEI) Day
- 11/28: Language Fair
LPH Recruitment
LPH is the National Communication Association’s official honor society. The organization recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of COMS majors and offers membership benefits including honors status at graduation and ceremonial graduation regalia. To see if you qualify to join, check out the membership requirements and fill out the Cal Poly LPH Interest Form by December 1. Be sure to follow LPH on Instagram @lphcalpoly to stay in the loop.
Library Temp Study Spaces Occupancy
Cal Poly has opened temporary study locations to minimize impact to students while the building remains closed. So you can know before you go, you can use the Waitz App to see real-time occupancy for the alternate study spaces. Waitz can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Students will continue to have access to the full range of library resources at these locations.
Students & Aumni Spotlights
We're proud to share the amazing stories of our current students and alumni! This month, we're spotlighting the work and leadership of alum Jade Sigmund.
- Jade Sigmund (they/she) is a COMS alum who graduated in spring 2020. After graduating, Jade has been working for a company called Upper Deck in which they have had some amazing opportunities working at highly popular conventions like San Diego Comic Con and Gen Con. Jade has also worked on video game events like Overwatch League Grand Finals and BlizzCon.
Events & Opportunities
Elevator Pitch Competition
The Elevator Pitch Competition is an annual event held by the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) where students from Cal Poly present exciting startup ideas. Finalists will give a 90-second pitch to an audience and a panel of judges. At the end of the event, the winning team will be awarded $1,000, and $500 will go to the crowd favorite. The event takes place Tuesday, November 7, 4:30-6pm at the PAC. To find out more and attend, visit the Elevator Pitch Website.
Non-profit Internship with Washington Center
Want to learn how you can intern in D.C. with the Washington Center doing public nonprofit work? Attend an information session on November 7th at 11:10am-12pm in Bldg. 10, Rm. 124 (or online). Students can earn 12 credit units in the summer in the nation’s capital interning for some of the most exciting and prestigious, public, non-profit, and private institutions. Housing included. To learn more, check out the event flyer.
Design & Marketing Internships at AGD
AGD is currently recruiting interns for paid positions in areas related to design and marketing. AGD is an architecture and design practice with a strong focus on sustainability and social impact. They have offices on the Central Coast and Central Valley in California. To find out more and apply, check out the internship flyer and apply by November 13.
Student Ambassador Internships with CIE
The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) is seeking two motivated, energetic, and highly organized student ambassadors. The ideal candidate(s) will have a strong interest in entrepreneurship and its role in society and a desire to connect as many people with innovative and entrepreneurial aspirations to the proper programs and resources. The ideal candidate(s) should also have a strong interest in either sales, marketing, public relations, or in becoming entrepreneurs. For more information, check out the intern flyer.
ISLA Film - Obvious Child
The Interdisciplinary Studies Department is happy to announce a screening of the 2014 film Obvious Child on Wednesday, November 8th at 4:30PM at the Palm Theater. Admission is free! The film screening will be followed by a talk from Dr. Kimberly Kelly, Director of Gender Studies at Mississippi State University. Dr. Kelly's talk will address the myth that all abortions are tragic, unwanted, clandestine, and dangerous. She will address the history of abortion in television and film, while also highlighting the portrayal of abortion in Obvious Child.
Startup Launch Weekend
Cal Poly Entrepreneurs is hosting Startup Launch Weekend, from November 10-12. This Shark Tank-themed event will start downtown in the CIE Hothouse with guest speakers, catered food, and a business model canvas workshop. Throughout the weekend, students will form groups and develop a business idea, for the chance to win over $2,100 in prizes! This is an amazing opportunity to network, meet industry leaders, engage in customer development, and present a final pitch to a panel of judges. For more information, visit the event website.
International Education Week
Join us for International Education Week, hosted by the Cal Poly International Center from Nov. 13-17! International Education Week celebrates the benefits of international education and cultural exchange. This year’s events provide opportunities for the campus community to come together to learn, share, and experience global cultures and perspectives. To learn more and register, please visit the International Center website.
Distinguished Teaching Award Nominations
Have you had a professor who influenced your life or schoolwork in a meaningful way? Say thanks by nominating your professor for a Distinguished Teaching Award! The deadline to submit nominations this year is November 24. Students or alumni may submit one or more nominations at: https://academicsenate.calpoly.edu/dta
Hispanic Serving Institution Mini Grants
Cal Poly strives to be a university that enhances student success by creating a culturally rich environment of diversity and inclusion, academic excellence, and social responsibility. To further our mission of becoming an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) that thinks critically and holistically about serving the Latinx/e community, we are excited to announce the Cal Poly HSI High Impact Mini-Grant Program for AY23-24. Up to ten mini-grants will be awarded ranging from $500 to $5,000 for projects and programs that demonstrate a strong potential to holistically impact the Latinx/e community at Cal Poly (Deadline: Nov 30, 2023). For more information, visit the HSI mini-grant link.
Intertidal Publication Submissions Open
Intertidal is a literary and art journal that aims to reflect Cal Poly writers and artists of all experience levels, backgrounds, and majors in their growth and connection through creativity. They welcome students, staff, and faculty of all backgrounds in the Cal Poly Community to submit works of creative writing and visual art (regardless of your experience level). Submissions may include but are not limited to the following genres: short fiction, poems, essays, screenplay excerpts, comic strips, photography, paintings, and illustrations. Submit by December 8th and visit the submission website.
Mustang Film Society
Do you like film? Have you always wanted to plan a film festival? Would you like the opportunity to meet folks in the film industry? The Mustang Film Society allows you to connect with peers interested in film and to build important industry skills. Contact Dr. Emily Ryalls (eryalls@calpoly.edu) for more information!
Teaching Assistant Program in France
Applications for the 2024-2025 Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) cohort close on January 15, 2024 at tapif.org. Each year, TAPIF places around 1,300 Americans in French public schools to work as English language teaching assistants. After completing the TAPIF program, Teaching Assistants pursue global careers in education, international business, public health, international policy and development, arts and culture administration, and more. All TAPIF alumni gain access to generous scholarships with our partner universities in the US and France for MA and PhD studies in French, Lingustics, Business, and more!
National Communication Association
Communication Studies students, alumni, and faculty head to the 109th annual convention of the National Communication Association (NCA), November 16-19, 2023 in National Harbor, MD. Scheduled participants will present their original research, share best practices in teaching, participate in academic service opportunities, and network with scholars.
Scheduled Alumni Presentations
Abigail Dorman (Alum)
- Increased Accessibility of Online Mental Health Services: Impacts on College Students’ (Mis)Use Mental Health Prescription Drugs [Co-Author]
Ava Schafbuch (Alum)
- Increased Accessibility of Online Mental Health Services: Impacts on College Students’ (Mis)Use Mental Health Prescription Drugs [Co-Author]
Scheduled Faculty Presentations
Dr. Darrian Carroll
- Legislative Assembly I & II [Presenter]
- The Hidden Freedom and Liberation Provided for Black and Brown People in Wakanda Forever [Presenter]
- Principles of a Yangian Rhetorical Theory [Presenter]
- Rhetorical and Communication Theory (RCT) Division Meeting [Co-Presenter]
- Fighting For Water in Flint: We the People of Detroit Practicing Being in Good Faith [Author]
- Intervening in Surveillance: A Critical Conversation on Crisis Vision [Presenter]
- Freeing Rhetoric from Injustice [Respondent]
- Outlasting Rhetoric: Baltimore Transportation Advocates Resuscitating the Red Line [Author]
Dr. Alison Cheung
- Mutual mentoring, networking and community building as Asian/Pacific American Scholars [Presenter]
- Freedom from Silence During Organizational Meetings: Rethinking Structural Issues at Workplaces [Presenter]
Dr. Anuraj Dhillon
- Increased Accessibility of Online Mental Health Services: Impacts on College Students’ (Mis)Use Mental Health Prescription Drugs [Co-Author]
- Mutual mentoring, networking and community building as Asian/Pacific American Scholars [Presenter]
- Freedom from Silence During Organizational Meetings: Rethinking Structural Issues at Workplaces [Chair]
Dr. Megan Lambertz-Berndt
- Legislative Assembly I & II [Presenter]
- Communication and Law Meeting [Co-Presenter]
- Reinventing the Realistic Job Preview: A needed pivot toward equity-based language [Author]
- Freedom from Silence During Organizational Meetings: Rethinking Structural Issues at Workplaces [Presenter]
Dr. Leslie Nelson
- Family Communication Meeting [Co-Presenter]
- Family Communication Division Mentor/Mentee Meeting Time [Presenter]
Dr. Victoria Zamora
- Freedom Through NeuroQueer Intimacies: Reconceptualizing Kinship, Spirituality, Sex, and Romance [Presenter]
Faculty News
Recent Publications
Congrats to our COMS faculty who have been sharing their research activities and scholarly endeavors with the wider academic community. This month we're highlighting the following recently published articles written by your professors:
- Dr. Aubrie Adams co-authored a recent article with COMS alum Kylie Clark published by the CSU Journal of Sustainability and Climate Change titled Altering Attitudes on Climate Change: Testing the Effect of Time Orientation and Motivation Framing.
- Dr. Aubrie Adams co-authored a recent article published by Language Sciences titled Examining Textism Convergence in Mediated Interactions.
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