COMS News | October 2026
COMS Announcements
COMS Club
Want to get involved in the COMS major, show your engagement in the discipline, and connect with other COMS students? You're invited to attend COMS Club all semester long! COMS Club will meet the first Wednesday of every month for an hour to connect with other students in the major/minor as well as professors and alumni. Meetings run from 11 AM - 12 PM in Math and Science Room 038-0227. Visit the COMS Club website or follow their Instagram account for the most up-to-date information - we hope to see you there!
- Oct. 7, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Professors & Pastries at the O'Neill Green.
- Nov. 4, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Spring Registration Readiness in 038-0227.
- Dec. 2, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Cookies & Conversation in 038-0227.
Lambda Pi Eta Recruitment
Lambda Pi Eta (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.
CLA Learn by Doing Showcase
Learn more about the high-impact practices and student opportunities available across the College of Liberal Arts at the "CLA Learn by Doing Showcase" during Mustang Family Weekend! Taking place Saturday, October 3, from 10 AM - 12 PM in Chumash Auditorium, the showcase gives students and supporters an opportunity to mingle with current students and learn about the projects, programs, and experiences available across CLA.
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COMS students Sophie Dickert and Emily Ip will represent the Media and Communication Research Initiative (MC-Cal Poly), sharing their experiences with a program that provides financial support and faculty mentorship to help students develop original class research projects into presentations at academic conferences.
Student Research Showcase at Cal Poly AI Day
Cal Poly AI Day on Thursday, October 22, will bring together students, faculty, campus partners, and invited guests to celebrate Cal Poly’s growing role in artificial intelligence. As part of the day, the Student Research Showcase will feature approximately 25 student presenters from across the university highlighting research that advances AI, uses AI, or may be shaped by AI. The showcase will take place from 2 – 3 PM in the Swanson Center of Effort Conference Hall.
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COMS students Annie Alexander and Skylar Branson were competitively selected to present their study, “The Effect of AI Therapy on Perceptions Related to Therapy Usage,” which was originally developed in Dr. Aubrie Adams’ COMS Research Methods class in Winter 2026.
Events & Opportunities
AMA Speaker Series: Food Industry Professionals
Drop by the AANHPI Initiatives AMA series to ask Food Industry Professionals in SLO County anything - food provided! The AMA speaker series connects students with APIDA professionals, alumni, and local resources who can offer career insights, mentorship, and support. The first event features Theresa Buyco of Ube Soul, Justin Chan of Sequel Tea, and chef Chrissilda Badayos-Brown. Join us Friday, October 2, from 4 – 5 PM in the Multicultural Center (University Union, Room 111F). This event is organized by COMS Professor Dr. Alison Cheung through a Mini-grant from Cal Poly’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Initiatives.
AI Literacy at Mustang Family Weekend
Curious about how AI is shaping learning and work? Join Cal Poly faculty for a one-hour introduction to artificial intelligence as part of Mustang Family Weekend! Explore practical examples of AI in public speaking and general education, business analytics, and agricultural engineering, and learn how prompting, sensor data, and verified decision support can become useful tools. The event will also feature a short student segment from the Cal Poly Vibe Coding Club, and attendees will leave with access to a practical AI prompting library. No prior AI experience is needed! Join us Saturday, October 3, from 11 AM - 12 PM in the Frost Center for Research and Innovation (Building 181, Room 181-122). The event is organized by COMS Professor Dr. Martin Mehl, Founding Director of the Cal Poly AI Immersion Lab (AI²).
BEACoN Research Funding
Applications are now open for BEACoN! The BEACoN Research Mentoring Program, from the Department of Culture and Institutional Excellence (CIX), is looking for its next cohort of BEACoN Scholars, with research projects within all six colleges! Centering underrepresented students, but open to all undergraduates, BEACoN seeks to make research accessible, providing students with funded research opportunities working with faculty mentors. In addition to research experience, BEACoN Scholars gain access to professional development workshops and community events, fostering a sense of belonging. Selected students will engage with faculty during the final five weeks of the Fall semester and all of Spring semester and receive a $4,000 stipend ($1,000 during Fall and $3,000 during Spring) distributed via financial aid. The deadline to apply is October 5 at 11:59pm. For more information, visit the BEACoN Website.
Peace Corps Talk with Salud Carbajal
Interested in the Peace Corps? Join a special talk hosted by the District Office of Congressman Salud Carbajal to discuss the value of public service, the personal and career benefits offered by the Peace Corps, and specific information on how you can be involved with the Peace Corps. Speakers include Roberto Cruz Olivera, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Congressman Salud Carbajal, and Professor Craig Arceneaux from Political Science. The event will take place Wednesday, October 7, from 3 – 4:40 PM in the Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL), Building 07. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Elevator Pitch Competition
The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is looking for CLA students to participate in its annual Elevator Pitch Competition! Whether you’re a researcher or a student who just had a breakthrough idea in the classroom, this is your chance to shine. Students have just 90 seconds to pitch an innovative product, service, or startup idea for a chance to win $1,000 and represent CLA in a campus-wide competition. CIE is especially hoping to see more applicants from CLA this year and encourages students to bring their creativity, storytelling skills, and unique perspectives to the competition. Video applications are due Friday, October 9, at 11:59 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to share your big idea!
Game Design Workshop & Art Gallery
Get creative with exhibiting artist Shing Yin Khor during a hands-on workshop exploring collaborative worldbuilding, game design, and physical artifacts on Friday, October 16! Drawing from playful forms such as tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), LARP, and board games, participants will create small games, try quick writing exercises, and construct props as they build a collaborative universe and shared history. The workshop is offered in conjunction with HOW TO PLAY:, an exhibition exploring gameplay as a form of creativity, community-building, storytelling, and making new worlds. Presented by Cal Poly’s Department of Art & Design, the exhibition is on display September 10 – October 18 in the University Art Gallery.
Share Your Perspective on AI!
The CSU Systemwide AI Survey is now open, and we encourage you to take a few minutes to participate! Whether you regularly use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT or don’t use them at all, your perspective matters. Help make sure the range of perspectives within CLA is represented as the CSU assesses the impact of AI across the system. The anonymous survey takes less than 10 minutes and is open through Monday, October 19. After completing the survey, participants can also enter a drawing for a chance to win a $25 gift card or an iPad. Visit aisurvey.calstate.edu to participate!
Disney Imagineering Applications
Walt Disney Imagineering invites undergraduate and graduate students to showcase their skills and talents through the Imaginations Design Competition! All finalist teams win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Imagineering headquarters in California, where they will present their project to Disney executives, compete for awards, and interview for internship opportunities. Apply by October 16 (final submission deadline of November 19, 2026). For more information, please email: wdi.imaginationsentry@disney.com with Subject: "Imaginations Info."
NVIDIA AI Factory Grand Opening
Join Cal Poly for AI Day on Thursday, October 22, featuring the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the NVIDIA AI Factory @ Cal Poly! As part of the day’s activities, the Cal Poly AI Immersion Lab (AI²) will participate in the Provost’s Showcase from 10 AM - 12:00 PM, highlighting its work and introducing the full AI² team to the campus community. The AI Immersion Lab is led by COMS Professor Dr. Martin Mehl, its Founding Director. Stay tuned for more information about AI Day and the day’s events!
STARZ Filmmaker Grants
Exciting news for CSU filmmakers! STARZ has partnered with The CSUEA to continue supporting CSU students and recent alumni through the STARZ #TakeTheLead Post-Production Funds Grant. This opportunity provides funding to help bring your film across the finish line, with support available for color, sound, editing, music composition, animation, and VFX. All completed films receiving funding will be featured in an industry screening! Learn more about this grant through the application guidelines. Applications are due November 6, 2026 @ 11:59 PM and you can apply online here.
Capital Fellows Programs
Capital Fellows Programs are administered by the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State and are an outstanding opportunity for college graduates to begin their careers and engage in public service. Fellows work 10-11 months as paid, full-time staff members in the California State Assembly, California State Senate, California Executive Branch, or California's Judicial Branch. They participate in policymaking, program development, and program implementation. Upon successful completion of their fellowships, Fellows receive a graduate certificate in Applied Policy and Government from Sacramento State. Prospective Capital Fellows must have a bachelor's degree and a demonstrated interest in public service, California state government, and public policy. All majors are welcome to apply. Online applications are now open and must be submitted by Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. If you have questions regarding the Capital Fellows Programs, please contact calstudies@csus.edu.
Hollylist Media Careers List
Want to explore career opportunities in film, TV, music, digital media, and other areas of the entertainment industry? The CSU Entertainment Alliance is offering CSU students and alumni free access to Hollylist, a job search website and daily newsletter designed specifically for entertainment careers. Hollylist connects job seekers with employers and provides access to the latest job and internship opportunities across the industry. Whether you’re actively searching for a position or just curious about the types of careers available in entertainment, this is a great resource to start exploring! The free membership is available through November 2026. Apply here to sign up.
Free Immigration Legal Services
The California State University (CSU) offers free immigration legal services for CSU students and employees through the nonprofit agency Immigrant Legal Defense (ILD). Attorneys, paralegals, and/or accredited representatives from the service providers visit campuses on a routine basis to assist with legal services such as consultations, DACA renewals, and general assistance in filling out forms such as family-based petitions. For more information, visit the immigration legal services website.
Faculty & Staff News
Faculty Projects
Our COMS Department faculty are always participating in high-quality teaching, research, and service projects within our academic community! This month we're highlighting the following news showcasing the work of your professors:
- Dr. Sasha Sanders will be participating in the 20th Anniversary of New York Comic Con, held October 8 – 11 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City! Dr. Sanders will be presenting on a roundtable panel titled, “Capes, Curls, & Culture: Black Women in Comics, Media, and Pop Culture” on Friday, October 9. The panelists will discuss the representation of Black women in comics and popular culture, as well as consider the contributions of Black women, including comic book writers, illustrators, and comics studies scholars. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of New York Comic Con, one of the largest pop culture conventions in the country!
BEACoN Research Projects
Congratulations to our COMS professors who will be participating as mentors and scholars in the annual BEACoN research program! Check out the projects your COMS professors are advising this year:
- Dr. Alison Cheung was awarded funding for a study examining the evolving landscape of K-pop and broader shifts in U.S. media and cultural production. While working on this project, student scholars will conduct media criticism and engage with literature on race, ethnicity, and transnationalism. In addition, students will organize cultural artifacts, synthesize scholarly concepts and articles, and strengthen their critical lens and analytical skills.
- Professor Alexa Loken was awarded funding for a study investigating how universities and countries are preparing students to engage with AI, with a focus on access, equity, and environmental costs. While working on this project, student scholars will conduct systematic literature reviews and comparative document analysis across multiple international contexts. In addition, students will compile and analyze publicly available data, develop data visualizations, and strengthen their policy and research writing skills.
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