J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication

From the Dean

Diederich College of Communication website

Welcome!

For more than a century, the Diederich College of Communication has provided students with a well-rounded liberal arts background that reinforces valuable skills in writing, public speaking and critical thinking. With further emphasis on the ethical and moral questions facing communication professionals, students receive the foundation they need to become successful, ethically minded leaders in their places of employ and in their communities.

Our course offerings cross a wide range of disciplines that include strategic communication, digital media and performing arts, communication studies, journalism and media studies. Regardless of which fields they choose to study, all students engage with award-winning faculty, many of whom are accomplished scholars or professional artists.

We provide experiential learning opportunities that keep pace with the expanding multimedia landscape, and most students choose to participate in programs that further their success. We offer in-house media outlets where students learn how to use state-of-the-art equipment, an exciting mentor program within our alumni network and internships at agencies, corporations and non-profit organizations. Through these opportunities, students learn to apply their classroom experience in a professional context and receive guidance from industry professionals.

Our academic programs are rooted in Jesuit values, and many students choose to further this mission by completing internships at local non-profit organizations, dedicated to the wellness and betterment of our community.

I am proud to lead our college and encourage our faculty and staff to help further our mission and create a bright future for our students. I invite you to visit our website and discover how a degree from the Diederich College of Communication prepares students to become responsible citizens and successful industry professionals.

Sincerely,

Sarah B. Feldner, Ph.D.
Dean, J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication

College Mission Statement

The Diederich College of Communication advances knowledge and prepares students for intellectual, artistic, professional and ethical leadership in a complex technological and multi-cultural world. The College uses a core of common knowledge, values and communication skills to improve understanding of communication as a cultural and social process and to develop the skills necessary for success in constantly changing information environments. Specifically, we are committed to learning centered on critical thinking, theoretical development, aesthetic judgment and evaluation, professional skills and standards, socio-cultural impact and relationships and the ethical and moral questions facing the field.