Innovative Academic Updates Expand Student Opportunities

The renamed communication and media studies department has worked for the past two years to modernize and enhance their current offerings for students. Rich with skill-building in public speaking, communications strategy, mass media literacy, news writing and multimedia communication and more, the major gives students ample experiences to learn transferable skills in a hands-on curriculum and environment that will help them to stand out in the job market.

The new concentrations are media and documentary production, public relations and professional communication, media and cultural studies and news and sports reporting. The program’s expansive changes inform the kinds of careers that students and
prospective students want to pursue.

“We wanted to make the program more comprehensive, reflect what is going on currently in the media by matching the trends and providing opportunities that are appealing to our students and the careers they are seeking,” said Evene Estwick, associate professor and chair of the communication and media studies department.

Students are optimistic about the new name and improvements to the concentrations and curriculum. “We are excited and see it as a new way to progress,” said Edweana “E” Alexis of the Poconos area, a double major in communication and media studies and political science.

Estwick, who noted loving all things media and the power of storytelling, reflected on what story she would like to tell about the program’s new path forward.

“Evolution. The program has changed and will continue to change while remaining at its highest standards. We recognize the dynamic nature of communication and media, and it is imperative that a program reflects that. Our industry is far from stagnant, and making these modifications is our response to staying on track with the trends.”

“There’s a home in the home of communication and media, a place for every student,” said Alexis, who urges current or prospective students to take a public speaking course and explore all the possibilities.

Students with the passion and drive to make an impact on the well-being of others can now take advantage of the new health promotion major that launched this past fall. The major, which develops students into health coaching and education professionals who can work in a variety of settings, provides students with a mix of wellness-focused experiences that demonstrate a variety of possibilities in this exciting field.

Those who want to pursue a career in health and wellness will combine coursework from the education, nursing and pharmacy departments. Subject areas include integrative and holistic medicine, nutrition and public health, preparing graduates to pursue careers in community, corporate and healthcare settings. There will be plenty of room for networking through Wilkes’ established partnerships with local organizations and learning through real-world experiences at healthcare sites and community outreach programs.

“For students with an interest in improving personal and community health and well-being, Wilkes offers an interdisciplinary approach to active learning, combined with immersive practical experiences beginning early in the program,” said Jen Malinowski, associate dean of academic affairs in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. “Hands-on experiences with guidance from faculty with terminal degrees optimize the learning potential for the student to work in teams with various organizations and individually during a capstone experience.”

Dana Manning PharmD ’08 instructs courses in the new program as an associate professor of pharmacy practice. Manning blends her rich experience in the health and wellness sphere with a holistic approach to care. She brings a great deal of passion and knowledge with her background as a pharmacist, a dietician and, for fun, a competitive powerlifter. She is also working toward her life coach certification.

“The concept of this major is interesting,” said Manning. “We are not just going to educate students on health and wellness topics, but also provide them the tools and techniques for helping people get healthy, which is a heck of a lot harder than you think it is.”

Program components include techniques to incorporate motivation, guidance and accountability to support students’ development into successful health professionals. “Our goal is to teach and train students in methods of inspiring, motivating and helping others modify their behaviors and habits by facilitating accountability and celebrating people’s ability to make healthier changes in their lives.”

In today’s world, social media is rampant with uncredentialed influencers who may be well-intentioned but inevitably spread misinformation across wide audiences. Through the knowledge and skills gained from the program’s coursework, students will be prepared to sit for the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam, giving them the credentials to move forward and be transformative and credible consultants, entrepreneurs, coaches, advocates and more.

This fall, the Wilkes community can expect the launch of the new Africana studies minor, an interdisciplinary field focused on the diverse cultures, histories and experiences of the peoples of Africa and the African Diaspora.

Students will dig deep into political and social activism, the role of race in American history, society and culture and the dynamic arts of the African Diaspora. The minor will help students better understand the scope and history of racial inequity and the impact of race on society while cultivating empathy and developing the skills to communicate with diverse audiences.

Chris Zarpentine, associate professor of philosophy and chair of the Division of Global Cultures, led the development of the new program. He hopes this new minor will give students a broader context for their education and provide opportunities to apply the skills they learn to a bigger picture, expanding their understanding and enriching their experiences. Even more, technical learning and training programs can benefit from the infusion of more humanistic context.

“The United States is becoming increasingly diverse, but our society continues to confront persistent social divisions and antagonisms. A program in Africana studies can help students bridge these divisions by appreciating the history of these divisions, recognizing their impact on the present and cultivating the empathy and understanding needed to overcome them,” said Zarpentine.

The program was approved last spring to help address students’ desire for academic programming that speaks to the experiences of students of color and diverse backgrounds. The Africana studies minor consists of 19 credits, including two core courses: an introduction to Africana studies and a senior seminar. Students will then take designated courses from across the three areas of literature and the arts, history and social theory.

“I hope that it will provide opportunities for more of our students to have a greater awareness of the experiences and cultures of the peoples of Africa and the African Diaspora, both historically and in contemporary society. As a result, I hope it will make students more interested in understanding different perspectives and creating an inclusive community where the contributions of all people are welcomed and valued,” added Zarpentine.

As part of its goal to provide students with an inclusive environment, Wilkes is committed to evaluate and improve curriculums to better integrate diversity awareness. This approach is especially valuable for students who will be able to play an active part in how new programs, like this one, are shaped.