In celebration of our college graduates, we reached out to our seniors for a little highlight and feedback from their time at Eastern. Congratulations on getting your degree! And welcome to the Eagle Alumni Family! Go Eags!

What is your major and minor/certificate, and what made you choose that major/minor?

My major is in Communications, and I have a minor in Business Administration. I chose Communications because it offers a diverse range of opportunities to explore the world of media, public relations, marketing, and interpersonal communication. I’ve always been fascinated by the power of effective communication in shaping relationships and driving success in various fields. Additionally, I chose to minor in Business Administration to complement my skills in communications with a solid understanding of organizational structures, strategic planning, and management principles. This combination allows me to excel in both the creative aspects of communication and the business aspects that support its implementation.

What class would you tell incoming freshmen that they should make sure to take?

As an incoming freshman, I highly recommend taking the course in “Introduction to Public Speaking.” This class not only provides essential communication skills but also allows you to build confidence in expressing ideas and presenting in front of others. Public speaking is a vital skill in both personal and professional realms, and mastering it early on will benefit students throughout their college experience and beyond. It empowers individuals to articulate their thoughts effectively, persuasively, and with poise, setting a solid foundation for success in various fields of study and future careers.

What’s one class that wasn’t in your major that you’d recommend?

While it may not directly align with my major in Communications, I highly recommend taking a course in “Introduction to Psychology.” This class provides a fundamental understanding of human behavior, cognition, and the intricate workings of the mind. The principles and concepts explored in psychology are applicable to numerous aspects of life, including interpersonal relationships, communication dynamics, and even personal growth and self-awareness. Studying psychology can enhance your ability to understand and empathize with others, which is crucial in fields like communications. It equips you with valuable insight into human motivations, emotions, and decision-making processes, allowing you to communicate effectively and connect with individuals on a deeper level. Additionally, psychology offers valuable analytical skills and research methodologies that can benefit students across various disciplines. By taking a psychology class, you gain a comprehensive perspective on the complexities of human behavior, enabling you to approach communication from a more informed and nuanced standpoint. Understanding the psychological factors at play in communication can greatly enhance your ability to craft compelling messages, tailor your approach to different audiences, and build strong interpersonal connections. Overall, a psychology class can broaden your horizons, deepen your understanding of human nature, and provide you with valuable tools to excel in your major while also enriching your personal and professional life beyond the realm of communications.

If you made one rule every teacher had to follow, what would it be? Why?

If I were to establish one rule for every teacher to follow, it would be to create an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Teachers should continue to strive to cultivate an atmosphere where every student feels valued, heard, and respected. This involves promoting open-mindedness, encouraging diverse perspectives, and fostering active participation. An inclusive classroom nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students, allowing for a more holistic learning experience. By prioritizing inclusivity, teachers can inspire students to embrace their unique strengths, contribute meaningfully to discussions, and develop a lifelong love for learning.

In celebration of our college graduates, we reached out to our seniors for a little highlight and feedback from their time at Eastern. Congratulations on getting your degree! And welcome to the Eagle Alumni Family! Go Eags!聽

What is your major and minor/certificate and what made you choose that major/minor?

My major is communication and my minor is psychology. I chose my major when I was at junior college in San Diego and I took an interpersonal communications course. I really enjoyed the subject and my professor was amazing and really guided me into choosing it as my major as he saw great potential in me doing well in this area. Then I started taking more communications classes and I loved every single one!

What class would you tell incoming freshmen that they should make sure to take?

The course I would encourage every freshmen to take is Intro to Psychology or Interpersonal Communication. These courses just teach you so much about what it means to be a human being and live in a world where you can understand other people and why they behave and communicate the way they do, to create a better understanding of other people鈥檚 perspectives.

What鈥檚 one class that wasn鈥檛 in your major that you鈥檇 recommend?

One class not in my major that I would recommend is The Science of Stress and Coping. This class is paramount to everyone and everything you do. There are going to be constant stressors throughout your life, and learning how to manage difficult emotions and the science behind the physiological reactions that our body engages in when we feel strongly and experience hard moments is going to change your life and help you calm down your body and mind so that you can handle hard times.

If you made one rule every teacher had to follow, what would it be? Why?

The rule I would make for every teacher to follow is to schedule a mandatory graded zoom meeting once a month with each of their classes for either 30 mins or an hour where everyone discusses difficulties in the course and to clear up any confusion that may be lingering throughout the class.

In celebration of our college graduates, we reached out to our seniors for a little highlight and feedback from their time at Eastern. Congratulations on getting your degree! And welcome to the Eagle Alumni Family! Go Eags!聽聽

What is your major and minor/certificate and what made you choose that major/minor?

My name is Rachel Forrister, I go by Rae. My major was originally Social Work and I switched to Communication Studies because it was similar, but聽applicable to more careers. I finished in December 2022 with my Bachelor of Communication Studies and certificate in Aging Studies.聽

What class would you tell incoming freshmen that they should make sure to take?

There are two courses that I can think of that are genuinely worth taking whether or not you are in the communications program: CMST 368 – Conflict Management Skills and CMST 360 – Becoming Other-Centered. They both teach valuable life skills that will help you better yourself, and allow you to understand and empathize with others while knowing how to set boundaries.

What鈥檚 one class that wasn鈥檛 in your major that you鈥檇 recommend?

Social Work 549 – Grief, Loss, and Resilience. As part of the aging studies program, this course had a profound impact on my own understanding of grief in myself and others. It is really important to realize that grief is a part of life. You can also grieve people who are still alive, or something or a place you’ve lost. Grief is not solely reserved for death, and I think that is something that doesn’t get talked about enough.

If you made one rule every teacher had to follow, what would it be? Why?

To be kind. You can teach your course while still being understanding of students who are struggling. Sometimes extending a little grace can make a huge positive impact on someone’s relationship with school and learning. We live in a world that is pretty hard to live in sometimes, and the professors who understand and empathize with that make all the difference.聽

Brenda Dervin, a professor at The Ohio State University’s School of Communications, spoke February 10th, 2011 at Les Schwab Room at the Spokane Arena. Her lecture was titled Connecting with Specific Publics: Treating Communication Communicatively.