Academics Colleges College of Liberal Arts Communication & Media Department

Communication & Media Department

Communication is at the center of everything we do—and in today’s world, it moves fast.  

In the Communication & Media Department, you’ll learn how to share ideas, tell meaningful stories, and create messages that connect with people across platforms, cultures, and communities. 

Whether you’re interested in building strong relationships, leading organizations, or creating engaging content, you’ll find a place here. 

Why Communication & Media?

As a Communication & Media student, you’ll explore how people think, respond, and connect, while also learning how messages are created, shared, and understood in a media-driven world. 

Our faculty bring academic knowledge and real-world experience into the classroom. They’ll challenge you to think critically, they’ll support your growth, and they’ll help you build confidence to share your voice. 

Along the way, you’ll gain skills in: 

  • presenting, writing, and storytelling
  • digital media and content creation
  • leadership and small group work
  • strategy, persuasion, and audience engagement

These are skills you’ll use in any career. Plus, you’ll have access to the resources, tools, and spaces you need to bring your ideas to life.

Programs for Every Path

No matter your goals, there’s an academic program that fits your interests and future plans. 

Choose from undergraduate majors in: 

  • Advertising
  • Communication Studies
  • Creative Digital Media
  • Leadership & Advocacy Communication
  • Organizational & Corporate Communication
  • Public Relations

We also offer a variety of minors that pair well with any major, plus a Strategic Communication master’s degree for students ready to take the next step in graduate studies. 

Our programs combine theory, creativity, and hands-on experience, so you’ll graduate ready to make an impact. 

Prepared for What’s Next

There are plenty of student opportunities to work on real projects, collaborate with others, and build a portfolio that shows what you can do. 

That means a degree in Communication & Media prepares you for a wide range of careers. Think business and marketing or non-profit work, media production, and beyond. 

More importantly, it prepares you to think critically, communicate clearly, and adapt in a world that’s always changing. 

Because no matter where you go, your ability to connect with others—and share ideas that matter—will set you apart. 

Communication & Media News

Samantha Dischinger '25
From Transfer to Transformation
Samantha Dischinger ’25 transferred to Winona State and found the supportive community she’d been seeking. Majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Adventure Tourism, she embraced leadership roles and internships that helped her grow.
Tayah Lee '24
Empowering Transfer Students
Transferring to Winona State allowed Tayah Lee ’24 to align her education with her career goals. Thanks to the Communication & Media Department, she now feels ready to make her mark in the advertising industry.
Professor Talan Memmott sitting in a chair
Exploring AI in Communication & Media
Dr. Talan Memmott founded Winona State’s Creative Digital Media program to blend art, technology, and storytelling. He’s also part of an international AI research group and even showcased his AI-generated art at an exhibition for the University of California, Berkeley.

Contact the Communication & Media Department

Mary Deering
Office Manager

Phelps Hall 126
507.457.5474 

Office Hours
Tuesday–Thursday: 1-4pm

Email Mary Deering
Dr. Adam Gaffey
Department Chair, Associate Professor

DuFresne PAC 204
507.457.2362 

Email Adam Gaffey