Leadership & Advocacy Communication
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Step into leadership roles. Speak up for what matters. Help shape conversations that propel teams and communities forward.
Why Study Leadership & Advocacy Communication at Winona State?
Think about the issues that matter most today: mental health, social justice, climate change, community well-being, and more.
Behind every movement or breakthrough was someone who knew how to communicate clearly, listen to different perspectives, and bring people together around a solution.
Meaningful change starts with a conversation. That’s where Leadership & Advocacy Communication comes in.
In this program, you’ll explore how leadership works in real life.
You’ll learn how to craft powerful messages, navigate complex issues, and rally teams around a shared goal.
You’ll also explore how communication can be used to advocate for others.
And after graduation, this degree can take you nearly anywhere.
Businesses, non-profits, schools, healthcare organizations, and government agencies all rely on leaders who can guide conversations, resolve conflict, and connect with audiences across cultures and communities.
Whether you dream of leading a team, advocating for an important cause, or inspiring people to get involved and drive change, this program helps you turn your ideas into impact—and maybe even improve the world along the way.
This program is available through the Communication & Media Department.
available annually to Leadership & Advocacy Communication majors of all levels through the WSU Foundation.
What Will You Learn as a Leadership & Advocacy Communication Major?
As a Leadership & Advocacy Communication major, you’ll learn how to craft messages for advertising campaigns, social movements, and more that influence decisions and inspire action.
You’ll also:
- practice mediating disagreements and resolving conflicts in a wide range of settings.
- design persuasive campaigns that advocate for policies, communities, and causes.
- analyze speeches, political messaging, and other discourse to understand how language can shape public opinion and social change.
- explore strategies for motivating teams, building trust, and communicating vision.
This degree pairs well with a variety of other programs at Winona State, such as Business Administration, Public Health, Legal Studies, Sustainability, Political Science, Child Advocacy Studies, and more.
Aside from major- or minor-specific requirements, you’ll need to complete additional requirements through the General Education Program (GEP) to earn your degree from Winona State University.
Learn More about the GEP
Program Highlights
On Campus
As a Leadership & Advocacy Communication major, you’ll complete a variety of projects.
You could find yourself creating a public service announcement (PSA) to learn how to craft messages that ethically influence others.
You could also find yourself moderating a Cultural Cafe event on campus to practice structuring discussions that incorporate different perspectives.
These projects will give you valuable hands-on experience that will prepare you for your future career.
On top of your class projects, you can pursue research projects alongside a faculty mentor.
Students have previously conducted research on topics like leadership traits in non-profit organizations and public messages in advocacy groups or popular culture artifacts.
Exploring research is a great way to not only apply what you learn in the classroom but also further round out your resume.
Make a difference on campus and build your leadership skills by joining one of WSU’s all-university committees as a student representative.
Help shape communications strategies and policies with the Digital Communications Committee.
Or on the Disability & Accessibility Advocacy Committee, gain valuable experience advocating for processes and policies that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Want to meet like-minded students and explore communication studies?
Get involved in campus organizations that share your passion, like the Communication Studies Club and Student Senate.
Hone your public speaking skills in the Case Competition Club, Speech and Debate, Model United Nations, or WSU Undergraduate Mock Trial.
You can even join the Winona State Ambassadors Honorary to give guided campus tours.
With over 100 clubs and organizations, there’s something for everyone.
Beyond the Classroom
As a Leadership & Advocacy Communication major, you can complete a 120-hour hands-on internship before you graduate.
Students in this program have interned in sales and communications at local organizations like Leighton Broadcasting and Habitat for Humanity or even at Compassion, Connection, and Encatadora in Ecuador.
This intensive field experience will give you supervised practice with real-world clients and organizations.
Apply what you learn in the classroom by traveling around the globe. At Winona State, you can earn credit that applies to your degree while exploring the world.
Get inspired by 10,000 brands at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.
Learn how Germany used messaging to shift the political paradigm after the Nazi Regime. Or dive into the crossroads of cultures in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
You can also check out our more than 100 other study abroad programs across 40+ countries.
Hear from Alumni
Careers & Outcomes
The Leadership & Advocacy Communication degree gives students the tools to build strong arguments, guide organizations, and create positive change. These are skills that employers across industries look for.
for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
for Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
for Labor Relations Specialists
Learn more about what careers are possible with this major and where our alumni have gone after graduation.
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway