School of Communication and Media

Welcome to the School of Communication and Media, the UIS hub for all things communication, media and now, public affairs reporting. The School offers undergraduate opportunities, and now, two graduate degrees are available – Communication Studies and Public Affairs Reporting.

A degree that connects you to the people, the places, the communities, and the world around you.

At UIS, Communication is embraced as the act and/or the process of communicating from the perspectives of both interpersonal and mass-mediated communication.

Your degree prepares you to interpret and execute communication in all its forms, from written to spoken to nonverbal. Students who have earned the bachelor’s in Communication at UIS have gone on to work in a number of professions involving human relations, public relations and journalism, and utilizing practical skills in digital photography, video and web production and radio. Our students are among the most marketable when they graduate. Communication, as a broadly defined field, allows students to either concentrate on a specific professional goal or to enter a wide range of professional possibilities. It is a major without limitations.

Points of Pride

The UIS School of Communication and Media is proud of the following:

• Broad curriculum offerings in both interpersonal communication and journalism/media studies
• Faculty members with diverse backgrounds in teaching and
  professional experience
• Internship opportunities for undergraduate students in newsrooms, public relations offices, non-profit organizations, multi-media production companies and other locations throughout Central Illinois
• Public Affairs Reporting trains students to become journalists who produce intelligent news about government and politics.
• Close professional relations between the School and organizations such as the Illinois Broadcasters’ Association and the Association for Women in Communication. 
  • Excellent multi-media resources on campus, including:
    • Several multi-media labs
    • UIS Office of Electronic Media
•  The Observer online media hub provides video and audio stories, student-created podcasts.​
• Affiliation with Lambda Pi Eta, a communication honor society

UIS Speech and Debate Team

Why should you join the UIS Speech and Debate team?

To learn more visit the Speech and Debate Team website or contact Timothy Bill.

Communication Job Opportunities

Internship Opportunity with Illinois State Republican Caucus

The Illinois Senate Republican Caucus Events and Engagement department is currently accepting applications for spring 2023 interns. This is a semester long paid internship (with the potential of continuing) for current political science, journalism, communication, or marketing majors who are looking to gain experience working in a governmental communication environment. Contact Amy Watson, UIS Graduate Assistant, at agarw2@uis.edu to obtain a position description.

UIS Leadership Lived Media and Outreach Specialist

Job #7068246

The Media and Outreach Specialist will assist the UIS College of Public Affairs and Education (CPAE) communication team with social media, online communications, and campus and community outreach.

• They will work with the CPAE communication team in creating and scheduling posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• They will assist in monitoring and responding to social media messages and ensure posts and interactions maintain the UIS standards.
• They will assist the CPAE communication team in crafting newsletter articles, blog posts, press releases, and calendar event postings.
• They will assist the CPAE communication team and school directors in planning and advertising campus and community events.
• They will help in evaluating the outreach and effectiveness of social media messaging, online communications, and other outreach endeavors.

$12.00/hour

Find more information about the Media and Outreach Specialist position on the Career Connect website:  https://www.uis.edu/career/careerconnect. Position Announcement Closes on 10/17/22.

UIS Observer

The UIS Observer is the university's editorially independent, student-run digital multimedia hub, centered around campus life. The natural outgrowth of The Journal, the award-winning, longtime UIS student newspaper, the Observer features award-winning student journalism, along with podcasts, audio and video stories, digital artwork and other innovative offerings - an exciting source for valuable information by, for and about UIS students and the subjects and issues most important to them. From current events to campus happenings to cultural coverage, the Observer covers it all. 

NPR Illinois

NPR Illinois is a media outlet located on the UIS Campus and is a non-profit organization focused on producing content through digital and broadcast platforms. We deliver in-depth multimedia news reports, expert analysis on statewide issues, plus informative engagement events — all upholding the philosophy and integrity of public journalism. We are seeking communications students and students with previous radio experience. Work might include editing, air announcing, sound reporting, and website posting. 

Office of Electronic Media

The UIS Office of Electronic Media works with organizations and departments at UIS, as well as state agencies, to write, produce, & stream video content. Students have the opportunity to work a PAID campus position in OEM. Students will be trained to work in camera operation, directing, lighting, streaming, and other roles in video production. Advanced students will also have the opportunity to learn script writing, editing, and graphic design on projects for actual clients. OEM manages multiple types of production services, including Hybrid (in-person & Online) Zoom events, trainings, Live Sports streaming, meetings, public service announcements (PSAs), and social media/promotional content. Students studying communications/graphic design/media are preferred, but students of all majors are welcome. Training will be provided. Shifts are available as a sign-up, which allows students to fit the position to their schedule. To learn more, contact the UIS Office of Electronic Media.

Contact Scott Faingold, UIS Director of Student Media at sfain2@uis.edu, or learn more at www.uis.edu/scm.