News
Lambda Pi Eta (Communication Honors Society): Fall 2026
For students looking to become more involved in Communications while receiving recognition for their academic achievements, University of Pittsburgh's chapter of Lambda Pi Eta offers an opportunity to do both.
Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) is the National Communication Association's official honor society. LPH is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) with over 500 chapters worldwide. The Omicron Psi Chapter at Pitt has been in existence since 2005 and has over 200 members.
Agora Speaker Series, Fall 2026
Agora continues this fall with talks and panels from visiting and Pitt-affiliated scholars.
Sept 4, 3:00–4:30 PM, CL 602: "And I Would Always Choose the Bear": The Man vs. Bear Consent Debate in Post-Digital Folk Music and Romantic Literature
— with Dr. Laura Niebling, Managing Director of DIMAS, University of Regensburg.
Oct 30, 3:00–4:30 PM, CL 242: The Sprawl: Archival Methods for Environmental Disability
COMM Club's Fall Semester Lineup
COMM Club has announced its fall meeting schedule. The group meets Mondays 9–10pm in 1414 CL.
William Pitt Debating Union: Two Public Debates in October
The William Pitt Debating Union is hosting two public debates this month.
The Front-Yard Squabble — Oct 19, 6pm, Posvar Hall. Eight of Pitt's top speakers face off across seven debates. OCC credit and refreshments provided.
Marcella Finegold Debate & Carlow Debate Team Inaugural Debate — Oct 22, 6–8pm, Carlow University, AJP 107. Keynote address by Dr. Carly S. Woods (University of Maryland). Featuring debaters from Pitt and Carlow. OCC credit available, catering provided.
Both events are free and open to the public.
PhD Student Seth Davis Publishes Article in Feminist Media Studies
Seth Davis, a PhD student in the Department of Communication and Rhetoric, has published "Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski: Postfeminism and the Representation of Latina Scientists" in Feminist Media Studies.
The article is the first publication to emerge from Dr. Litzy Galarza's inaugural graduate seminar in Latinx Media Studies — using coverage of physicist Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski to examine how media narratives about "exceptional" Latina figures can flatten the actual substance of their work.
New Publications from Dr. Litzy Galarza
Dr. Litzy Galarza, Assistant Professor of Communication, has two new book chapters out and a full book on the way!
Spiegel Award: Write an Essay, Win $400
The Department of Communication is running its annual competition for the Jennifer and Eric Spiegel Technology and Communications Award. The winner receives $400, deposited directly to their Pitt student account.
Eligible applicants are undergraduate COMMRC majors (sophomores, juniors, or first-semester seniors) in good academic standing and registered for Fall 2026. Entries can be an original essay or a paper already written for a class — any topic dealing with human communication and technology, minimum 500 words, typed and double-spaced.
Alumni Spotlight: Samantha Lancaster on Sports Studies and Communication
Like most Pittsburgh families, Samantha Lancaster’s living room was filled with the sounds of sports, whether it was football, hockey, or baseball. That early exposure fueled her unparalleled passion for sports. As she grew older, her parents continued to encourage her to pursue that passion.
New Undergraduate Certificate in Journalism
Beginning this fall semester, undergraduate students in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences will have the opportunity to pursue a new Undergraduate Certificate in Journalism, an 18-credit, cross-disciplinary program designed to prepare students for success in today's rapidly evolving media landscape.
Daniel K. and Amy L. Jenkins 2026 Endowed Fund for Student Resources
The Department of Communication proudly announces that Emma Patterson has received The Daniel K. and Amy L. Jenkins Endowed Fund for Student Resources for 2026.
The purpose of this endowment is to establish an award for educational expenses for students in the Department of Communication in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.
COMMRC Connect Interns Put Communication Skills to Work
COMMRC Connect, the Department of Communication's student internship program, has wrapped up another successful semester. Founded in 2020 and led by Teaching Associate Professor Dr. David Molina, the program gives 10 undergraduate students hands-on experience executing real communication initiatives for the department.
Understanding Conspiracy Thinking: Dr. Calum Matheson on a New Podcast Episode
Dr. Calum Matheson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication, was recently featured on the podcast Saving the World from Bad Ideas in a conversation with journalist and activist Mark Lynas. The episode focused on the growing influence of conspiracy theories and their corrosive effects on democratic life.
Say It Better: The Value of the Human Voice in the AI Age
For college students, thinking about the future can feel all consuming sometimes. What skills are needed for success? What connections should be forged? What skills must be mastered at this critical juncture? Business Insider’s Amanda Hoover argues that communication skills are the golden ticket for top-tier, quality employment.
Undergraduate Spotlight: COMMRC Student, Sherdina Davis, Receives Early Acceptance to Accelerated MA Program in Public Health at Pitt
Sherdina Davis didn't start college planning to study Communication. Now a third-year at the University of Pittsburgh, she has earned early acceptance into Pitt's accelerated Health Policy and Management program — a goal she found by following her own instincts, and the advice of the right professors.