Communication Arts at Wayne State
The Department of Communication Arts is where stories turn into impact. Whether you are speaking on stage, producing a documentary, building a public relations campaign, writing news for print or digital media, or directing a live theatre performance, you will get hands-on access to professional broadcast studios, film equipment, and performance spaces from day one.
As a student here, you will learn how messages are shaped, shared, and received across platforms. You will write for The Wayne Stater newspaper, produce content for KWSC-FM and KWSC-TV, and bring original films to regional festivals. You will also have opportunities to perform, direct, or design for live theatre productions, including the annual children’s show that brings thousands of young audience members to campus each year.
Our goal is simple. We prepare you for what comes next. Graduates work in newsrooms, production companies, PR agencies, marketing firms, and community arts organizations. Others pursue graduate study. Your time in our department will help you build skill, confidence, and communication agility, which will open doors to careers and opportunities across media, performance, and public storytelling.
Get in touch
Communication Arts Department
Humanities, Room 213
402-375-7395
The communication professors I have gotten to work with are nothing short of excellent. I could immediately see how much they cared for their students and the material they were teaching. This experience made me excited to learn more about my field of study. I hope to change people’s lives with my degree. I chose communications as my field of study because of the storytelling aspect. My experience at WSC has instilled me with leadership qualities I hope to carry on in my future endeavors.
Geovanni Ascencio
South Sioux City, Nebraska
Major: Communication Studies

The communication professors I have gotten to work with are nothing short of excellent. I could immediately see how much they cared for their students and the material they were teaching. This experience made me excited to learn more about my field of study. I hope to change people’s lives with my degree. I chose communications as my field of study because of the storytelling aspect. My experience at WSC has instilled me with leadership qualities I hope to carry on in my future endeavors.

Geovanni Ascencio
South Sioux City, Nebraska
Major: Communication Studies
Department faculty

Sean Ahern, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Sean Ahern is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College and is the advisor for the on-campus radio station KWSC-FM 91.9 The Cat.

Brian Begley, MFA
Associate Professor
Brian Begley is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College and technical director and designer for the theatre program. He teaches lighting and set design, technical theatre, play writing, and acting specialties, including performance for the camera and stage combat.

Robbie Hall, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Robbie Hall is an assistant professor of communication arts at Wayne State College. He teaches courses in interpersonal communication, health communication, organizational communication, and qualitative research methods.

Pat Janssen, MFA
Assistant Professor
Pat Janssen teaches in the Communication Arts Department at Wayne State College. His academic interests include journalism ethics, sports and popular culture, social commentary in comedy, ethical film production, Midwestern narratives, and the relationship between politics and mass media.

Allyn Lueders, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Allyn Lueders is a communication studies professor at WSC. She teaches undergraduate courses in public relations and interpersonal communication and graduate courses in public relations leadership. She is the chair of the Communication Arts Department.

Teresa Morales, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Teresa Morales is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. In addition to teaching CNA 100 Principles of Human Communication, she also teaches Public Address, Argumentation, Persuasion, the Rhetoric of Civic Life, Professional Presentations, Language and Human Behavior, Organizational Leadership, Leadership Theory, and Case Studies in Organizational Leadership.

Rusty Ruth, MFA
Associate Professor
Rusty Ruth is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. He teaches acting, directing, dramatic literature, and stage dialect courses.

Mike White, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Mike White is a communication arts professor and teaches television and video production, electronic media, and other mass communication courses at Wayne State College. He advises KWSC-TV, the college’s cable television station, serving Wayne and streamed online. White also oversees the KWSC Productions (The Hot Attic), the student video and the short film production studio.

Joe Whitt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Joe Whitt is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. He specializes in human communication, particularly in interpersonal, intercultural, family, small group, environmental, and organizational contexts.

Student media opportunities
- Hot Attic Film School - Practice film production in a studio environment full of industry-grade video production equipment.
- KWSC-FM Radio- Get on-air training through our student-run campus radio station. Our fully equipped broadcast station runs 24 hours per day during the school year.
- KWSC-TV - Provide sports, news, and entertainment for the masses through our student-run cable access channel, KWSC-TV on Channel 6.
- The Wayne Stater - Practice your skills in reporting, writing, editing, and photography for the campus newspaper.
Communication programs at Wayne State
- Agricultural Communication and Leadership
Bachelor's degree program
- Communication Studies
Bachelor's degree program or minor
- Digital Film Production
Bachelor's degree program or minor
- Electronic Media
Bachelor's degree program or minor
- Film Criticism
Minor
- Intercultural Workplace Communication
Undergraduate certificate
- Interpersonal and Applied Communication
Bachelor's degree program
- Journalism
Bachelor's degree program or minor
- Journalism and Media Education (7-12)
Supplemental endorsement to teach grades 7-12
Teaching endorsement
Teaching Endorsement
- Mass Communication
Bachelor's degree
- Organizational Leadership and Public Relations
Bachelor's degree program
- Promotion and Media
Minor
- Public Relations Management (MSOM)
Online master's degree program
- Rhetoric, Influence, and Civic Engagement
Bachelor's degree program
- Speech Education (7-12)
Supplemental endorsement to teach grades 7-12
Teaching endorsement
Teaching Endorsement
- Sports Media
Bachelor's degree program
- Theatre Arts
Bachelor's degree program or minor
- Theatre Education (7-12)
Supplemental endorsement to teach grades 7-12
Teaching endorsement
Teaching Endorsement
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Where you'll learn
The Humanities Building is home to students in communication, language, and literature programs at Wayne State.

Earn while you learn
Receive a scholarship package and earn college credit for real, paid work experience in various communication fields.







