Opportunities and outcomes
Communication, rhetoric, and influence topics covered
- Ethical and effective techniques in argumentation and rhetoric
- Interpersonal and group communication
- Listening, interviewing, and research
- History and theory of public address
- Relationship between language, thought, and behavior, and effects on culture
- Theories of persuasion, especially in relation to political campaigns, social movements, and advertising
Student learning outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of interpersonal communication, public address, communication theory, organizational communication, and argumentation. Students demonstrate knowledge through exams, written materials, theatre performances, and classroom projects.
- Demonstrate communication skill through student presentations in theatre productions, acting, workshops, forensics, interpersonal, small group, argumentation, public speaking, public relations, leadership, and organizational communication classes.
- Demonstrate application of communication studies and theatre arts through participation in workshops, forensics, internships, service-learning projects, communication conference participation, and senior portfolio development.
Career Scholars Program
Students in the Rhetoric, Influence, and Civic Engagement program are eligible to take part in the Career Scholars Program. The Career Scholars Program offers a generous scholarship package while you embark on a unique cooperative education journey starting your freshman year at Wayne State. During your time here, you’ll participate in career readiness activities, business site visits, job shadowing, and more - all while learning the fundamentals of professional practice. After three years on campus, you’ll complete your senior year by working at a paid job in your chosen field. Job locations include Norfolk or Grand Island, Neb., where you'll live in community housing with fellow Career Scholars students.
Intercollegiate forensics
The Wayne State Forensics Team is a competitive speech team that provides students the opportunity to grow their skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking, research development, creativity, leadership, and confidence. The team competes regionally and nationally in a variety of public address and interpretation event categories, including communication analysis/rhetorical criticism; persuasive, informative, extemporaneous, impromptu, and after dinner speaking; and dramatic and prose interpretation.
Communication internships
Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find public relations internships and career opportunities. Students majoring in Communication recently completed internships at the following locations:
- Children’s Hospital
- Logan Valley Contracting
- Rural Futures Institute
- St. Mary’s Catholic Church
- UNMC Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska
- Wayne Baseball Association
- Wayne State College
- WJAG Radio
Graduates work in their chosen field using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, eager employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.
Note: Due to the recent addition of the Rhetoric, Influence, and Civic Engagement program, career outcomes will be available for reporting beginning in Summer 2030 with the 2028-29 Graduate Outcomes Survey.
Possible careers:
- Lawyer
- Public policy manager
- Public information officer
- City council member
- Government official
job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
Communication Arts 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 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.
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.
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.
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 clubs for communication and civic engagement
Civic Leadership at Wayne State (CLAWS) - An organization focused on building a bridge between the community of Wayne and Wayne State College
Forensics Team - A competitive speech team that that competes regionally and nationally in a variety of public address and interpretation event categories
Lambda Pi Eta - National honor society for communication majors
Legal Minds - For students interested in all things related to law
Student Senate - Student body government of the college
Wildcat PR in ACTion - Focuses on improving the practice of public relations
Best Colleges in Nebraska for Communication and Rhetoric
Ranked among Nebraska’s top programs for speech communication and rhetoric in CollegeRaptor’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings.
A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to affordability, accessibility, and strong student outcomes that deliver a proven return on investment.
A Top Public College in the Midwest
Wayne State College is ranked among the top public colleges in the Midwest for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting strong academics and student outcomes.
