6th Edition College of Arts & Media Magazine, Fall 2024
6th Edition College of Arts & Media Magazine, Fall 2024
Dr. Ronald E. Shields, Dean College of Arts & Media
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Editor in Chief
Weslie Gray
Executive Editor Dominic Carozza
Contributing Writers
Nifemi Bola
Julia May
Stephen Langlais
Art Director
Kimberly Holzer
Layout & Design
Parker Marley
Brianna Velazquez
Kira Wygle
Rachel Lazar
Elizabeth Cruz
Photography
David Rios
Angi Sosa
Contributors noted in captions
Videography
Nicolas McKee
Visit us online at www.shsu.edu/cam
For questions or concerns, contact us at marketing@shsu.edu
ON THE COVER
Explore the ever-changing landscape of digital media through our fully online master’s program, emerging and social media. Combining physical and digital media elements, the cover represents the nature of emerging media and illustrates the vast array of channels through which the new age of media is delivered to the world. These icons swim together, symbolizing the interconnectedness of modern communication. Explore more about our Master of Arts in emerging and social media on page 50
Brian
Alan
The College of Arts and Media combines five outstanding academic units: Departments of Art, Dance, Mass Communication, and Theatre and Musical Theatre as well as the School of Music. All students pursuing a degree in arts and media will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
We're excited to welcome you into our galleries and performance venues that showcase the best of our students and faculty. Each academic year, the College of Arts and Media offers a full schedule of exciting events and performances. While not all of our events require a ticket for admission, those that do are listed on our Box Office website. More information and a full calendar of our events, see pg. 9
WELCOME TO CAM MAGAZINE
Dear Colleagues and Friends of CAM,
This issue of the CAM Magazine highlights the amazing accomplishments of several College of Arts and Media graduates who have found success in the highly competitive fields of arts and media. From creative work in dance and graphic design studio settings, from positions at Disney and Southwest Airlines to the highest level of professional post-production assignments in the entertainment industry – CAM graduates have found success as they continue to adapt and thrive as professionals. We also celebrate the distinguished recipients of this year’s CAM legacy awards, David Adickes and Paul and Joan Culp.
I find it inspiring to consider these personal stories alongside the articles describing ongoing CAM faculty research in art and social practice, dance, and art history and the recent addition of undergraduate and graduate classes in emerging and social media. Taken together these articles and photo essays provide a multi-faceted tale of a college dedicated to student success through insightful creative activity, engaged and active teaching, and meaningful research.
As some of you already know, after more than four decades in higher education, including thirty years as an administrator, I decided to step back from my position as dean of the College of Arts and Media to return to the faculty ranks full-time, effective June 30, 2024. Reflecting on the past eleven years as an admitnistrator at Sam Houston State University, I am immensely proud of the myriad faculty, staff, and student accomplishments I’ve applauded along the way. I look forward to continuing to contribute to CAM through a renewed focus on my research, service, and teaching in the semesters ahead. The future remains bright for CAM under the leadership of interim dean, Dr. Mia Long Anderson.
I welcome you to the pages of the 6th Edition of CAM Magazine!
My Best,
Dr. Ronald E. Shields, Dean College of Arts & Media
WELCOMING THE INTERIM DEAN
Dear CAM Community,
This summer, I attended an academic conference in one of our nation’s oldest cities, Philadelphia. While the city is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, it is also a hub for the arts. During my visit, I reconnected with a college classmate who is also a news anchor for Philadelphia’s top news station. She provided me with a tour of the city, which included stops at the Rocky statue, three of the five squares around which the city is built, the 6ABC newsroom, and a trip down the Avenue of the Arts (South Broad Street), home to the Academy of Music, Arader Galleries, Koresh Dance Company, Miller Theater, Philadelphia Ballet, the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and other arts organizations. The highlight of the tour was dinner at The Victor Café, one of Philadelphia’s oldest Italian restaurants, where employees perform opera every twenty minutes. To enjoy great Italian food, good company, and two arias from Carmen (among others) was amazing.
My experience on the trip reminded me of the rich culture of the College of Arts and Media. Spread across five buildings, our students, faculty, and staff learn, build, rehearse, perform and present unparalleled joie de vivre that resonates throughout our campus and within the greater Huntsville and global communities. In the past year alone, members of the CAM community have shared their work at New York’s Open Source Gallery, acted in A.D. Players’ Fiddler on the Roof at the George Theatre, presented research at the United Nations’ AI for Good global summit in Geneva, performed with renowned symphony orchestras and ensembles, and engaged with alumni like film industry maven Jim Eberle and NBC News Correspondent Morgan Chesky.
In August, I helped incoming freshmen move into the CAM Creative Community. The joy, anxiety, and promise in the eyes of the students and their families are both enlightening and challenging. I am personally challenged to make their time in CAM one of growth and reward. With this in mind, I approach the new academic year with one guiding thought – that CAM remain creative, active, and meaningful – as we support and celebrate students, faculty and staff.
I hope to see you at our events, as we continue to uphold the vibrancy of our amazing community of artists, producers, designers, and performers.
Thank you for your support.
Best,
Dr. Mia Long Anderson, Ph.D. Interim Dean College of Arts & Media
COLLEGE OF ARTS & MEDIA 2024
SHSU.EDU/CAMEVENTS
CAM ARTIST SERIES Experience the arts this season and join us for hand-selected events from each of our five areas. Each CAM artist series event exemplifies the talents and creativity of our students, faculty, and guest artists.
FALL 2024 SPRING 2025
Art
66TH ANNUAL FACULTY EXHIBITION
Sept. 16-Oct. 5 | Exhibition
University Art Gallery, ARTS Free Event
Dance
MASTERS OF DANCE
Sept. 27 & 28 | 8:00 p.m.
Dance Theater, GPAC
Music
WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Oct. 1 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Theatre & Musical Theatre
TIGERS BE STILL
By Kim Rosenstock
Director's Debut
Oct. 1 & 3 | 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 | Matinee | 2:00 p.m.
Showcase Theatre, UTC
Theatre & Musical Theatre FIREFLIES
By Donja R. Love
Director's Debut
Oct. 2, 4 & 5| 7:30 p.m.
Showcase Theatre, UTC
Music
FESTIVAL OF STRINGS: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT
Oct. 4 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Music
SYMPHONIC BAND CONCERT
Oct. 8 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Art
CAM ARTIST SERIES
MURRAY SMITHER COLLECTION:
A LIFE IN ART EXHIBITION
Oct. 14-Nov. 26 | Exhibition
Nov. 9 | Reception |3:00 p.m.
University Art Gallery, ARTS Free Event
Music
JAZZ BANDS CONCERT
Oct. 17 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Theatre & Musical Theatre
CARRIE: THE MUSICAL
Music by Michael Gore
Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Book by Lawrence D. Cohen
Based on the novel by Stephen King
Oct. 24-26 | 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 | Matinee | 2:00 p.m.
Erica Starr Theatre, UTC
Music
ALL CHOIRS CONCERT
Oct. 25 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Music TWENTY-FOUR
(OR, THE CURE FOR LOVE)
Presented by SHSU Opera
Oct. 31-Nov 2 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Music
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT
Nov. 5 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Dance
SENIOR STUDIO
Nov. 14-16 | 8:00 p.m.
Dance Theater, GPAC
Music
SYMPHONIC BAND CONCERT
Nov. 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Theatre & Musical Theatre
CAM ARTIST SERIES
IMOGEN SAYS NOTHING
By Aditi Brennan Kapil
Nov. 20-24 | 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 23-24 |Matinee | 2:00 p.m.
Showcase Theatre, UTC
Music
WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Nov. 21 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Music
JAZZ BANDS CONCERT
Nov. 26 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Dance
DANCE SPECTRUM IN CONCERT
Dec. 5-7 | 8:00 p.m.
Dance Theater, GPAC
Music
CAM ARTIST SERIES
HOLIDAY CONCERT
Dec. 5-6 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Art
STUDIO ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND ANIMATION
SENIOR EXHIBITION
Dec. 9-15 | Exhibition
University Art Gallery, ARTS Free Event
*All events are subject to change. To stay up to date and find more events, visit shsu.edu/camevents or click here!
Art
SEEING TEXAS: MICHELLE CHEN, ANA FERNANDEZ, & KAI MAI
Jan. 20-Mar. 1 | Exhibition
University Art Gallery, ARTS Free Event
Music
WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Feb. 6 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Theatre & Musical Theatre TWELFTH NIGHT
By William Shakespeare
Feb. 20-22 | 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 | Matinee | 2:00 p.m.
Erica Starr Theatre, UTC
Music
SYMPHONIC BAND & CONCERT BAND CONCERT
Feb. 26 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Music
JAZZ BANDS CONCERT
Feb. 27 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Music
CHORALE AND BELLES VOIX CHOIR CONCERT
Mar. 1 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Music
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Mar. 6 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Theatre & Musical Theatre LYDIA
By Octavio Solis
Mar. 19-22 | 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 22-23 | Matinee | 2:00 p.m.
Showcase Theatre, UTC
Music
ART SONG FESTIVAL
Mar. 21-22 | 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 23 | 3:30 p.m.
Recital Hall, GPAC Free Event
Art
25TH ANNUAL JURIED STUDENT EXHIBITION
Mar. 24-April 5 | Exhibition
University Art Gallery, ARTS Free Event
Dance
CAM ARTIST SERIES SENIOR STUDIO
Mar. 27-29 | 8:00 p.m.
Dance Theater, GPAC
Music
BILL WATROUS JAZZ FESTIVAL
Featuring the incomparable Gunhild Carling
Mar. 28-29 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Mass Communication MCOMICON 2025
April 2 | 11:00 a.m.
First Floor, DRCB Free Event
Music O AND COMPANY
Presented by SHSU Opera
April 3-5 | 7:30 p.m.
Recital Hall, GPAC
Music
ALL CHOIRS CONCERT
April 7 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Dance MASTERS OF DANCE
April 11-12| 8:00 p.m.
Dance Theater, GPAC
Art
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SENIOR EXHIBITION
April 14-16 | Exhibition
University Art Gallery, ARTS Free Event
Music
WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT
April 16 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Art ANIMATION PROGRAM FESTIVAL
April 22 | Exhibition
219 A/B, ARTS Free Event
Music
JAZZ BANDS CONCERT
April 22 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Music
SYMPHONIC BAND & CONCERT BAND CONCERT
April 24 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Theatre & Musical Theatre SPRING MUSICAL
To be determined
April 24-26 | 7:30 p.m.
April 26 | Matinee | 2:00 p.m.
Erica Starr Theatre, UTC
Music
CAM ARTIST SERIES
TRIUMPH, TRIUMPH, VICTORIA!
Harmonia Stellarum Houston
April 26 | 7:30 p.m.
Recital Hall, GPAC
Mass Communication
CAM ARTIST SERIES HEATWAVE
April 28-May 1
Various times & locations Free Event
Dance
DANCE SPECTRUM IN CONCERT
May 1-3 | 8:00 p.m.
Dance Theater, GPAC
Music
MASTERWORKS
Featuring Symphony Orchestra, SHSU Chorale, Musikanten, and Belles Voix
May 1 | 7:30 p.m.
Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
Art
STUDIO ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND ANIMATION SENIOR EXHIBITION
May 5-10 | Exhibition
University Art Gallery, ARTS Free Event
COLLEGE OF ARTS & MEDIA NEWSFEED
@shsucam
@shsucam
@shsu_cam
SHSU College of Arts & Media
#SHSUCAM #Orientation
The college overview sessions present the newest class of CAM students with an opportunity to learn more about their departments and programs.
#SHSUDance #MastersOfDance
This production is organized each semester through the graduate dance organization Master's of Dance and showcases the work of MFA in dance students.
#SHSUArt #SeniorExhibition
The Fall 2023 Studio Art, Photography, and Animation Senior Exhibition includes various works by graduating BFA students.
#SHSUMusic #CamArtistSeries
Scott Plugge and Friends kicked off the year with an evening of jazz-influenced classical music for the soprano
#SHSUMassComm #FilmAndTVProduction
Behind the scenes of "By Decree," a short film produced by students in the BFA in film and TV production program.
#SHSUTheatre #DirectorsDebut
There were three shows in the Directors' Debut Series throughout the spring and summer semesters: Matt & Ben, Mr. Wolf, and Bug.
saxophone.
The Spring 2024 Graphic Design Senior Exhibition showcases the works of graduating seniors in the SHSU graphic design program. This year's exhibition, "In The Making," was named after the scenarios, successes, and what-ifs that have prepared students for a future that has been in the making since the day they stepped foot on campus.
" There’s no way I would be where I am today without the education I received at SHSU." -Erin McCann
Two Department of Mass Communication graduates are enjoying successful careers in the airline industry as communicators for Southwest Airlines while using skills they developed almost 20 years ago at Sam Houston State University.
Dan Landson, BFA in radio and television, 2006, is a public relations advisor for the airline and Erin Barnard McCann, BFA in radio and television, 2006, is an internal communication consultant.
Dan Landson
As a public relations advisor at Southwest, Landson works with several internal business units across the company, while also supporting public relations and media relations efforts in Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, among others.
“On any given day, we are working with colleagues to generate story ideas to pitch to journalists — everything from new routes to new products and services,” he said. “We are also building relationships with reporters, working with our social team to create content to drive engagement and revenue, and helping executives prepare for an interview, speech, presentation, or even overseeing
their social channel platforms. Our work is extremely diverse, and no two days are ever the same.”
Landson chose SHSU primarily because freshmen were given the opportunity to get involved with their major classes on day one.
"I never changed my major and always enjoyed where I was headed."
-Dan Landson
“The idea of going somewhere else and spending two years doing pre-reqs before being able to apply for your major wasn’t enticing to me,” he said. “Within a few days of starting at Sam, I knew I made the right decision. There’s no way I would be where I am today without the education I received at SHSU.”
Like many broadcast journalism students, Landson wanted to be a reporter.
“There is something about being in the field, the rush of breaking news, meeting new people every day, and sharing the stories of the community that really drew me into the role,” he said. “I never changed my major and always enjoyed where I was headed. While I was focused on broadcast journalism, I kept learning about other opportunities including in sports broadcasting, but always found myself back in a reporting track.”
Following graduation, Landson applied to nearly 100 TV stations across the country which resulted in only two interviews — and no jobs.
“Instead of being down about it, I changed my approach and started applying for other entry level roles just to get experience,” he said.
Within a few weeks he was offered a job in news as an associate producer and editor at KLAS-TV in Las Vegas. He remained at the TV station for seven years, holding a variety of producing positions before leaving the news industry for a public relations opportunity at Southwest Airlines in 2013.
SOARING HEART with
SHSU
Alumni Shine at Southwest Airlines
BY JULIA MAY
Landson says it is especially rewarding for him personally to tell positive stories about the airline’s employees, customers and the ways Southwest provides community support in the cities the airline serves.
“While we’re always listening to what our employees and customers are talking about and sharing, we’re also keeping an eye out for those ‘special moments’ that happen in airports and on our planes,” he said. “We often reach out to those customers and employees and share their stories on a Southwest social media channel; sometimes these stories end up being featured by news outlets around the world.”
Some of the more fun moments he’s worked on included organizing an inflight wedding between Nashville, Tenn. and Dallas which Huffington Post ranked as the “6th Craziest Wedding Headline of 2014.” He also surprised a couple with an in-airport wedding shower after the soonto-be husband posted a message about a kind gesture from one of the airline’s customer service agents; and even threw a fashion show in the sky between New York and Chicago to highlight a new partnership.
The airline often shares other heartfelt stories about its employees. In 2018, Landson worked with one of the airline’s captains who had the opportunity to fly his
"SHSU had the great reputation of having a broadcast journalism program that was incredibly hands-on and having faculty that invested in their students."
-Erin McCann
courtesy of Erin McCann.
Photo
"It’s an incredibly rewarding experience to share our employees’ stories." -Dan Landson
his father’s remains back to Dallas, 52 years after the father was killed in action during the Vietnam War. As it turns out, Love Field — the airline’s home airport — is where the captain dropped his dad off for deployment when he was five years old. Originally, the story was planned to be a video on YouTube and other content on the airline’s social channels. The media got wind of it, and the story became one of the most viral news moments of the year and one of the most successful stories the airline published on its Facebook account.
“It’s an incredibly rewarding experience to share our employees’ stories,” Landson said. “While there’s a PR element of making something successful through placements or engagements, there’s a human element of being able to document the day and provide something for the family to hold on to forever.”
Sometimes, however, the news of the day is not always uplifting.
“At Southwest Airlines, we are a 24/7 industry that’s transporting more than 500,000 people daily. We have to be able to switch gears at a moment’s notice should a situation come up that takes over social and traditional media channels,” he said. “That just comes with the nature of our work.”
During a crisis, the Southwest Communication Team is on the front lines of working with the company’s leaders
to craft statements and disseminating information to employees, media, customers, and other stakeholders ensuring they are informed with the latest information.
“Time is of the essence, and just a little delay could mean the difference between controlling or losing the overall narrative,” he said.
Reflecting on his own experience as a mass communication major at SHSU, Landson advises current students to take every opportunity to learn.
“Be curious, ask questions,” he said, “and network, network, network.”
Erin McCann
Erin McCann manages all facets of communication for her internal client, Southwest Airlines’ Technical Operations Team — known outside the industry as maintenance and engineering — a work group of approximately 5,000 employees. She handles everything from developing executive voice, to supporting strategic projects and developing speaking points for events, to long-range strategic communications and daily communication needs.
Prior to joining Southwest in 2022, she spent 15 years working in K-12 education, primarily as a school
communicator. She worked for four school districts and her final role was as the director of marketing and communications for Allen ISD, a large school district in North Texas.
“In school PR, I was a generalist, which means I handled a little bit of everything from social media to external media relations, crisis and internal communications,” she said. “At Southwest, I love that I am able to focus on internal communications and really support my clients with their needs. While at SHSU, I never really knew there was an entire sector of our career field that focused on internal communication. But after my years working in public education, I was able to identify that this was an area I really enjoyed and wanted to explore.”
The ability to focus on a specific audience has allowed McCann to work on interesting projects and events that affect her workgroup. In February 2024, alongside external partner Landson, McCann was part of a hangar facility expansion in Phoenix that saw local media, community partners, and tech ops team members come together to celebrate the new facility space, as well as a continued advancement into Southwest’s operation on the west coast.
Although McCann did not start her collegiate academic journey at SHSU, she became a Bearkat around her junior year when she transferred to SHSU.
Photo courtesy of Dan Landson.
“I found myself needing a program that had professors with whom I could build relationships,” she said. “With Dan Rather as our patron, SHSU had the great reputation of having a broadcast journalism program that was incredibly hands-on and having faculty that invested in their students. My time on campus was pivotal and I learned so much.”
Shortly before she graduated, her goals shifted toward a desire for more work/life balance than a career in broadcasting would provide. She never sent out a single audition tape and instead found herself looking for other roles in the realm of communication that leveraged her skill set.
“However, all of the skills I learned at SHSU have directly applied to the changes I made to work in PR and internal communication,” she said, “I am especially grateful for the variety of experiences I had in everything from production to screenwriting, to public relations.”
"Even with my concentration in broadcast journalism, Sam taught me how to tell a great story"
-Erin McCann
Since earning her degree at SHSU, McCann has participated in the Certified Public Communicator program at Texas Christian University, and she attained the Accreditation in Public Relations certification widely recognized as the highest level of accreditation for public relations professionals.
Almost 15 years after graduating from SHSU, she began to think about earning a terminal degree.
“A former boss suggested that to reach the top job in my career, I should really consider a master’s degree,” she said. “This was at the beginning of COVID. I was home much more than I ever had been before and began to consider that balancing another degree and a career may be possible.”
She enrolled at Sacred Heart University in the strategic communication program.
“I found that as an older, professional student, I really loved higher education,” McCann said. “I excelled and was invited to come back and teach in that same program after I graduated in 2022.”
Upon encouragement from some of her professors, she then began to think about getting a PhD. In fall 2022, she enrolled in the University of North Dakota, which offers a unique hyflex doctoral program, with a focus on interpersonal communication.
McCann encourages current SHSU undergraduates to get involved in as many things as they can to help formulate an enriched, well-rounded experience. Not only was she actively involved with the department’s radio and television programs, she was also a part of Greek Life as a member of Alpha Chi Omega.
Like Landson, she believes in the importance of networking.
In fact, her friendship and connection with Landson is what led her to Southwest Airlines, almost 20 years after they were at SHSU together.
“I saw the posting for my job and sent him a message asking about the position, the company, and the culture,” she said. “He told me he thought I’d be a great fit and personally walked my resume down to the hiring manager. I couldn’t be more thrilled with my role at Southwest and am thankful for the connection who helped me get my foot in the door.”
"Be curious, ask questions, and network, network, network."
-Dan Landson
Dan Landson pictured far left and Erin McCann pictured center. Photo courtesy of Dan Landson.
Dance Spectrum in Concert is a bi-annual performance that highlights multi-talented SHSU dance artists. Andy Noble’s haunting work, "Flashburn," includes the magical effect of snow falling in the dark and intricate lighting to illuminate the ghostlike images of tension and loss.
Four College of Arts and Media faculty members are demonstrating insight into why, and how, they offer real-life, practical knowledge to coursework and the classroom, so that their students will be more familiar with professional expectations when they complete their academic journeys.
In the past year, Dionne and Andy Noble in the Department of Dance have presented work at the United Nations’ AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland; art history professor Melissa Mednicov’s book on Pop art and Jewish American identity has been published; and the work of Master of Fine Arts graduate coordinator and art professor Jody Wood has been featured and reviewed in The New York Times.
Photo courtesy of Jody Wood
Photo courtesy of Lynne Lane
that the arts and
- Dionne Noble
Dionne an D a n D y n oble
A unique blend of dance artistry, music, and neuroengineering provided the opportunity for Andy and Dionne Noble to present research at the United Nations’ AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland on May 31, 2024.
Dionne is a professor of dance and directs the Sam Houston State University dance graduate program. She also teaches modern technique, choreography, research methods, and dance and technology. Andy is a professor of dance and associate chair of the dance department. Both are directors of NobleMotion Dance, a non-profit dance company recognized for their intense physicality and unique collaborations.
The research was a groundbreaking collaboration with SHSU, Rice University, and the University of Houston and produced “Meeting of Minds,” a program choreographed by the Nobles and performed by SHSU dance alumni and adjunct professors Lauren Serrano and Tyler Orcutt. Among other things, the dance explores what occurs in the brain during expressive movement in a social context. The dancers wore brain caps with computer interface technology that projected their brain movements onto a screen as they performed.
The theme of the dance piece emerged from two angles, Dionne explained.
“From the artistic side, the team wanted to create a work that feels relevant to the times,” she said. “It is no secret that there is a lot of dissension in the world — disagreement, misunderstanding. Artistically, we wanted to show how two individuals could start in a divided place and slowly move towards cooperation and healing.
“From the scientific side, this theme provided rich avenues for study and clear strategies for studying synchrony between brains,” she said. “For example, if you create a section of a dance with absolutely no eye contact and then create a section with extended eye contact, what will the data show? The early findings show that the answer to that question is fascinating; eye contact apparently creates a significant amount of brain synchrony.
“Through the collaboration specifically, we are finding that the benefits of dance for brain health are significant,” she said. “This reframes the way that we talk about dance to our students and provides great insights for us as teachers into the learning process.
“It also allows us to demonstrate that the arts and sciences can co-exist and learn from one another with great impact,” she said.
''Through the collaboration specifically, we are finding that the benefits of dance for brain health are significant.''
- Dionne Noble
The collaborative effort included work by Anthony Brandt, the artistic director for Musiqa — a Houstonbased arts organization that focuses on the creation of new music, and Jose Contreras-Vidal, UH Distinguished Professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the University of Houston IUCRC BRAIN Center. As directors of NobleMotion Dance, Andy and Dionne have co-produced several evening length programs for Musiqa, but this was their first collaboration directly with Brandt.
“In December 2023, Dr. Contreras-Vidal was invited to present research on brain-computer interfaces (BCI) at the United Nations AI summit,” said Dionne. “As the artsscience team was steeped in creating 'Meeting of Minds' at that time, it was decided that it would be the perfect presentation to bring to the summit based on its blending of the arts, science and application of AI for good.”
The original work was 35 minutes in length and 10 sections long. For the summit the team was allotted 15 minutes for the presentation.
“Many of the presentations were 10 minutes or less, so our allotment was on the longer side,” Dionne said. “Additionally, the stage was non-traditional, much wider and narrower than the typical stage. Therefore, we had to choose the right combination of sections that would tell the story and demonstrate the scientific experiment.”
The presentation of the performance is just one of a number of prestigious accomplishments the SHSU dance program has achieved through the years.
“It certainly puts SHSU dance centerstage at an international venue engaging in important conversations about the trajectory of AI,” Dionne said. “SHSU has one of the strongest dance programs in the country. The students and faculty are highly talented, and SHSU regularly impresses audiences wherever they perform.
“A special performance like this deepens the feeling of pride for the whole SHSU dance family—from faculty to students to alumni,” she said.
Photos
Jo D y Woo D
In addition to her work as the Master of Fine Arts graduate coordinator and assistant professor of art at Sam Houston State University, Wood is an artist working in mediums of social practice, video, photography, and performance. She teaches in the Master of Fine Arts degree program in art and social practice.
Through her art, she advocates for increased social support systems and interconnection across different socioeconomic positions. She is particularly interested in finding ways to expand social support for people who have fallen through the cracks in society such as those living in homeless shelters.
One of her most recent solo exhibitions, “Collecting Health," was featured and reviewed in The New York Times earlier this year. The exhibition included new artwork entitled “How to Sleep in Cape Town, New Jersey, and Sweden.” This piece is the first of a new series of wall installations, each devoted to remedying an ailment or system that was explored through one of her earlier pieces, “Social Pharmacy.”
Janet’s Remedy adding cinnamon and honey to warm milk to subconsciously trigger memories of drinking breast milk, and Abby-Gail’s Remedy burning white sage at night for its calming effect.
''My favorite thing about seeing the project operate is that it gets people who didn’t previously know each other into deep conversations about personal health journeys and healthcare experiences pretty quickly."
- Jody Wood
The piece was exhibited in her solo show entitled “Collecting Health” at Open Source Gallery in Brooklyn alongside “Social Pharmacy” and other related works. She is currently working on a second wall installation which focuses on beauty and fertility.
tension between the abundance of healthcare and the lack of access to that care due to the realities of poverty, which is a common story in so many American cities.”
The awareness sparked Wood’s curiosity about what people were using outside of hospitals to remedy their health ailments. She began collecting and compiling the home remedies, made them into objects, and returned them to the same community within a portable case. Thus, the “Social Pharmacy” became the installation component that housed these remedies and made it possible for them to be freely exchanged in a public space.
“As I activated the remedy exchange, it became a hub for community members to share knowledge and advice with one another,” she said. “Of course the project is not meant to be a replacement for healthcare services. The project proposes reciprocal and socially interconnected notions of health in contrast to the reductive approach of allopathic medicine which tends to view symptoms apart from their social, emotional and material context.
“'Social Pharmacy' is a mobile installation facilitating community exchange of health remedies for mental, emotional and physical well-being. The project accumulates a living library of people who comprise specific locales, offering a non-hierarchical collection of health resources from traditional and family knowledge that can be accessed in a public installation,” she said.
“Consequently, the project proposes public health as a collaborative performance scripted and enacted by strangers living in proximity of one another,” she said. “The project was initiated in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and has traveled to
Some might consider “How to Sleep in Cape Town, New Jersey, and Sweden” a continuation of “Social Pharmacy” which was initiated during Wood’s artist residency with CoLab Arts and Elijah’s Promise, an anti-poverty agency alleviating food insecurity in New Brunswick.
“My favorite thing about seeing the project operate is that it gets people who didn’t previously know each other into deep conversations about personal health journeys and healthcare experiences pretty quickly,” she said.
Wood’s work has been featured in The Atlantic, Hyperallergic, and The Art Newspaper, and has appeared in national and international solo and group exhibitions. Having “Collecting Health” reviewed in The New York Times has been especially rewarding for Wood.
Cape Town, South Africa; Brooklyn, New York; and throughout Sweden.”
Her latest piece displays home remedies that were contributed by individuals who participated in “Social Pharmacy,” making it art with an anthropological interest. In “How to Sleep in Cape Town, New Jersey, and Sweden,” home remedies for insomnia are displayed, including Kina’s Remedy drinking water infused with iceberg lettuce which contains trace amounts of a sedative,
“I started out by engaging in casual conversation with constituents picking up food from the soup kitchen, and I was struck by how many people suffered daily with chronic illnesses yet avoided hospitals either due to lack of access or mistrust,” Wood said. “From some of my past projects, I was already aware that poverty is a cause and consequence of poor health, and this was further confirmed by the stories I was hearing.
“My additional research uncovered that New Brunswick is dubbed ‘Healthcare City’ because of its many nationally recognized hospitals, pharmaceutical corporations, and internationally recognized medical research facilities,” she said. “It also had the lowest vaccination rate of any city in New Jersey in 2021 and a 35 percent poverty rate— the highest in New Jersey. This perfectly illustrates the
“In addition to being a personal milestone, it represents a level of recognition that is more widely seen than most of the press coverage I’ve had in the past,” she said. “Even more notable is that The Times is more frequently covering artists working with social practice, which has operated on the margins of the ‘art world’ for decades. In its earlier days, social practice represented an artistic discipline that resisted the lure of the art market, even at times counteracting and disrupting it.
“Now it is a legitimate pathway into the art market, for better or worse,” she said. “Regardless of the recognition that the field does or doesn’t get, I find it to be a deeply meaningful and needed practice with our society at large.”
Photo courtesy of Jody Wood.
Meliss a Me D nicov
In her most recent book, Associate Professor of Art History Melissa L. Mednicov gives readers a look into the work of Jewish artists, dealers, institutions, and collectors in New York City during the ’60s and how their identity was molded so that they would fit into societal expectations.
“Jewish American Identity and Erasure in Pop Art” is Mednicov’s second book. It follows her first book, “Pop Art and Popular Music: Jukebox Modernism,” and was released earlier this year by Routledge, a leading academic publisher.
“As I worked on my first book, I started to see many references without much analysis to the Jewish American identity of many central figures within the Pop art movement in New York City,” Mednicov said. “I began to see many instances of the erasure of identity — Jewish identity was one example — and wanted to pursue further research.”
Both of Mednicov’s books bring together a variety of Pop art themes. Her first book was interdisciplinary, combining traditional art history and music theory, and addressed how music and Pop art can produce better understandings of identity within Pop art. Her second book goes further to focus on how Jewish American identity was often mentioned in relation to ’60s Pop art, but rarely analyzed.
Mednicov received a Getty Library Research Grant that enabled her to spend two weeks in the Getty Library Special
“There are many forms of Jewish American identity and some, although not all, are represented by figures in my book,” she said.
“The ’60s as a historical moment and Pop art both continue to resonate in contemporary history and art practices/exhibitions, and understanding how identity enters and was, at times, erased from history helps us to better understand both the historical period and the contemporary moment.
''There are many forms of Jewish American identity and some, although not all, are represented figures in my book."
- Melissa Mednicov
“It is important to understand the history of a period, in this case the 1960s, in which many virulent forms of antisemitism were present,” Mednicov said. “As I began the completion of my manuscript in January 2022 during my faculty development leave, I was horrified, as a Jewish American, to see the increase in antisemitism in the United States and globally and its continued growth — which has made the book take on further scholarly and personal significance.”
Collections researching renowned art critics Harold Rosenberg and Clement Greenberg. Since the completion and submission of the book she has had the opportunity to speak with artist Audrey Flack, the internationally acclaimed painter, sculptor and pioneer of photorealism.
“Jewish American Identity and Erasure in Pop Art” will have a special appeal to scholars of art history, Jewish studies, American studies, and history.
Mednicov’s next book, “Monumental: The Art of David Adickes,” is on Texas artist David Adickes and will release in Fall 2024 from Texas A&M University Press. The book is co-written with Associate Dean of CAM and Professor of Art Michael H. Henderson and includes a photo essay by Department of Art Chair Rebecca Finley. Additionally, Mednicov writes contemporary art criticism for Glasstire.
“Jewish American Identity and Erasure in Pop Art” is available in hardcover and e-book from Routledge.
Heatwave is an annual national film festival hosted by the Department of Mass Communication that showcases the best of student work. Awards are granted in over 30 categories to celebrate student filmmakers nationwide.
Jack Fralik, director and winner of best writing, best cinematography, and best picture for film "CHEMISTRY."
Audience choice award winner David Rios (right) for film "The Forever Promise, Suprise."
Photos courtesy of Nico McKee, Jack Fralik, and Mackenzie Sue.
Fall 2024
Heatwave winners 2024
Legacy Award Winners
A noted artist, David Adickes, and two long-time supporters of the arts, Paul and Joan Culp, have been selected for the College of Arts and Media’s Legacy Award for 2023-24. The award celebrates individuals whose outstanding career accomplishments and arts service have built a legacy for Sam Houston State University students. It was established by Ronald E. Shields, former dean of CAM, in 2018.
BY JULIA MAY
David Adickes
Although David Adickes is recognized and respected as a successful painter, he is probably best known for his larger-than-life public art works, including the 67-foottall sculpture of Texas hero Sam Houston on Interstate 45.
A Huntsville, Texas native, Adickes served as a member of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He was assigned to a flight crew that regularly flew back and forth between New York and Paris. Each assignment allowed about three days of downtime in Paris, and his love for art increased each time he was able to take in the sights and the sounds of the city. In fact, he has noted that seeing Paris for the first time was a life-changing experience.
Initially leaning toward a career in aerial photography, he could not ignore his attraction to creating art which had surfaced when he was younger. At the age of 14, he was introduced to oil painting. His first works included painted portraits of his father, Frank Sinatra and a selfportrait from a photograph.
After the war, he returned to Huntsville and enrolled in SHSU to complete his education. However instead of working on a degree in art, he decided to get a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and math which he earned in 1948.
“I wanted the first degree I could get,” Adickes said, “and I had more hours in math and physics than anything else.”
steel and concrete sculpture of a cellist entitled Virtuoso currently at Houston’s Lyric Tower Building, and 43 giant heads of U.S. presidents. Both George H. W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush, were live models for the project—the elder Bush at the White House and Bush 43 at Adickes’s Houston studio.
college. “It’s a far cry from Mae Schow’s rooms in the old Estill Library Building,” he said.
Adickes encourages young art students just starting out to follow his example and work hard.
“Create. Create. Create,” he said. “Make sketches of new ideas. Keep the good ones; discard the others.”
Adickes hopes he will be seen as artist who left behind a plethora of art (paintings and sculptures) that will bring pleasure to thousands of people for centuries to come. In recognition of his distinguished career and life of service, CAM is pleased to honor David Adickes with the Legacy Award.
Knowing that his true calling was in art, Adickes turned his attention to learning as much as he could about the subject. He enrolled at the Kansas City Art Institute then traveled to Paris to study at the Atelier Fernand Leger for two years. After completing his studies, he returned to Texas where taught art for two years at the University of Texas Austin. He then traveled internationally while continuing to study art and painting. He eventually settled in the south of France where he divided his time between his home there and a home in Houston for many years.
He achieved a reputation as an established painter of musicians, figures and landscapes in the Houston area during the 1950s and ’60s. His desire to create continued to drive him, and Adickes became well known in the 1980s as a successful creator of monumental concrete sculptures. Some of his best known works, many of which are on display in Houston, include a statue of the Beatles on display at the 8th Wonder Brewery, his 36-foot-tall
Each of his pieces have special meaning for him, and he puts his heart into all of his works. Undeniably, though, his favorite creation is A Tribute to Courage, the 67-foottall statue of Sam Houston on Interstate 45 just south of Huntsville. Adickes designed and created the sculpture in 1994 to commemorate the bicentennial birthday of Sam Houston. “It is truly a landmark,” he said, “an icon.”
With a lifetime of accomplishments, Adickes has remained connected to his alma mater as demonstrated by his works that have been on display throughout campus and his appearances at various university events. Each day on the way to classes or to study in the Newton Gresham Library, Sam Houston State University students pass Adickes’s 20-foot-tall statue of Sam Houston standing in the central part of campus between the Lowman Student Center and the Smith-Hutson Business Building. The statue was donated in 2008 by fellow SHSU alumnus Ron Mafrige to honor both Adickes and Lt. Col. M.B. Etheredge and is a replica of the 67-foot statue on Interstate 45.
“Sam Houston State University is the school from which I graduated,” he said. “Not only is it the place where I received my education, it is where I made so many close friends.”
He has toured the university’s Hoyt Fine Arts Building the 71,500-square-foot building completed in 2019 that now houses the university’s visual arts program. He says there is no comparison with the new state-of-the-art building and the classrooms where he studied art while in
Materials obtained at the Newton Grisham Library, Sam Houston State University.
Photos by David Rios.
Paul and Joan Culp
For more than half a century, Paul and Joan Culp have been avid supporters of the arts at Sam Houston State University in a variety of meaningful ways.
Paul was a member of the university library staff for 38 years. He is probably best remembered for his time at SHSU as special collections librarian for the Thomason Room on the top floor of the library building where sculptures, paintings and rare books are protected, either because of their age or value.
“The Thomason Room is actually a small museum with display cases, rare items, paintings on the walls, and other Texas treasures,” he said.
Paul came to SHSU five years after the mid-century modern-style Newton Gresham Library was completed. Although the building had beautiful views looking out of its massive windows, the interior was bare and stark.
“The book collection wasn’t as large as it is now,” he said. “The books had been moved from the much smaller Estill Library to this huge four-story building. In fact the building was so empty that when weekend librarians had their duty, they could hear students roller skating on the fourth floor.”
Paul felt that placing art inside the building would make it more welcoming and give the building a warmer appeal.
“I have always been somewhat of an art appreciation buff, and I knew some members of the art faculty on campus,” he said. “During the ’70s and ’80s, the university had some of the most distinguished art faculty in the country including Charles Pebworth, who was the State of Texas Artist of the Year twice, and Harry Ahysen, also a State Artist of the Year.”
art collection in the future with a focus on works by Southeast Texas artists.
Paul also developed an appreciation for music as a young boy. “I grew up in Abilene where three church-affiliated colleges are located,” he said. “They all had music departments and they would bring musicians to their campuses to perform. The performances ranged from opera to symphony, and I would go to concerts, so I was exposed to serious music from an early age.”
Joan, too, was introduced to music at an early age. She grew up on a large farm in Australia where music was an important part of her family’s life. After she became an adult, she traveled internationally and spent time in Switzerland, India, Iran, and several countries in Asia, learning about different cultures and hearing beautiful and inspirational music native to those countries.
The Culps met in Sydney, where Paul was pursuing a graduate degree in library science at the University of New
Culp began by asking the art faculty to consider donating some of their works to the library, and they enthusiastically complied.
Among the works is a magnificent, colorful totem pole, created by Pebworth, which was placed in the library’s central stairwell. He also designed and created a stunning wood and metal sculpture (pictured right) located on the second floor.
Because of Paul’s vision, the library now has a collection of Texas art which will be the springboard for a large special
South Wales. They married and came to the United States a year later. They established their home in Huntsville with Paul working as a librarian at Sam Houston State and Joan working as a kindergarten teacher. She returned to school and earned a graduate degree in library science at SHSU, which led to a career as an elementary school librarian at Stewart Elementary.
Both are devoted supporters of the SHSU Friends of Music and have been for many years.
“We have always enjoyed attending concerts in the School of Music, and it has been especially rewarding to see how the level of performances has gotten better and better through the years,” Paul said. “The recruitment of talented students is truly remarkable, and it is notable that we now have several international students in the program who are being invited to perform all over the world.”
Because of the cultural advantages offered by Sam Houston State University, the Culps made the decision long ago to keep their permanent residence in Huntsville.
“I wouldn’t want to live in a town of any size that didn’t have university attractions,” Paul said. “SHSU is responsible for so many outstanding events. One could go to campus almost every night and enjoy a performance or program.”
Because of their long time involvement with education and literacy at the elementary and university levels, in addition to the impact they have made by supporting and promoting music and the arts at Sam Houston State University, CAM is pleased to honor Paul and Joan Culp with the Legacy Award.
Charles A. Pebworth, Untitled, Mahogany and metal, 1988. Installed at the Newton Gresham Library, Sam Houston State University.
Photo by David Rios.
The School of Music hosts a diverse range of summer camps for middle and high school musicians. Led by exceptional SHSU faculty and renowned performereducators from across the nation, these camps offer an inspiring, educational experience while giving them the chance to further their passion for music in a university environment.
The measure of a Life is its Service. ” “
Photo courtesy of Yasmine Banks
Photo courtesy of Jessica Reyes-Olinski
Photo courtesy of Tom Prior
BY NIFEMI BOLA
Two talented Sam Houston State University graphic design students are seeing their dreams come true. Parker Marley and Kira Wygle are making the exciting transition from students to professional design interns at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. These incredibly competitive internship programs receive thousands of applications from all over the world, but only a few individuals are awarded the opportunity to serve as Disney interns.
Marley graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and a minor in marketing in May 2024. He has always dreamed of working at Disney, having loved visiting the parks with his family for years. He praised Disney's level of detail with its parks, inspiring him to bring the same level of craftsmanship to his work. Marley's role as a Disney intern encompasses working with the Creative Services team to create social media graphics and other collateral for Cast Life events and other exciting aspects regarding the park.
"Working with such a collaborative team has allowed me to learn more about each role that our interns do and incorporate it into my projects, ultimately creating a better product for every project I do." -Parker
Wygle anticipates graduating in spring 2025 with a BFA in graphic design and a minor in marketing. She admires Disney's commitment to storytelling, creativity, and themed designs, which align seamlessly with her aspirations to work in graphic prop design and film production. Wygle's role encompasses collaborating with a team to craft signage and show graphics that enrich storytelling at Walt Disney World Resort.
Before taking on this prestigious opportunity at Disney, Marley and Wygle had the opportunity to refine their skills as graphic design interns for the SHSU College of Arts and Media Marketing and Communications team.
"My time as an intern has been the most influential work experience I've had so far," Marley said. "Working with such a collaborative team has allowed me to learn more about each role that our interns do and incorporate it into my projects, ultimately creating a better product for every project I do. Creating such a diverse set of projects has allowed me to boost my portfolio and show off my skills in different areas of design."
For Wygle, working on the CAM Marketing and Communications team was an enriching experience that offered real-world experiences beyond the classroom.
"I've contributed to cohesive design collateral, collaborated with peers, and enhanced my skills in illustration, layout, and typography. Working alongside such a supportive and creative team has instilled in me a deep appreciation for collaborative environments," Wygle said.
When it came time to choose a university to attend, both Marley and Wygle favored SHSU because of the small class sizes offered in the graphic design program. They believed the small class sizes would foster meaningful, one-on-one critiques with professors and peers, allowing their craft and creativity to develop further.
"SHSU's graphic design program has not only equipped me with industry-standard skills but has also encouraged creative exploration and pushed me beyond my comfort zone," Wygle said.
"My experience at SHSU prepared me by allowing me to be fully creative with the projects assigned for my classes. I had the opportunity to explore my own design style and ideas without many constraints, which led me to create some projects that I deeply care about and put my energy into," Marley said.
The SHSU BFA in graphic design program offers a wide range of classes, from art history to modern techniques in graphic design. Students have the opportunity to explore what aspect of graphic design best suits them and become well-versed in multiple areas.
Students at SHSU are thoroughly prepared for their careers, as the Department of Art has a meticulous process for nurturing its artists. After completing required art foundation courses, called the WASH program, students who wish to continue seeking a BFA degree in the Department of Art must pass the BFA Portfolio Review, which assesses their artistic skills and abilities. Additionally, students within the BFA in graphic design program must pass the Graphic Design Review, which examines whether a student's graphic design skills are ready to advance further in the program.
When selecting SHSU, Wygle was eager to impact the SHSU community, and Marley was sure SHSU would teach him much about graphic design.
"SHSU's graphic design program has not only equipped me with industrystandard skills but has also encouraged creative exploration and pushed me beyond my comfort zone."
-Kira
While at SHSU, Wygle and Marley were highly recognized for their creativity and talent. Marley received three awards during the 2024 Graphic Design Senior Exhibition for Best Logo, Best Motion Design, and Best in Show. He also won Best Tech at the National Student Show & Conference in Dallas in April 2024.
Wygle received numerous scholarships from the Department of Art, including the Distinguished Art Faculty scholarship. She also received merit awards for projects included in the 2024 National Student Show & Conference, was the president of the Student Art
Photo courtesy of Parker Marley
Photo courtesy of Kira Wygle
"Collaborating with my team to actualize the visions of student directors was a rewarding experience."
Association, and will graduate with Honors as a member of the SHSU Elliott T. Bowers Honors College.
Marley and Wygle also received recognition for their contributions as part of the CAM Marketing and Communications team to the fourth and fifth editions of CAM Magazine. This annual publication highlights the creative, active, and meaningful accomplishments of the students, faculty, and staff within CAM. The two editions won back-to-back American Marketing Association Houston Crystal awards in 2023 and 2024.
"Among all of the projects I have worked on as part of the Marketing and Communications team, working on CAM Magazine has been a particularly fulfilling experience," Wygle said. "This annual publication showcases the remarkable talents of students and staff within CAM, and contributing to the curation and design of the past two editions has been immensely gratifying."
Although Marley's time at SHSU has concluded, he is certain that SHSU prepared him well for the professional world.
"I wanted to learn as much as possible during my time here, and I definitely accomplished that goal," Marley said.
Wygle appreciates the extracurricular opportunities SHSU provides students with. Her favorite memory thus far is serving as the president of the Student Art Association.
"I admire this organization in its mission to foster community and provide opportunities for art students at SHSU," Wygle said. "Participating in events like the Annual Student Art Auction, where students and faculty showcase and sell their artwork, has been a highlight of my time. Being able to dedicate and grow my leadership to such a community has undoubtedly left a mark on my SHSU experience."
"I love crafting stories through my designs, where
Marley and Wygle's respective accomplishments in working for Disney testify to the university's commitment and ability to refine and shape students to be successful both during their educational pursuits and as alumni. CAM is proud of their achievements and looks forward to those yet to come from Marley and Wygle and the rest of its hard-working and talented students and alumni.
- Parker
What is your favorite memory of SHSU so far?
Behind the scenes of "CHEMISTRY" directed by Jack Fralick. The film was recognized at the 2024 Heatwave Media and Film Festival for best writing, best cinematography, and best picture. Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Sue and Jack Fralick.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF "CHEMISTRY"
BEARKAT SUCCESS
JUDITH CLEMENS-SMUCKER
DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION
RACHEL JIMENEZ & ROBERTO GAITAN
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
SETH OLINSKI
DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION
Photo courtesy of Jessica Reyes-Olinski
Photo courtesy of Judith Clemens-Smucker
Photo courtesy of Scott Plugge
Online Graduate Degree In MASS COMMUNICATION Blends Technology & Creativity
By Julia May & Stephen Langlais
The Department of Mass Communication has revamped an existing graduate program to cater to working professionals seeking career advancement in the rapidly expanding technology communications industry. The Master of Arts degree in emerging and social media, formerly known as the Master of Arts in digital media, now emphasizes the development of skills in producing highquality media content and creating effective social media communication strategies using the latest technologies.
The program is designed for flexibility, offering entirely online seven and a half week courses. You can complete the degree at your own pace in as little as one year or adjust the pace to fit your schedule. We interviewed the Department of Mass Communication faculty to understand how this innovative program equips students with the necessary skills to thrive in today's professional landscape.
athletes, teams, and events to further engage with fans. Individuals interested in economics can apply analytical skills to understand social media metrics and assess the economic impact of digital media strategies. Artists and designers can learn to reach wider audiences by showcasing their work through various media platforms and exploring new forms of interactive and multimedia art. Engineers can benefit from learning to communicate complex technical information through accessible and engaging digital content. Students of the social sciences can utilize social media for research, community engagement, and driving social change by effectively communicating their findings and advocacy efforts. This degree is relevant across all industries.
studies in emerging and social media equip students with production skills for digital media content, including video, audio, web and mobile applications, user interface/user experience design, and podcasts. This graduate program educates students on tactics, skills, and developments in the evolving field of social media. Working professionals will benefit greatly from this flexible program for career advancement and professional growth.
What are some of the courses students take TO EARN this degree?
The diverse course list allows students to pursue their specific areas of interest. Students begin with three required courses: emerging media technologies, social media, and emerging and social media campaign strategies.
In emerging media technologies, students study developing technologies in the field of digital media such as three-dimensional immersive video, virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to incorporate these technologies into various creative projects. Students also learn to assess the social and psychological implications of these rapidly evolving technologies and the ethical considerations they bring forth.
In the social media course, students explore the complexities of social media through theoretical and practical lenses. They develop skills using social media tools for effective communication, discover innovative uses for social media, and learn to develop and implement a strategic social media plan to reach wider audiences and increase engagement.
The final required course, emerging and social media campaign strategies, teaches students how to develop communication strategies by conceptualizing, designing, and creating digital messaging. Students will learn how to analyze and capitalize on trends, as well as proper planning and strategizing needed for effective
“ This program consists of professional online coursework designed to provide in-depth learning of essential marketing tools and platforms like social media, podcasting, video production, and writing. It has successfully prepared me for future employment or potentially establishing my own business. The instructors are knowledgeable in their respective fields and communicate well throughout the online classes. ”
Following these required courses, students have the opportunity to specialize in their areas of interest by choosing six electives from a wide range of courses. Those passionate about filmmaking may find an interest in courses like video for emerging and social media or digital editing. Web and mobile development and UX design and production are great classes for those wishing to learn more about web design. Those taking advanced writing can expand their knowledge of writing for emerging and social media platforms. Students may take any combination of electives they wish to master a specific expertise or develop a well-rounded skill set. Finally, students will complete their degree with a thesis project, showcasing what they have learned during the program.
What does the faculty look for in the emerging or social media thesis project required for graduation?
Students work on various degree projects tailored to their interests, such as YouTube channels, social media campaigns, podcasts, documentary videos, interactive websites, and more. There is no specific criterion used to evaluate these projects' success. Instead, students are encouraged to explore original ideas, implement cuttingedge tools, and demonstrate how their projects can impact the media field. Students collaborate closely with their thesis project committee, composed of three graduate faculty members, and progress based on the committee's guidance.
How will having a master’s degree in emerging and social media give an individual a competitive edge in the job market, either for a promotion or a new job?
The degree equips individuals with advanced skills highly sought after in a digital media-dominated market. Skills such as video production, social media creation, web content development, marketing, public relations, or corporate communications broaden career opportunities. This program prepares its graduates for leadership roles, given the curriculum's emphasis on strategic media planning and critical assessment of communication processes.
How are the classes in this degree different from traditional courses?
Our courses differentiate themselves from traditional education by leveraging traditional tools and tailoring them to the social media context. For example, unlike the conventional approach, our primary assessment of communication processes relies on the interactions and engagements of our target audience on social media platforms. This includes metrics such as clicks, likes, comments, shares, and others, which offer unique insights distinct from traditional assessment methods. Despite the degree program being solely online, students can expect hands-on projects such as creating short films, media campaigns, and audio projects, which are perfect for building a professional portfolio.
“ Thus far, audio for emerging and social media has been my favorite course. Audio engineering has been my unexpected love, and I would have never discovered how much I enjoy working with audio and using Adobe Audition without it. ”
- Mehreen Nasir BFA IN Graphic Design FROM UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB
- Paula Navarro
BFA IN TV & Film Production FROM SHSU
What is the advantage of this program being provided fully online as opposed to a traditional in-classroom experience?
This online degree provides maximum flexibility. The courses are only seven weeks long, allowing students to study at their own pace and access course materials from anywhere in the world. This online program is ideal for working professionals who want to balance education with other commitments.
Does a seven-week course offer enough time for in depth learning compared to taking a conventional course that lasts an entire semester?
Yes, the seven-week courses encourage focused study on each topic and prepare students for the fast-paced working environment in this profession. Students have the flexibility to create their own schedules and tailor their workload to fit their individual needs and commitments.
More questions about the program, application, courses, or other related topics?
Contact the Department of Mass Communication at 936.294.1341 or mcom@shsu.edu.
“As a young, growing video consultant professional, utilizing my existing skill set and incorporating the new skills learned within the program has allowed me to continue producing high-quality content for myself and other clients as a freelancer. The unique, online-only program enables me to have the flexibility needed to continue my studies while working. Courses like social media, audio for emerging and social media, and digital entrepreneurship have allowed me to continue to grow my professional portfolio while pursuing and earning my master's degree.”
-
Bocanegra
Antonio
II BA IN Communication Arts FROM University of the Incarnate Word
Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" is an absurdist comedy that follows two minor characters from Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Rosencrantz (Mayson Ferree) and Guildenstern (Paige Klase) contemplate existential questions such as what is free will? What dictates human identity? What is choice? What is the meaning of life? And ultimately what is reality?
TO OUR DONORS
A special Thank You to all of our Donors.
Because of the incredible generosity of our donors, the College of Arts and Media is able to provide exceptional opportunities that prepare and educate students for professional success and keep academic units within the College at the forefront of innovation through scholarships, an inspirational and talented faculty, and beautiful state-of-the-art facilities. The faculty, staff, and students are deeply grateful for the support we receive from our benefactors and the partnership we have with each of you.
