Communication Studies
Communication touches every aspect of our lives. Explore what binds us together as a society and defines you as an individual. As a communication studies major at Rollins, you’ll receive valuable, hands-on experience in research, leadership, and team building, capitalizing on opportunities to work with community partners and businesses to produce professional-quality materials that can go right on your resume.
Our graduates have abundant pathways to a variety of fields—health care, fashion, sports, law, social entrepreneurship, organizational leadership, and many others—making their mark in everything from human resources and branding to health policy and public campaign design. Majors begin their studies with courses focusing on broad topics such as relationship building, listening, and public speaking. As they progress in the major, students can pursue specialized skills in critical communication areas such as organizational communication and leadership, public relations, and health communication.
Why Study Communication Studies at Rollins
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Professional Experience
We help you discover valuable internships, develop award-winning campaigns, and graduate with the professional experience you need to confidently launch a productive career.
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Student-Faculty Collaboration
Our students regularly partner with faculty on advanced research projects that often lead to publication in scholarly journals and presentations at conferences across the globe.
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Community Connections
You’ll work closely with a range of partners in places as varied as nursing homes, playgrounds, and chambers of commerce.
Interested in Studying Communication at Rollins?
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“Rollins equipped me with the tools to think creatively, lead strategically, and communicate with impact—skills I apply daily in healthcare marketing to better patients’ lives.”
Rollins Communication Studies Careers
Rollins communication studies grads are making tomorrow happen at some of the world’s most innovative companies.
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Meredith Lax ’15 ’16MBA
Marketing Manager, AdventHealth
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Phillip Denizard ’16
Planning Manager, Fendi
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Julia Clancy ’15
Senior Producer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Lyndsey Lang ’14
Chief Strategy Officer, Stax
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Ann Marie Varga APR ’82 ’12MHR
Manager of Internal Communications, AdventHealth
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Deanna Loew ’17
CEO, Identity PR Orlando
Real World Experience
Hone the knowledge and skills you’re developing in the classroom through internships at local, national, and international organizations.
Apply By February 1
No app fee. No formal essay or test scores required. Automatic consideration for scholarships that range from $15,000 to $32,000. It’s never been easier or more rewarding to apply to Rollins. Don't wait: apply by February 1.
Start Your ApplicationPopular Courses
Our unique and innovative curriculum offers students an introduction to the field via required courses in topics, theories, and research methods central to communication.
COM 230 Listening
Investigate the art of listening and its importance in our personal and professional lives, and learn to analyze, assess, and improve your own listening abilities.
COM 240 Intercultural Communication
Examine the concepts, constructs, theories, and empirical research pertinent to communication within and between cultures, focusing primarily on contexts and relationships.
COM 321 Organizational Communication
Analyze the importance of communication in organizations such as corporations, not-for-profit institutions, government agencies, and other structures where people come together to work. Learn how to manage organizations with mindfulness, efficiency, and synergy.
COM 302 New Media and Public Relations
Delve into new media communication practices in public relations and gain hands-on experience developing techniques to produce the highest impact.
COM 325 Communication Campaigns
Investigate the planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of various educational, political, and commercial campaigns to exert social influence.
COM 355 Global Health Communication
Take a deep dive into important issues and key concepts of communication in global health, focusing on determinants of health, the burden of disease, health disparities, risk factors, and communication strategies.
A Day in the Life of a Rollins Communication Studies Major
“My Rollins and communication studies experience has taught me how to effectively communicate with people from different backgrounds. By embracing diversity I become a global citizen and responsible leader, which will ultimately help me better relate to people I work with in the future.”
Beyond the Classroom
Study Abroad From England and Australia to Italy and Hong Kong, Rollins offers communication majors an array of study-abroad experiences all over the globe. Earn credit toward your major while you explore the world and grow as a global citizen.
Community Engagement Form meaningful connections, give back to your community, consult on projects for local businesses, and learn how to make the world brighter—all while building a resume that makes you stand out from the crowd.
PR in Practice Meet and work with some of the brightest public relations professionals in the Orlando metro area, as well as a national network of practitioners.
Dive Into Communication Studies at Rollins
The Department of Communication develops curricula encouraging freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, and tolerance of dissent. Our core values promote ethical communication that enhances human worth and dignity by fostering fairness, responsibility, and respect for self and others.
What You Will LearnKeep Exploring
Take a deeper dive into communication studies at Rollins by meeting your future professors, seeing our grads in action, and sitting in on a class.
November 18, 2025
Frazier ’26 and Bourbeau ’27 Score Big in Forensics Team’s Debut Season
The Rollins Forensics Team continues its standout debut season at the Sunshine Series Part 2 Tournament, with Aidan Frazier ’26 and Gisele Bourbeau ’27 earning top honors in debate and interpretation events.
November 13, 2025
Rollins Forensics Team Excels at Queens College Tournament
The Rollins Forensics Team competed at the Queens College Alumni Forensics Tournament in New York City, earning top placements across events and marking a standout achievement for the College’s new program.
October 23, 2025
Teague ’23, Painter, Shideler, and KC ’13 Publish Collaborative Research in Marketing Journal
Connor Teague ’23, communication studies professor David Painter, and business professors John Shideler and Raghabendra KC ’13 have published their collaborative research in the Journal of Product & Brand Management.
Expert Faculty
Our mission is to produce well-rounded communicators who are capable of speaking and listening effectively, thinking critically, and writing clearly.
Department of Communication
Telephone:407.646.2337
Fax:
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Prince Adu Gyamfi, PhD
Assistant Professor of Communication
Research interests: Health, risk, and science
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Mattea Garcia, PhD
Associate Professor of Communication
Research interests: Professional identity, institutional work, and workplace incivility
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Joshua Hammonds, PhD
Department Chair, Associate Professor of Communication
Research interests: Interpersonal communication, privacy management and deception, and small group dynamics
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Hesham Mesbah, PhD
Professor of Communication
Research interests: News media, mass communication, public opinion, social openness, and perception of globalization
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David Painter, PhD
Associate Professor of Communication
Research interests: Organizational public relations, political communication, political campaigns, and social media engagement
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Sarah Parsloe, PhD
Associate Professor of Communication
Research interests: Health and disability identities, biosocial communities, advocacy and activism, and social media
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Keston Pierre, PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication
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Anne M. Stone, PhD
Professor of Communication
Research interests: Health and relationships
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Tanja Vierrether, PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication
Research interests: Narrative persuasion, social media engagement, political communication, attitude change, and psychological reactance
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Rachel Winter, PhD
Communication Studies Lecturer
Research interests: Non-traditional digital political participation, hashtag activism, meme culture, social platforms, and fan studies
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Ruonan Zhang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Communication
Research interests: Social media, influencer marketing, electronic word-of-mouth, digital learning technologies, and public relations
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Yi Zhu, PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication
Research interests: Stigma and communication, intercultural and cross-cultural communication, and health communication
