Communication & Media Studies

School of Arts & Humanities

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Faculty, Alumni and Student Spotlights: Please check out our News and Events page to see spotlights on our amazing faculty, alumni and current Coms students.

Internship Stories: Check out our new feature under "Internships" highlighting personal stories from COMS students and faculty on the value of internships.

Welcome to Communication and Media Studies at Sonoma State University!

We are excited to be planning for our spring semester. In addition to the return of more live courses, we are in the process of completing several technology additions and upgrades to our newly opened Media Innovation Lab. We’ll keep you updated!

Communication & Media Studies

Are you considering a career in media? Our department offers media-focused courses, experienced professors and a hands-on learning experience. Our classes cross over a diverse range of topics and skillsets which allow students to be knowledgeable in many aspects of the media industry.

What is Media Studies?

We provide our students with a robust curriculum that allows them to develop media skills in a variety of areas, including video production, writing for the media, public relations, broadcasting and digital media. Students have the opportunity to focus on specific skills or developing skills across the media spectrum.

Tricaster Studio

Media Studies also explores the history and impact of media on society as well as research theory and methods of media analysis. Our core curriculum is designed to make students smarter, more savvy media consumers as well as more thoughtful and ethical media practitioners.

Classroom Picture with Amy G

I loved COMS, especially SSU-TV (now Studio Blue). We wrote, shot and edited our own films...everything I do now in my professional career! I learned a lot with all the assets granted to us...Thanks COMS!

Avery Archie ('12) Promo Producer & Editor, Sinclair Broadcast Group

The COMS department gave me the opportunity to explore radio. If I didn’t take KSUN, I wouldn’t have interned at my current job. Now I get to help businesses in Sonoma County succeed through my creativity in a sixty-second commercial.

Jackie Gonzalez ('17) Account Executive, Wine Country Radio

As Press Secretary for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, I continue to employ the skills I learned at SSU and am grateful for the comprehensive, experiential education I received through the COMS Department.

Jenna Valle-Riestra ('18) Press Secretary, Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Coming into COMS was the life changing moment for me. I was lost in my first major at SSU and when I transitioned into Coms, on day one, I knew I had found my calling. It has been a wild ride ever since and I wouldn’t change it!

Patrick O'Neil ('12) Lead A/V Technician

When you want something bad enough, you work hard to put in what you want to get out of it. Being in COMS gave me that drive and opportunity to reach my fullest potential in my career.

Kimberly Kirsch ('17) Digital Content Specialist, Naked Wines USA

COMS connected me with so many students who were interested in film and television. Working on short films and other creative projects together gave me more confidence to pursue a career in entertainment after graduating.

Sean Tadlock ('16) Production Office Coordinator, Sony Pictures Animation

I had the opportunity to write for a newspaper and be a part of a PR firm because of the COMS Department. It not only helped my resume, but I loved that our classes prepared us for the real world instead of just memorizing things!

Anna Burke ('18) Account Leader, Sagent Marketing

COMS was easily the best community I could join...I was always engaged, challenged and excited for the classes and opportunities...I always had a fascination with digital media and COMS helped me land my dream job in the entertainment industry.

Reagan Dowd ('18) Marketing Coordinator, The Walt Disney Company

Being a part of the Communications Department allowed me the opportunity to expand my professional development, be a part of an elite network of Communication professionals, and open doors I never imagined.

Lauren Fernandes ('21) Account Coordinator, Hotwire Global

If you are driven or passionate about film, radio, PR or writing, COMS gives you the opportunity to succeed with all of its resources. The film studio was my favorite part and the place where I met most of my friends!

Samuel Houser ('18) Marketing & Creative Services, Quixote Studios

COMS introduced me to the vast and exciting world of communications. The supportive faculty and stimulating courses provided me with the critical thinking and interpersonal skills I needed to take the first step in my career journey.

Anoosha Chari ('20) Production Coordinator, ViacomCBS

My success as a director is due in large part to the foundational skills and values I learned as a former student of the COMS Department at SSU. I am grateful for the teachings and relationships during my time there.

Kevin Kinder ('14) Associate Director, Digital & Social Strategy @ GLOW

The Communications Department at SSU focuses on quality of work, rather than quantity, and I believe because of that, I was able to perfect my newfound skills that are now helping me begin my career in communications.

Rachel Gonzalez ('21) Marketing Coordinator/Agent Assistant, Bow N Arrow

The SSU COMS Department helped launch my career! Without the in-depth knowledge I received on the world of communications and media, I would not be where I am today.

Mackenzie Patefield ('21) Talent Coordinator, Studio 71

Being in COMS helped me pursue my passion for film and writing through journalism, which has led to careers in reporting, administration, and marketing. I discovered leadership qualities in myself I never knew were there.

Dylan Sirdofsky ('15) Digital Content Accessibility Specialist

The most valuable part of my Communication Studies degree was the foundational skills I still use in my job today—writing, marketing myself as a freelancer, and collaborating with important people in my industry are just a few examples!

Jessica Pereira ('18) Writer and Marketer, B2B SaaS brands

The value of this program really can’t be overstated. It was through the networking opportunities offered by COMS that I ended up at Marvel. The faculty and alumni are very passionate about student success and always willing to help.

Ryan Harvey ('20) Production Assistant, Marvel Studios

Being a Communications major happened to be the perfect opportunity for me to make local connections and start working in radio after graduation. COMS definitely helped me discover a passion of mine.

Christine von Raesfeld ('20), Sales Marketing Director, Amaturo Sonoma Media Group

The COMS department fostered creativity and gave me a chance to become a leader. I truly felt supported by my teachers who encouraged my personal growth and instilled confidence in me, making for an easy transition into graduate school.

Alison Carbiener ('13) Junior Editor, Mob Scene, a Film & TV Marketing Company

The COMS department prepared me for entering a new world of media, and how film and video could adapt in the ever-changing landscape of the internet. Managing the SSU TV (now Studio Blue) class gave me the experience of working with multiple teams, empowering others to meet their deadlines, and giving a creative and fun space to work within.

Jeremy Day ('11) Onboarding and Training Manager, Brandlive Inc.

The COMS department helped me realize how much my major can offer besides the typical assumption of working in TV. Throughout the various classes that were offered, to the various alumni I met, I knew I made a great choice in receiving a BA in Communication and Media Studies.

Tatiana Serrano ('19) Digital Media Associate

The COMS department, and the STAR, gave me real-world training and hands-on experience to prepare me for success in the professional world. The advisors, teachers, and staff associated with the COMS department truly want the best for their students, and I am very fortunate to have been a part of this program.

Brennan Craig ('20) Account Support Representative, MetaBIM

Careers, Fields & Industries

Where Do SSU COMS Alumni Work?

There are many career paths that a person with a Communication and Media Studies Major can choose. Below are some of the career paths that graduates from Sonoma State University with a major in Communication and Media Studies have followed. Use this as an ideas list, but certainly not all of the careers you might consider:

Print Journalism
Public Relations
Radio Broadcasting

Video Production
Feature Films
Web Design

Television News
Social Media
Web Content Management

Message from Department Chair

Ed Beebout head shot

Great things are happening in the Communication and Media Studies Department as we head into 2022!

First and foremost, our new Media Innovation Lab is fully up and running, thanks to both the support of the university and a generous donor (see story in “News and Events”). New video production lighting and equipment has been purchased and installed, and we’re currently upgrading our audio production capabilities. Two of our fantastic student media outlets, Primitivo PR and the Star newspaper have now moved into the lab, and we’re looking forward to having them back on campus in the spring.

In fact, most of our courses will be in-person, barring any unanticipated Covid developments. Part of what makes this department special is the sense of community we’ve developed with our students over the years. It will be nice to reconnect with everyone again outside of a Zoom grid!

We’re also launching our first-ever alumni newsletter during the spring semester. If you’re an alumnus or know someone who is, please contact our administrative analyst, Shelly Stephens, so we can reach as many alumni as possible and find out what everyone’s been doing.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe 2022!

Ed Beebout, Chair

News & Events

Major Donation Helps Bring New Media Innovation Lab To Life

December 22, 2021

Talena Sanders' Film The Coronation to be screened at the MOMA in NYC

October 20, 2021

A Capitol Career: Former Coms Student Has a Bird’s Eye View of Political History In The Making

September 30, 2021

Spotlight

V E I L E D- 2021 Frightsprint submission

Student's Spooky Thriller Scores Big at Film Competition

A Coms student has made an impressive showing at an international short film competition.

Dottie Aschwanden's film, "Veiled", won both the filmmakers and audience award for "Best Cinematography" at the 2021 Fright Sprint Competition. The annual Halloween-themed competition featured entries from both amateur and professional filmmakers. Aschwanden's supernatural thriller also picked up the audience award for second best film of the competition, and the judge's award for third best film. Aschwanden's team was the youngest in the competition. Congratulations, Dottie!