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!

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022

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.

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.

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

Graduation is a time of endings and new beginnings.

Students from the class of 2022 are saying farewell to their college days (an experience disrupted by a global pandemic) and starting new and often uncertain pathways into the future. But if there’s one thing Covid has taught all of us, it’s to also appreciate the here and now, and the relationships we have built. At our annual “senior send-off”, there was much emotion in the room as everyone reflected on what we’ve all been through together.

We’ve been busy as well meeting with many of the new students joining our program in the fall. There will be an exciting offering of courses and hands-on experiences awaiting them. We’re also hopeful our proposal for a second BA degree program in Cinematic Arts and Technology will be approved by year’s end.

Meanwhile, I’m experiencing my own transition. This fall I step down as chair of Communication and Media Studies to begin a new role as interim dean of The School of Arts and Humanities. Not unlike some of our grads, I find this new chapter both daunting and exciting.

I want to wish all of you a fantastic summer and am looking forward to seeing you again in the fall!

Ed Beebout, Chair

News & Events

Gina Baleria Moderated the 2nd District Candidate Forum

May 5, 2022

Dr. Elizabeth Burch will be presenting at the World Journalism Education Congress

April 4, 2022

Major Donation Helps Bring New Media Innovation Lab To Life

December 22, 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!