Communications

The face of communications is constantly changing. The Communications Program in the Shields School of Business embraces this change by integrating websites, blogs, social media and state-of-the-art technology into our program. Students who graduate from our Digital Media and Strategic Communications majors are prepared for the diverse landscape of today’s professional world.

Why study Comm at SFU?

Choose from two degree options: Digital Media or Strategic Communications (view curriculum).

Great career prospects: Our alumni have launched their own businesses, written for world-class newspapers and magazines, worked for major television and radio networks, and found success at highly regarded advertising and public relations firms.

Interactive student/instructor relationships with highly qualified faculty who possess diverse practical experiences.

Mentoring opportunities with faculty members dedicated to helping you succeed.

A state-of-the-art media lab and television studio for print and photo/video editing, design, and video productions.

Opportunities to join professional organizations and attend/present at regional and national conferences.
Communications Department Chair
Dr. Kelly Rhodes
p. 814.472.3379
KRhodes@francis.edu
Meet Our Faculty

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Majors & Minors

Curriculum

Career Opportunities

Majors & Minors

Majors:
Digital Media, B.A. - Plan of Study | Course Catalog Major Requirements
Digital Media, B.S. - Plan of Study | Course Catalog Major Requirements
Strategic Communications, B.S. - Course Catalog Major Requirements
Minor:
Communications, Minor - Course Catalog Major Requirements

Curriculum

Social Media Strategies introduces students to the strategic use of digital and social media platforms within the communications industry. This convergence course requires students to utilize various social media techniques to interact with audiences in the journalism and public relations fields.
Multi-platform Storytelling affords students the opportunity to develop communications messages across diverse media platforms. Students sharpen their writing and production skills in multiple media environments.
Sports Reporting introduces students to the fundamentals of sports journalism and athletic media relations. Students develop the skills and abilities to write multiple types of sports stories. They are also introduced to sports broadcasting and try their hand at this niche of the industry.
Web Design and Development arms our students with the skills required to design, create and maintain engaging, effective websites.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of our Communications program are prepared to find success in a wide array of media and communications fields. Graduates of our program have moved on to a variety of careers in the industry, including advertising, broadcasting, corporate communication, journalism and public relations. Saint Francis Communications majors interested in continuing their education following their undergraduate studies have advanced to graduate schools across the country.
Here are some of the career paths you may choose to pursue:
Advertising
Print Journalism
Photojournalism
Videography
Event Planning
Public Relations
TV/Radio/Internet
Media Relations
Magazines
Graphic Design
Desktop Publishing
Film Industry
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Alum Carson is the Vice President of Health and Wealth Administration at Alight Solutions Enterprise in Boston, a leading provider of human capital solutions.

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Enactus Club Hosts “Executive Round Table” at the Center for Community Action

The event was part of Enactus’ Uwork project, a student-led initiative designed to provide training and skills to high-risk job seekers in Central PA.

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Business Students Go Behind the Scenes in Washington D.C.

Alumnus Daron Denny led the business students on a two hour private evening tour of the US Capitol.

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Alex Kiepert: Building a Future in Finance

Alex Kiepert is a freshman double majoring in Accounting and Finance at the Shields School of Business.

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Kovatch Named as Finalist for Senior CLASS Award

Saint Francis senior guard Jess Kovatch has been named as a finalist for the 2018-19 Senior CLASS Award.

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Top Business Execs Attend Dr. Zan Lecture in Honor of Former Alum

Top investment managers from two leading financial service companies visited Saint Francis University to honor Mr. Terry Laughlin.

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Shields' Business Leaders Recognized on Top 100 List

Dr. Randy Frye and Nicole Bauman have been named to Pennsylvania Business Central's Top 100 People list.

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David Butler: From Soccer Star to International Sports Marketer

Saint Francis soccer alum David Butler ('12) always dreamed of a professional career in soccer but has used his SFU marketing background to secure the next best thing.

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SFU Named 2019 Sheetz Premier Tier School Partner

Saint Francis University has been named a 2019 Sheetz Premier Tier School Partner. It is the second consecutive year SFU has earned the achievement.

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CSOR Sponsors Veterans Event with Government Officials

The Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation (CSOR) sponsored the 26th Annual Veterans Community Initiative Holiday Appreciate Breakfast at Asiago’s Tuscan Italian Restaurant in Johnstown, PA.

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Accounting and Finance Grad Featured in New York Times

Lindsay Corner, a 2015 Accounting and Finance graduate, was recently highlighted in a New York Times article titled "Young Women Have to Play Catch-Up in Retirement Savings".

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Economics Professor Headed to Milwaukee Research Institute

Dr. Edward Timmons, professor of Economics and director of the Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation, will be joining the Badger Institute as a Visiting Fellow in 2019.

Marketing Students Work with Local Businesses

Students presented their findings to business owners at the Shields School of Business on December 11th.

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Business Students Partner with Johnstown's Vision 2025

“Our students have gained resume-building, real-word experience while contributing the Vision’s grassroots efforts to help revitalize a local area. Their work is a win for the both the partner and the students.”

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Communications Students Present Social Media Strategies to Chamber of Commerce

Communications majors presented Social Media Strategies for Non-profits at the Blair County Chamber of Commerce on Friday, December 7, 2018.

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Ali Evans: Seizing Every Business Opportunity

Ali Evans is a Finance and Accounting major at the Shields School of Business. She is graduating in December 2018.

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Executive-In-Residence: Andrew Maloney

Andrew graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in Management and minors in History and Political Science. He now works for a boutique hockey agency that represents players from Canada and Europe in the NHL, AHL and European leagues.

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MBA and MIS Programs Named Among Top in the Nation

The Shields School of Business MBA and Management Information Systems (MIS) programs have been recognized among the top in the nation by OnlineMBAPage.org.

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Students Speak at Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence

The group spoke to 19 junior and senior high school students participating in the year-long Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), a nationwide initiative that teaches young people how to start their own businesses.

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Business Students Compete in Philadelphia Federal Reserve Challenge

This was the ninth year that Saint Francis has participated in this prestigious event.

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CSOR Sponsors Seminar in Salt Lake City

Approximately 60 attendees participated in a two-day seminar co-sponsored by CSOR at the annual meeting of the State Policy Network in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Shields Students Talk Business at PNC Park

More than 30 Communications, Marketing, and Management students from the Shields School of Business traveled to Pittsburgh for a day-long Business Marketplace Excursion.

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University Mourns the Loss of Alumnus Terry Laughlin

Terry Laughlin was a 1977 Accounting graduate.

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Communications Dept Hosts High Schools for Journalism Competition

The Saint Francis University Communications department hosted high school students from State College, Tussey Mountain, and New Day Charter, for the Pennsylvania State Press Association student journalism competition.

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Over 30 Business Alumni Attend Mentorship Day

Over 200 Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Management, and other Business majors had the opportunity to meet with the accomplished alums, many of who were in their shoes just a few years ago.

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Shields Students Travel to CA for Enactus World Cup, Visit Google

Students from Shields School of Business traveled to San Jose, CA to attend the ENACTUS World Cup.

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Executive-in-Residence: Timothy Smith

While in Loretto, Mr. Smith met with classes, networked with students, and caught up with his former professors and mentors.

Gabrielle Garritson: Pilot in Training

There is major demand for new pilots. The industry will more than double in size over the next 20 years. Read about Gabby's reasons for becoming a pilot through the new Aviation program.

Read Gabby's Story

Knee CSOR Co-Hosts Licensing Conference in Chicago

The conference featured a distinguished group of panelists and presenters including a keynote from former Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner.

Accounting Student Wins Sigma Beta Delta Fellowship Award

Rebecca Kasun is the first Saint Francis University student ever selected for this prestigious academic award.

Comm Chair Wins Dissertation Award

Dr. Kelly Rhodes presented her study, Influencing Corporate Social Responsibility Decision Making in a Major League Baseball Team: A Case Study, as part of the conference.

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CSOR Featured on The Hill TV

The Hill TV sent film crews to The Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation to interview Dr. Edward Timmons about licensing and regulations.

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SFU's Roots Run Deep in Seattle

Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Roxana Cazan, along with some colleagues, truly valued meeting up with SFU alumnus, successful business leader, and generous benefactor, Mr. Bill Adamucci during a recent trip to Seattle, WA.

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James Morhard: How I Survived a Plane Crash

The Saint Francis University alumnus recalls the harrowing tale of his survival of the 2010 Alaskan plane crash that killed U.S. Senator Ted Stevens.

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CSOR Selected to Lead Department of Labor Regulation Project in PA

“We look forward to our continued partnership with CSOR as we work to ease overly burdensome requirements and make licenses more portable, especially for military spouses."

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Tiffany Farabaugh's MBA Led to Her Dream Career at Amazon

Tiffany Farabaugh’s incredible drive led her to a career at one of the largest retailers in the world.

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From Military to Executive: Tami Clark Proves it's Never Too Late to Get Your Degree

Tami Clark details what it's like to be an adult learner at Saint Francis, and how the experience changed her life.

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CSOR's Work with Governor Leads to Occupational Regulation Reforms

Saint Francis University’s Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation (CSOR) is pleased to announce that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has officially proposed reforms of several state job licensing boards.

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CSOR Director a Panelist at Prestigious Seminar, Pens Article

Dr. Timmons highlighted some anomalies with respect to occupational licensing laws in Texas.

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SFU Business Grads Open Meadows Ice Cream in NJ

Two Saint Francis University Shields School of Business Alums will open the 27th franchise location of the Meadows Original Frozen Custard.

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ENACTUS Team Receives Student Fellows Grant

The Shields School of Business Enactus Team is proud to announce the award of a $5000 BNY Mellon Enactus Student Fellows Project Grant.

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Backpack-to-Briefcase Partnership with Local Businesses Offers Real-World Experience

A unique partnership between local business and the Saint Francis University Shields School of Business is providing students opportunities to learn outside the classroom and engage in community outreach.

Inside the Program

CSOR Hosts Institute for Justice Director Dick Carpenter

CSOR hosted Dr. Dick Carpenter, Director of Strategic Research for the Institute for Justice. He discussed his new book, Bottleneckers: Gaming the Government for Power and Private Profit.

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Shields Professor-in-Residence Program Benefits Local High Schools

The SFU Professor in Residency Program is giving students at local Catholic high schools an opportunity to receive college credits, without leaving their classroom.

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CSOR Director Published by Harvard Business Review

Dr. Edward Timmons' article, entitled "More and More Jobs Today Require a License. That's Good For Some Workers, But Not Always For Consumers", highlights the effects of occupational licensing.

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Shields Business Programs Receive Unconditional Accreditation

The Shields School of Business eight business programs fully met the IACBE's nine principles of excellence in business education without notations of improvement being required.

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9th Annual Spring Poster Session

Graduate and undergraduate students from the Shields School of Business at Saint Francis University presented their research findings on April 16^th at the Dr. Albert Zanzuccki Endowed Chair 9th Annual Spring Poster Session. Students who have conducted research on a topic related to business, marketing analytics, human resources or economics were encouraged to submit their research.

School Of Business 9th Annual Spring Poster Session

Shields Grad Receives Top Air Force Honors

Nicole Neal is the Director of Operations for the Air Force Audit Agency at Andrews Air Force Base, MD.

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Mentorship Program Connects SFU's Past With Future

"One one of our strengths as a university—and especially within the Shields School of Business—is the incredible success of our alumni and their strong affinity for our school and programs.”

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The Knee Center Student Colloquium

On October 21st, CSOR collaborated with the Institute for Humane Studies' at George Mason University to host a colloquium focused on criminal justice reform. Professor Brian Meehan from Berry College facilitated the discussion entitled: "Reforming the System: Criminal Justice in the U.S."

CSOR Student Colloquim

Students Present at APEE in Hawaii

CSOR Fellows J.J. Hazenstab and Geoff Ford presented their academcis research at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Association for Private Enterprise Education in Lahaina, Hawaii.
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Alumni Spotlight: Featuring Geoff Ford

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Singing to her own tune

Sydney Petro loves to sing for special events, but upon her graduation in 2018, she has even bigger plans to become an event planner in Pittsburgh, using her marketing degree to help along the way.

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HR Game Changer

2002 Management grad Jason Hite was named a “2016 Game Changer" by Workforce Magazine.

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Back to school

The move-in dust has settled, and our students are getting down to business with the first week of classes already under their belts!

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Extra, Extra!

The Spring/Summer 2016 issue of the Saint Francis University Magazine has hit the shelves (and is in the mail)!

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Giving homeless a FareStart

What do Seattle's "most socially responsible crouton" and Saint Francis University have in common? Bill Adamucci (Economics '66), that's what.

Bill Adamucci Profile

Already reaching higher, striving to go far

Desmend, an incoming freshman in the petroleum and natural gas engineering program, is no stranger to Saint Francis University. Participating in the University’s Upward Bound Program, he was one of only 1,000 scholarship recipients, out of 53,000 applicants across the U.S.

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More than just numbers

For the past five decades Sam Ranaudo has been helping families plan for and enjoy their futures. As a chartered financial consultant, he takes pride in knowing that his advice has put generations of families through school; has prepared couples for retirement; and has provided for families in some of their most dismal times.

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Poland Bound: World Youth Day 2016

Matthew Fraley (Digital Media/Marketing major) has been selected to take part in the Knights Pilgrimage to Krakow and World Youth Day 2016. Congratulations!

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Eyeing the Goal: Pablo Medina

Pablo Medina came to Saint Francis University from Mexico City, Mexico to play Division I Soccer and now is on the cusp of leaving it as a young investment banker executive with Bank of America – Merrill Lynch.

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On a Mission

During her time at Saint Francis University, alumna Leah Kessler was heavily involved in clubs and activities. Now, she is spending time on mission trips, serving as a representative for Bausch + Lomb, where she currently works.

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Nationals, here we come.

The Saint Francis University chapter of ENACTUS is headed to the National Exposition after winning the title “Regional Champions” in the ENACTUS Regional Competition.

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Happy 10th anniversary, Spring Break in London!

Founded 10 years ago by Dr. Frye, Dean of the School of Business, the Spring Break trip to London celebrated its 10th anniversary. Over the 10 ten years, approximately 210 students have made memories and experienced life abroad in London.

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