Why You Should Be a Media and Communication Major

Arcadia is known for the strength of our health science programs. Though many majors are offered, Biology is clearly one of the most popular ones, and it’s probably what people think about when they think of Arcadia. And while it’s a perfectly fine major, I’d like to shed a light on the best department at Arcadia: Media and Communication.  

Media and Communication is such a diverse field, encompassing everything from journalism, to public relations, to filmmaking. And while science-based majors are touted for their career opportunities and salary expectations, media jobs are just as abundant and promising. Because of this diversity, majoring in Media and Communication or Global Media allows students to explore different disciplines that suit their interests, become more well-rounded, and have a better idea of what they want to do in the future. While my primary interests are writing and editing, I took Video Production here at Arcadia and was able to engage with a different type of media that I found I was really interested in. Throughout my time here, I’ll be taking courses related to journalism, literature, visual media, and more, all expanding my knowledge of the ever-changing and versatile craft. 

The media courses here not only expand my knowledge but allow me to connect with talented and passionate faculty. My professor and adviser, Michael Dwyer, has been an incredible part of my experience. When I first started at Arcadia, he instantly quelled my freshman-year jitters with his easygoing, witty attitude and wealth of knowledge and experience in media. Every lecture is exciting and new, and he recognizes students as intelligent adults, challenging and pushing us to deepen our understanding of media. With personal issues making class difficult to attend at times, I still managed to almost never miss a class mainly because of how much I enjoyed his.

Another faculty member who makes the Media and Communication department so special is Gralin Hughes, a talented artist crossing many media disciplines. The relaxed and easygoing nature of his Video Production class allowed my anxious self to open up and share my work with other like-minded students. Rather than feeling like a college student taking endless lecture notes, I felt like a real filmmaker: forging connections with my classmates by exchanging meaningful critique and discussion and engaging with Gralin as an equal. In these classes, I’ve been able to flex my creative muscles and work with faculty who truly value their connections with their students. 

I can’t brag about the Media and Communication department without bringing up my amazing peers. Arcadia is already a tight-knit community, but the Media and Communication department is even more so. The intimate nature of the classes allows me to truly get to know my classmates like I haven’t done in other classes, even in a virtual environment. In fact, I got along so well with my classmates from my virtual Journalism class that a handful of us decided to, much to our professor’s amusement, form a Dungeons and Dragons group that meets every Friday. 

I still talk with classmates from previous classes, too, sharing our work and critique. The kinship and comfort I feel are unlike anything else, and that, in addition to the variety of classes and the faculty, is what makes the department so special.