Compendium Magazine

Communications alum Da' Ron Frost (C/O 2017) covers the 2018 Super Bowl LII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. This was his second year in a row reporting on a Super Bowl game for Pro Player Insiders. Frost is interviewing former New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (now with the Tennessee Titans). "It was a dream come true," Frost said. "I would have never imagined to cover a Super Bowl so early in my career, let alone two. It just makes me

In the past year, Professor Lisa Mastramico has brought a new focus on giving students the tools they need to thrive as aspiring media professionals. In 2017, Mastramico joined the Communications faculty to teach the COM 106 Digital Toolkit course and stepped into the role of COM 496 internship coordinator. While she technically serves as the internship coordinator for the College of Arts & Humanities (CAH), she has focused most of her attention and effort on the Communicatio

Graduating Communications majors have for years had to successfully complete the challenge of the COM 490 Senior Seminar course to graduate, which entailed conducting a semester-long research study and writing a 30-page thesis paper. However, in spring 2018, the Communications Department re-named and re-structured the COM 490 course so that it is now the Senior Project course, where graduating seniors instead developed their own digital portfolios. While conducting a Communic

Former Communications alum Stephen Janes came back to his alma mater hoping to make a difference by doing what he knows best. As the coordinator of the university radio station, KDHR, Janes now uses his personal and broadcasting experience as a reference to guide his student staff, encouraging them be bold and courageous enough to take the leap toward their futures. Getting his foot in the door early, Janes hosted his own radio show his junior year at CSUDH, which was his fir

Dr. Nancy Cheever, professor and chair of the Communications Department, was the recipient of the 2018 Presidential Outstanding Professor Award in recognition of her demonstrated teaching, advising, research, service, and leadership on campus. She received the prestigious award at this year's Faculty Awards Reception in March. While receiving her award, Dr. Cheever was quick to acknowledge the importance of teamwork and support of the students, faculty, and staff that were at

CSUDH Communications alumna Adrianne Valencia has finally found her groove as a dance choreographer back here at her alma mater. But it was not without a few extra steps and miscues along the way. Looking back as a 19-year-old living in the Bay Area, Valencia recalls only having vague dreams of getting a college degree and establishing a career as an artist. However, it did not take long for her to decide being an art/animation major at San Jose State University was not as fu

During the Spring 2018 semester, three professionals from the video game industry gathered at CSUDH to share their expertise with a group of eager students as part of a Deconstructing the Entertainment Industry panel focused on digital games. Hollywood by the Horns sponsored the event, which brought together three gaming industry professionals to discuss their responsibilities and some of the issues facing the video game industry and its workers today. The panel included prod

Franklin My name is Patricia Franklin and I am a graduating senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills. I am receiving my bachelor of arts in Communications with a focus in Journalism this May and plan to further my education with a Master’s in Public Administration. Although I am headed to the next chapter in my life, I take pride in being a Toro and appreciate all of the wisdom, guidance and support I have received from the Communications Department. I began my

"If you are creative in any way, literally you can be a part of any major or if you just want a place to hang out, I would definitely say join the One Club," said the club's vice president Lauren Ordaz. The One Club is a new professional organization focused on advertising, marketing and a variety of creative industries. The CSUDH chapter of the national professional organization originated Spring 2017 by students Crystal Hernandez, president, and Ordaz. Being involved in the

Greetings alumni! This is our second edition of Compendium, the CSUDH Communications Department's alumni magazine. It is our ongoing commitment to connect with you, to keep you informed about student and alumni successes, new programs and faculty accomplishments, and to celebrate your achievements and activities post-graduation. First, let me share some exciting news about our curriculum. The Chancellor's Office has approved our new degree programs and we are ready to share t

On May 2, 2018, the Society of Independent Student Journalists (SISJ) club held an event in Loker Student Union Ballroom B to recognize World Press Freedom Day. The purpose of the event was to highlight the importance of maintaining press freedoms, especially in light of journalism's role in holding institutions of power accountable during the current socio-political climate, increasing violence and vitriol toward journalists, and era of "fake news." The event featured a pane

Communications alumna Kalie Calder has left an indelible mark on the department and the university. Through her own initiative and hard work, Calder launched The Bulletin TV last fall as the broadcast component to the school newspaper for students interested in television news production. Calder felt it was important for the campus and Communications students to have a broadcast channel for news on campus, not just for students to learn this type of journalism, but also becau