The communication degree prepares students for work in areas that require excellent written, interpersonal, organizational, oral, and media production skills. Students who graduate with this degree can expect to work in media industries, businesses, non-profit organizations, and ministries both locally and globally.
Majors > Communication
Digital Journalism
Public Relations
Media Production
Media Communication
Student Media
Speech and Debate
Careers
Public relations prepares students for careers in public relations, integrated marketing communication, technical writing, and corporate communication. Courses and practicums with this emphasis include Public Relations Writing and Technology; Public Relations Planning; Social Movements; and Public Speaking.
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Media production expands students' production skills and industry knowledge across radio, print, video and audio, news, and online platforms of communication. Courses and practicums with this emphasis include Independent Video Production; News Writing and Reporting; Media Production Perfect Practices; Video and Audio Production; and Media Production.
Media communication teaches students how to become excellent communicators across all communication platforms. Courses and practicums that focus on media communication include Political Communication; Speech and Debate; Public Speaking; Journalism; Sports and News Broadcasting, and News Writing and Reporting.
Digital journalism and civic engagement prepares students for careers in newspapers, magazines, sports, and broadcast as well as online writing, reporting, and editing. Courses and practicums within this emphasis include Social Movements; Faith, Media, and Calling; Masterpieces of Film; and Online News Bureau.
Hear what our professors and students say about the JBU communications program
Write for the award-winning student newspaper, The Threefold Advocate, in the newly remodeled newsroom. The bi-weekly publication develops students in writing, reporting, editing, photography, design, and more.
Work at JBU's professional radio station, KLRC. Located in downtown Siloam Springs students have easy access to the facility and programs. The station broadcasts with an impressive 100,000 watt signal to multiple states.
Be a DJ for KLRC's online station Real FM. Real FM plays a mixture of Christian and secular music, giving a message of hope without glossing over the dark and difficult stuff in the world.
Work closely with JBU athletics to broadcast and commentate at home games. You can help run the video of the games by capturing key moments of soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Additionally, each season brings opportunities to commentate the games.
Join the Pi Kappa Delta speech and debate team and compete against other schools to build public speaking and persuasive skills.
The Nesher is JBU's yearbook and has been a part of our university since 1926. Operating under the name Nesher since 1982, the yearbook highlights the academic year through a beautiful display of photography, print, and graphic design.
Shelby spends 40+ hours a week a 40/29 News in Rogers, Arkansas working as an editor and a producer. She works on live news broadcasts behind-the-scenes and is part of the team that builds the show from scratch. This includes researching the latest content that viewers will care about, writing the scripts that the anchors read on-air, and editing the video that keeps you captivated while watching the news from your couch. Shelby said, "JBU’s Communication Department, namely Dr. Marquita Smith, prepared me for the intense workload, non-negotiable deadlines and journalistic integrity required in the newsroom."
Matt Dye knows all about the need to communicate well both in and out of the classroom. “My speech and debate class taught me skills that I use in my current job,” Matt said. “People want to hire individuals who can quickly outline what they want to say, articulate well, influence others and think on their feet. If you learn how to speak well, people will listen." What stands out to Matt about JBU’s communication major? “I love how versatile each of the classes are,” he said. “Learning to use different forms of media gives you an advantage."
Assistant Professor of Communication
Chair, Division of Communication and Fine ArtsAssociate Professor of JournalismCoordinator of Diversity Relations
Dr. Marquita Smith joined the faculty of John Brown University in 2010. Before joining the institution, she was the city editor for The Virginian-Pilot in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She joined The Pilot as the local government editor in 2001. During that time, she also taught part-time at Hampton University and Norfolk State University.
In 2008, Dr. Smith took leave from The Pilot to complete a Knight International Journalism Fellowship in Liberia. During her year in West Africa, she created a judicial and justice reporting network to help journalists develop the skills needed to cover the post-war nation's poverty reduction efforts. Ghanaians elected a new president in 2008, and Dr. Smith was instrumental in creating several training models used by reporters and editors charged with covering the event.
Beyond her teaching responsibilities in the communication department, Dr. Smith serves as Chair for the Division of Communications and Fine Arts. She oversees JBU’s bi-weekly newspaper, The Threefold Advocate, and the institution’s yearbook, the Nesher. She also chairs the university’s diversity committee and works tirelessly to promote diversity efforts both locally and globally.
Dr. Smith is a Tennessee native and enjoys being close to her family now that she is in Arkansas. She is committed to her students, her coworkers, and the institutional goals of JBU.
Communication Department2000 W. University StreetSiloam Springs, AR 72761
Marquita Smith, Ed.D
Chair, Division of Communications & Fine ArtsAssociate Professor of JournalismCoordinator of Diversity Relationsmsmith@jbu.edu479-524-7290
Amanda Cunningham
Administrative Assistant, Division of Communications & Fine Artsacunningham@jbu.edu479-524-7179
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