Dear Friends of UW Communication,
As is likely the case for many of us who work, learn, and teach at the University of Washington, Spring is my favorite time of year on this beautiful campus. The cherry blossoms have had their dazzling moment in the spotlight, and the campus is now lush and green with new growth. This spring, the Department of Communication was buzzing with activity as we prepared to honor our remarkable students at our annual Excellence and Scholarships awards ceremony and to celebrate our nearly 400 graduates in the Alaska Airlines Arena (Hec Ed.) These annual cycles–cherry blossoms, graduations–are welcome reminders that our work here in Communication, UW, and higher education more broadly, matters.
Focusing on our shared purpose is more important than ever, as our state faces serious budget challenges and as UW, like other higher ed institutions, must respond to changes in federal policies and funding commitments. Amidst great uncertainties for higher ed, my colleagues and I are deepening our commitment to offering a transformative education for our students and to producing cutting-edge research on issues that concern us all, such as the relationship between journalism and democracy, how to create inclusive, fair communication systems, and fostering critical skills for the shared task of addressing disinformation, climate change, and political polarization. Above all, we continue to foreground, through our collective work, the power of ethical communication in promoting media literacy, healthy relationships, global perspectives, and robust democracies.
This issue is filled with stories about the ways our community is honoring our values in the classroom and beyond. You’ll read about how Professor Adrienne Russell and our colleagues in the Center for Journalism, Media and Democracy have created a thriving hub for exploring the ways legacy and social media systems shape political discourse. We’ll showcase the work of Teaching Professor Matt McGarrity, director of the Center for Speech and Debate, a venue for students and the public to develop practical skills–advocacy, debate, and deliberation–that are key to professional success and civic self-governance. We’ll celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity which, for the past decade, has engaged students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members in challenging, yet rewarding conversations about race, justice, and how to build a more inclusive society. And, we’ll recognize the incredible mentorship of Professor LeiLani Nishime, who one student describes as “a cultivator of possibility.” These stories each invite you to learn a bit more about UW Communication and our contributions to urgent conversations unfolding across the United States and the world.
Communication shares an etymological connection to “community”–both are rooted in the Latin word for “sharing,” or “to make common” as in a “common good.” However this little dispatch has made its way to you, I am grateful to be in community with each of you, who make up this sprawling network of UW Communication alumni, colleagues, and friends, that is now tens of thousands strong. I hope you will check out the COMMunity Connections section, which features a number of ways you can stay connected with us and each other. There, you’ll learn about a new homebase for alumni on our website, how to connect with other alums on LinkedIn, and how to share your skills and knowledge with our students by partnering with us in their professional development. Finally, our NewsBites section offers examples of the research and programming we offer, if you’d like to dig deeper into what we do. UW Communication strives to be a common good, a valuable resource that supports and is supported by the communities we serve. We’re very glad you’re a part of it.
Keep an eye out for our Summer newsletter, including our year-in-review video and profiles of two cherished colleagues retiring this spring—Professors Valerie Manusov and Kirsten Foot, who will join the ranks of our emeritus faculty.
We invite you to stay connected with us in whatever ways are right for you. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have thoughts about how to enhance opportunities for engaging with us.
Sincerely,
Christine Harold
Professor and Chair