Communication Program

Communication Program

Why Study Communication at HPU?

(Video created by HPU undergraduate Communication students.)

MINORS IN COMMUNICATION

  • Communication Studies

  • Media Studies
  • Multimedia

  • Screenwriting
  • Speech Communication

Concurrent Program

  • MA Strategic Communication Concurrrent Program

The Department of Communication offers many clubs to students within specific fields.

  • Akamai Advertising
  • Debate Society
  • Lambda Phi Eta
  • Multimedia Cinematic Club
  • Polyglot Toastmasters
  • PRSSA

The HPU Communication Advisory Council (CAC) is an integrative forum where students, faculty and important professionals in our community discuss topics related to current Department of Communication programs. Many ideas from previous meetings have aided in the enhancement of the educational experience HPU provides.  Members of the Communication Advisory Council are hand-selected from Department of Communication faculty, students and representatives of Hawaii’s leading communication-related companies and organizations.

The CAC meets yearly to provide external program review of the Department of Communication’s course offerings, curriculum and design of majors.  Current communication industry members are listed below.

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Ms. Joan Bennet - President & CEO, Bennet Group

Mr. Rick Blangiardi - General Manager, Hawai'i News Now

Mr. Chuck Boller - Executive Director, Hawai'i International Film Festival

Mr. Kevin Bumgarner - Editor, Pacific Business News

Mr. Bob Charlet - Publisher, Pacific Business News

Mr. Chuck Cotton - Vice President & General Manager, Clear Channel Hawai'i

Mr. Jason Cutinella - Founder & CEO, Nella Media Group

Ms. Mary Fastenau - Partner/President-Digital, Anthology Group

Mr. John Fink - Vice President/General Manager, KFVE-TV

Ms. Marylou Foley – Director of Community Outreach, Waikiki Aquarium

Ms. Olena Heu – Owner, Olena Heu Communications

Mr. Stafford Kiguchi – Senior Vice President & Corporation Communications Manager, Bank of Hawai'i

Ms. Kristina Lockwood - President & General Manager, KHON-TV

Ms. Sherry Menor-McNamara - COO & Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i

Mr. William Meyer III - Attorney, Dwyer Schraff Meyer Grant & Green

Ms. Anne Murata - Director of Marketing & Busines Development, Pacific Aviation Museum

Ms. Barbra Pleadwell - Partner, Hastings & Pleadwell LLC, A Communication Company

Mr. J. Kenneth Sanders - Chairman, Co-founder, President, Ocean Network

Mr. Jim Simon - Managing Editor, Honolulu Civil Beat

Ms. Georja Skinner - Chief Officer, Creative Industries Division Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Most students who receive job offers in their field immediately after graduation do so from the company they interned for or from a contact made on that internship. The Department of Communication Internship program is one of the flagship areas of the department. In the Fall 2016 semester 95% of the students in COM 3950 reported receiving job offers at the conclusion of their internships.

Rather than relying solely on textbooks, students in the Communication Program apply what they learn in the classroom to actual problems faced by organizations and businesses.  Internships allow students to gain practical experience by working at an advertising or public relations agency, newspaper or television station or in the communication department of a business such as a hospital or hotel.  Many internships offer a stipend.

Communication interns work directly with Dr. John Hart, Professor of Communication.  Students complete a 200 hour internship as part of COM 3950: Communication Practicum. This course is required of all eligible majors in the Department.

Learn more

Free Friday Flicks is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs.  Films are screened at the Aloha Tower Marketplace Multipurpose Room on Friday evenings from 5:30 - 8:00 pm. The movie is open to all HPU students, faculty, and staff. Click on the Calendar link in the right column to view the dates and movies that will be shown.