Janelle Leibold has only good things to say about her strategic communication emphasis.
She switched her major after reading a course list of strategic communication classes,
immediately realizing that she had found her degree path.
Now working in the College of Engineering, she receives credit and experience through the WSU Co-op program. This work experience has been so positive that she hopes to always work at a college of university.
Her favorite classes are Nonverbal Communication and Historical and Theoretical Analyses. Now a senior, her favorite project so far is in progress: she’s interviewing five students from China about their culture. “The whole process has been quite enjoyable and a great learning experience,” said Leibold.
One of her most memorable classroom experiences was in Comm 312. The students picked categories of speech delivery and had to act them out. “It was full of laughter and it showcased each student’s personality,” she said.
For four years, Leibold competed in regional and state competitions in front of audiences as a vocal soloist, but public speaking classes still terrified her. “Ironically, now I could not see myself in a any other major,” she explained. “I love being a communication major!”
She advises her fellow students to figure out what they’re good at and stick with
it. Her people skills have attributed to her success as a strategic communication
student. Her overall ability to communicate has exponentially improved because she
was able to pinpoint certain skills that needed fine-tuning.
Her favorite thing about the ESC is that the teachers care about students and actually
enjoy their jobs.
Leibold also appreciates the open and friendly atmosphere. “Specialized attention, coupled with top-notch teachers, makes the Elliott School among the elite in communication programs,” she bragged. “I am sure that I could not have gotten this quality of an education anywhere else.”