Letter from the Chair

Greetings alumni! We are beginning this third year of the pandemic and my second year as department chair back on campus. It is a time of transition as we are still recovering from the adversity and loss of the past few years while appreciating being together in person again.

During the pandemic, I started a gratitude practice and I want to start this letter by expressing my deepest thanks to the faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who helped our students persevere during these challenging times.

We had a banner year of support with much needed scholarships awarded to our students from our Communications Department alumna Sheniece Smith, Dominguez Hills alumna Dominique Braud, friends Gil and Shirley Smith, the family of our late colleague Donn Silvis, and past Dominguez Hills president Dr. Willie Hagan. Our flagship professional development program Hollywood by the Horns garnered support from a Televisa Univision gift and a Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) grant. The HFPA awarded grants to the Film, Television, and Media and Journalism programs for student fellowships as well, making it possible for students to nurture their impactful storytelling.

I am also grateful to the alumni who shared their time and experience with or students at department events last year. Katherine Clements, Taylor Helmes, Carrie McClain, and Jessica Pedraja were featured on an illuminating alumni panel our virtual annual Student Awards ceremony. Alumni Josh Cooper and CeJay Anderson were fantastic guests on the Hollywood by the Horns panel, Entry Level: Securing (& Succeeding In) Your First Industry Job.

This issue of Compendium details our remarkable successes as we weathered another pandemic year, which includes the accreditation of the Journalism B.A. program from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, scholarships and accolades for our outstanding students, and our robust co-curricular programming and community events. You will also have a chance to meet our new faculty member, Dr. Larry Hygh Jr. who joined the Advertising and Public Relations B.A. program this Fall. Last but not least, this issue profiles Journalism alumni Katherine Clements and Taylor Helmes.

I close this letter grateful for the opportunity to connect with you, our wonderful alumni. We would love to hear from you! If you have something to share or would like to be featured in the next edition, please contact Compendium editor Dr. Brant Burkey at bburkey@csudh.edu. I look forward to welcoming you back to campus for collaborations and events in the coming year.

All my best,

Dr. Sharon Sharp Communications Department Chair