PREMIERE ISSUE

MAY 2011

SPEAKING
COM D e partm en tOF...
New s
THE DIGITAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION

FORTY AND FABULOUS A Note from the Department Chair

CSN began in 1971 as the Clark On behalf of the Department of
County Community College with Communication at the College of
an enrollment of approximately Southern Nevada, I would like to thank
400 students and a mission to you for reading the inaugural edition of
serve as an open-door institution our new digital newsletter. We are excited
where any high school graduate or to have you learning more about the many
adult willing to work hard could facets of our department and the programs
earn a post-secondary education. that we offer. In this edition, you will learn
more about our degree programs, who our
students and faculty are, and much more.
One of the more common questions
that comes up from students is “What can
I do with a degree in communication or
journalism /media studies?” The answer
The faculty members teaching
to that question is an easy one—the
within the Department of
opportunities are endless! I challenge you
Communication come from diverse
to open up any job recruitment website or
backgrounds and areas of expertise. Our
even the classified section of the local
professors and instructors have studied at
newspaper. You will find that in just about
Today, the College of Southern some of the top communication schools
every job posting, there will be a reference
Nevada offers more than 200 in the world with each of them bringing a
under the minimum qualifications that
degree and certificate options in unique and valued perspective to our
indicates that “excellent oral and written
more than 130 areas of study and field. They are engaged in research that
communication skills” are a must. Of
educates more than 43,600 helps move our discipline forward with
course it is easy to see why such a
students a semester or about many of them presenting their research
requirement is important to employers--
67,000 unique credit and non- at national and international conferences
they want people who can communicate
credit students each year. every year. Our faculty are also very
well!
service minded--you will find all of them
Just about every student at CSN takes
CSN continues to celebrate our active in both college and community
the Oral Communication course (AKA--
big 4-0 throughout 2011, with service.
Public Speaking). Students who chose to
media coverage and events like: I invite you to explore the rest of this
major in communication take classes in
newsletter as well as our website to learn
• Promotions during January areas like intercultural, group, and
even more about our programs and
and February with local radio interpersonal communication, rhetoric,
stations like Mix94.1, offerings. You can visit us at
argumentation & debate, film criticism,
98.5KLUC, and X107.5 www.csn.edu/communication. You can
communication theory, internships and
• 40 Prizes for 40 Days also follow us on Facebook at http://
even electronic media communication
promotion in March and April www.facebook.com/csn.dept.comm and
(learning how social media impacts the
• CSN Foundation’s Legacy of on Twitter at http://twitter.com/
communication process). Students who
Achievement Gala csn_dept_of_com
chose to major in journalism/media
celebrated four decades of
CSN on Saturday, April 30th at studies take classes in areas like mass
Best,
the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas communication, news reporting and
Check CSN’s website for info writing, television and radio production,
advertising, public relations, integrated
James McCoy
about upcoming events! Chair, Department of Communication
marketing communication and more. College of Southern Nevada
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 PREMIERE ISSUE
MAY 2011

 
WHAT’S IN
Department of Communication
THIS ISSUE?
Full-Time Faculty & Staff See what our faculty members
have been up to
Charleston Campus  (Click on name to email that Page 3 & 4
person.)  Meet our newest faculty
Cameron Basquiat, Professor members
Dr. Jennifer Basquiat, Professor Pages 5 & 6
Diana Clennan, Professor Meet our tutors and read
Kerry Ford, Professor  about the success of our
COM Lab
Angela M. Holland, Professor, Lead Faculty   
Page 7
Dr. Timothy James, Professor 
Check out all the amazing
Debra Johnson, Administrative Assistant II  things that our ASC students
Scott Ku, Instructor         have been doing
Dr. Luke LeFebvre, Instructor, Communication Labs Pages 8 & 9
Coordinator Read the latest news on our
Jodie Mandel, Professor Journalism program
Rick Marks, Professor, Internship Coordinator  Page 10
James McCoy, Professor, Department Chair Our alumni are busy too! See
Dr. Owen Pillion, Instructor, Sigma Chi Eta Advisor what they’re doing now; also
meet our department’s
Student of the Year
Page 11
Cheyenne Campus
Whether you’re a student,
Arnold Bell, Professor, Collegiate Review Advisor  instructor, or just a curious
Tom Cowan, Professor  bystander, you can learn
Steve Herro, Instructor, Cheyenne Campus COM Lab something new from our
GIFTS (Great Ideas for
Liaison Teaching Speech)!
Kevin Mitchell, Instructor
Page 12
Eric Moreau, Professor 
COM Faculty have fun at the
William Neff, Instructor  Orleans and donate their time
  to a Day of Service
  Page 13
Henderson Campus Spotlight on Sherri, our
Michele Fogg, Instructor, ASC Advisor Student Worker
April Hebert, Instructor, Henderson Campus COM Lab Page 14
Liaison

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 PREMIERE ISSUE
MAY 2011

FACULTY UPDATES

Cameron Basquiat Professor Basquiat presented “When Sin City Goes Back to School” at the November 2010 meeting of
the National Communication Association, where he also presented a competitively selected paper)
Anonymous Self-Disclosure: Exposing Secrets in a Postsecret.com World. In January 2011, he and
Professor James McCoy presented a paper, “Utilizing the 'Competent Speaker' form to evaluate student
efficacy in oral presentations” at the meeting of the Hawaiian International Conference on Education in
Honolulu, Hawaii. He served as a reviewer for NCA 2011 convention submissions for the Community
College and GIFTS (Great Ideas for Teaching Students) sections. Professor Basquiat has also written book
reviews for “DK Guide to Public Speaking” (2012) author Lisa A. Ford-Brown, and “Public Speaking:
The Evolving Art,” 2/e authors Stephanie Coopman and James Lull.
Professor Basquiat is on sabbatical for the spring 2011 semester. He is working on generating a new course
exploring gender communication and also generating several short videos (2-7 minutes each) to be used in
his online Interpersonal Communication (COM 102) courses. The videos’ content will focus on reviewing
key components from the chapters and exploring a current topic or issue related to a key theory/concept
discussed in the course.

April Hebert April participated on a panel at the November 2010 National Communication Association convention
entitled “No $$$, Fame, or Status Would Lure Me Away From Teaching at a Community College:
Explaining Our Unique Mission to COM MAs/PhDs.” In February 2011, she attended the Western
States Communication Association conference in Monterey, California, where she presented “Helping
Students Avoid Plagiarism in the Public Speaking Course” as a member of a GIFTS (Great Ideas For
Teaching Speech) panel. She currently serves as the Henderson campus liaison for the Communication
Lab. She will be chairing a WSCA panel in 2012 on technology and plagiarism.

Steve Herro Steve published “Exploring the Concept of Equality: A Rhetorical Critique of Rutherford B. Hayes’s
1877 Inaugural Address” in the 2010 edition of The Carolinas Communication Annual. He was also
competitively selected by the Critical and Cultural Studies Division to present “Understanding Reality
Television in the Context of the Financial Crisis of 2008: How HGTV Defends Neoliberal Logic” at the
National Communication Association national convention in San Francisco, November 2010.
Recently he was voted chair-elect of the Western States Communication Association’s (WSCA) Rhetoric
and Public Address (RPA) Interest Group. As chair-elect, Steve will organize a pre-conference for the
2012 WSCA convention in Albuquerque, NM. As chair in 2013, Steve will organize the RPA Interest
Group’s slate of research presentations and will preside over the group’s business meeting in Reno, NV.

Angela Holland During the fall 2010 semester, Professor Angela Holland was granted sabbatical. She worked on a project
conjoining the public speaking course with the women's studies course she also teaches for social sciences.
Her work entails bringing together the Gender, Race, and Class course, with the Public Speaking course,
creating a cohort for students to participate in both courses, simultaneously. These joined courses will
occur for the first time during fall 2011 semester. If successful, Professor Holland expects that this project
will continue into future semesters; and, that it may even expand to cohort development between
instructors in various disciplines.

Tim James Dr. James just finished chairing a search committee; he also serves on the Travel Committee, and is the
secretary for ATAC (Academic Technology Advisory Committee). He has been approved for a sabbatical
for fall 2011, and will be working on a public speaking book.

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MAY 2011

FACULTY UPDATES cont’d

Luke Lefebvre Dr. Lefebvre has a chapter entitled entitled “Course Management Systems: Creating Alternative Avenues
for Student Access to the Communication Center” in The Communication Center Movement in Higher
Education, to be published next year (2012). He received Top Paper recognition from the Basic Course
Division, as first author, for a manuscript entitled “The Relationship between Self-generated Corrective
Feedback and Speaking Performance” at the National Communication Association held in San Francisco
in November 2010. While there he also participated on a panel for the Basic Course Division at the
National Communication Association entitled “Bridging the Communication Laboratory, Basic Course,
and Beyond” and presented at the National Association of Communication Centers in Richmond,
Virginia on March 18, 2011, for a panel entitled “Centrifugal Forces: Pushing the Boundaries of Research
on Communication Centers.”

Jodie D. Mandel Professor Mandel, who earned tenure in 2010, attended and presented at the National Communication
Association annual conference (NCA) in San Francisco in the fall of 2010. The first panel was titled:
“Service Learning Integrated into the Classroom: Building New Bridges Between Students and the
Community.” The other panel was titled: “Building Bridges to the Community: Service Learning in the
Basic Communication Courses.” She also attended and presented at the Western States Communication
Association annual conference (WSCA) in Monterey, CA in the spring of 2011. She participated in the
panel “Going Hybrid with the Basic Course: Creating Communities for Learning, Innovation and
Assessment in the Public Speaking Course.” Additionally, she attended the Society for Media and Cinema
Studies (SMCS) annual convention in New Orleans, LA in the spring of 2011. She hosted and developed
the first annual Green Tech Festival at CSN.

James McCoy Professor McCoy presented at the 2010 National Communication Association Conference held in San
Francisco.  The title of his presentation was “Building Bridges During your Graduate Teaching
Experience: Teaching at the Community College Simultaneously to Completing your Graduate
Program.” He also presented at the HIC on Education in January of 2011.  The title of his presentation
was, “Utilizing the Competent Speaker Form to Evaluate Student Efficacy in Oral Presentations. In
addition, he was one of only fifteen communication professors invited to participate in a national
symposium on “current trends in the public speaking classroom” held in New York in January 2011. 

Bill Neff Professor Neff recently earned tenure and was appointed lead faculty for the coming year. He is
continuing his PhD studies at UNLV and has applied for official admission to the Public Affairs program
for fall 2011 semester.

Owen Pillion At the National Communication Association annual convention in San Francisco, November 2010, Dr.
Pillion served as the chair of the Religious Studies Pre-Conference Panel, and also served as a panel
member for “Building Bridges Through Engaged Ethnography:  Exploring ‘Fringe’ Religious Identities
Within Dominant US Culture.” Dr. Pillion also attended the American Popular Culture Association
National Conference in San Antonio, April 2011, serving as both panel chair and presenter of a paper
(co-authored with Eric Moreau): “Queer Affection and Prime Time Television:  A Critical Analysis of
‘Modern Family.’” He is also the recipient of two MLK Diversity Awards: one for Outstanding Faculty
Member; the other for Outstanding Organization (One Love)

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 PREMIERE ISSUE
MAY 2011

INTRODUCING OUR NEW

FACULTY MEMBERS
Scott Ku B.S. in business communication from Ferris State University (MI)
in 1990. He has 20 years of experience teaching communication
earned his B.A. at courses at colleges and universities in the Midwest, South, and
Macalester College, Southwest.
his M.A. at the
University of
Washington, and Kevin
completed additional
coursework at Mitchell
Arizona State has been teaching in
University.  His higher education for over
primary teaching interests are oral communication, 10 years. He has taught at
interpersonal communication, and intercultural communication; a number of institutions of
however, he has also taught business communication, higher learning across the
communication technology, introduction to communication, Southwest and Midwest.
nonverbal communication, and small group communication.  He He comes from a family of
also taught for Asian Pacific American Studies.  Previous higher educators and is very
education institutions that he taught at have included: Shoreline comfortable in the
Community College and the University of Washington in the classroom. Mr. Mitchell
state of Washington; and Phoenix College, Gateway Community has studied a broad range
College, and Arizona State University in the state of Arizona.  of topics including—
Prior to CSN, he taught English in Japan (in Sendai, Mutsu, rhetoric, interpersonal
Sakaide, and Kannonji) and Taiwan  (in Tainan) at the K-12 communication, intercultural communication and humor. He
level.  He also tutored Mandarin Chinese at the junior high currently teaches at the Cheyenne campus and at the High
school level in Minnesota.  His background also includes serving Desert State Prison. Recently he and his wife, Jennifer,
as an intern at Minnesota Public Radio and for the Japan welcomed their child Iris Grace into the Mitchell family.
American Society of Minnesota.  His interests at CSN include
serving on the Green Initiatives Committee and trying to
implement recycling on campus. In his spare time, he enjoys Luke
running, cycling, playing basketball, and playing ultimate
Frisbee.  He also enjoys travelling, and hopes to visit at least 50 LeFebvre
countries in his lifetime.  He’s currently at 26 countries! (Ph.D., Wayne State
University) is currently the
Steve Herro Coordinator of the
Cheyenne, Henderson,
comes to CSN from the Department and West Charleston
of Communication at Georgia State Communication Labs and
University, where he is currently a tenure track instructor for
Ph.D. candidate in Public the Department of
Communication. His dissertation, Communication at the
entitled “Fragile Foundations: College of Southern
Reassessing Makeover TV After the Nevada. His research
2008 Economic Collapse,” is in interests include classroom
progress. Steve earned an M.A. in communication and
speech communication from Eastern instructional processes, as well as the organizational and
New Mexico University in 1993 and a relational dynamics of communication centers.

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 PREMIERE ISSUE
MAY 2011

INTRODUCING OUR NEW

FACULTY MEMBERS
Michele Fogg April Hebert
Michele R. Fogg is a native of April is a true Vegas local; she
southern California who received graduated from Basic High School in
her bachelor’s degree from BYU Henderson, and was a student at
in communication studies. While CSN (when it was Clark County
an undergrad she interned with Community College). She took her
the American Cancer Society in COM 101 class on the Cheyenne
Washington, D.C. and later campus, and took one of her first
moved to New York City where acting classes from Bob Dunkerly
she worked in public relations for (who also teaches in our department)!
Fortis International (World Trade She earned her M.A. in
Center) and Revlon. She spent Communication Studies with an
several years working with the Los emphasis in communication theory
Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau in marketing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she taught the
communication and media relations. She got the bug to go into public speaking course for six years. She has worked in the
teaching while a corporate trainer for Pygmalion, a professional business world as a facilitator for Clark County Family and Youth
presentation skills training company. She returned to BYU to Services, a trainer for Viacom/Paramount, and a professional
attend grad school and received her master’s degree in mass singer/actor. But she has never strayed far from academia; she
communication. While in grad school she taught public speaking taught here at CSN as a part-time instructor from 2004-2009, at
and communication research methods while managing the Axia College Online, and as a temporary full-time instructor from
communication research lab. She was an editor for Burrelle’s 2009-2011. In addition to teaching Oral Communication, she has
Press Clippings and worked for the Journal of Mass Media Ethics. also taught Business Communication, Interpersonal
She researched media effects with an emphasis on marginalized Communication and Small Group Communication. She is very
character depictions. Michele then taught public speaking and happy to be the newest full-time tenure-track faculty member in
interpersonal communication at Utah Valley State College (now the department!
UVU) prior to teaching at CSN. She was awarded CSN’s
“President’s Outstanding Part-Time Faculty” award in 2008. She
has been a co-advisor to ASC since 2007 and now serves as the
advisor. She married her husband, Mike, 5 years ago and
together they have a son, Riley and daughter Madelyn both
under age 3, and share custody of Mike’s sons Easton, Collin and
Braden.

Owen Pillion
Owen Pillion joined the department in the Spring of 2010.  Prior to teaching at CSN, Dr.
Pillion taught Communication courses at the University of Missouri and California State
University, Stanislaus.  At CSN he teaches Oral Communication, Small Group,
Interpersonal, and Survey of Communication Studies.  Dr. Pillion is the faculty advisor for
two student organizations:  Sigma Chi Eta (The National Communication Honor Society)
and One Love (CSN’s first GLTBQ and Straight Student Alliance).  This semester the
college recognized Dr. Pillion and One Love as each received Martin Luther King Diversity
Awards.  In April, Dr. Pillion will present an original research project that he has co-
authored with Professor Eric Moreau at American Popular Culture Association’s National
Conference in San Antonio, Texas.  The research project is a critical analysis of the
popular television program “Modern Family.”  When Dr. Pillion is not at school, he likes to
travel, exercise, and partake in the original shows and events that come through our city. 
Also, he and his boyfriend love taking advantage of the Vegas culinary scene.

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MAY 2011

COM LAB NEWS

GETTING TO KNOW OUR TUTORS; STATE OF THE LABS

Monica extremely diverse and they all have THIS GOAL WAS EXCEEDED. 60%
different reasons why they are in college. of the face-to-face 101 classes toured the
Munoz Tutoring for Com 101 is all-around labs; additionally, online advisement was
Year in School: rewarding--when a student grasps a given to distance education, hybrid, and
First Year concept and the "light bulb goes off",  extension COM classes.
Communication here in the lab it is a gratifying
Lab Location:  experience for both myself (as a tutor) GOAL 2. Provide a minimum of 800
West Charleston and the student (tutee). student consultations during the semester.
# of semesters employed at the CL: THIS GOAL WAS SURPASSED.
One Allison During the fall of 2010, 1102 total
student consultations took place at
Favorite part about working at the
Communication Lab:
Clark the communication labs, 87% were
Year in students who had visited the
The satisfaction I feel when I tutor School:
someone and they understand the communication labs during course
Sophomore/ section tours.
material.  To know that with our little Junior
push as communication lab tutors, they
are doing better. Communication Lab Location: GOAL 3. Develop a systematic tracking
Cheyenne system for student consultations.
# of semesters employed at the CL:
Kalen D. One, going on two
THIS GOAL WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
The form is an interactive PDF used to
Patty Favorite part about working at the track and assess student consultations
Year in School: Communication Lab: Meeting new that take place at the communication
Freshman (1st people labs.
year)
Communication Raymond GOAL 4. Solicit and obtain student
Lab Location:
West Charleston Miranda feedback about their experiences using
Year in School: the communication labs.
# of semesters employed at the CL: Third (almost) THIS GOAL WAS ACHIEVED.
One Communication Following a consultation, students who
Favorite part about working at the Lab Location: used the communication labs during the
Communication Lab: Knowing that I fall 2010 semester were emailed a student
have helped my peers become better Henderson
# of semesters survey. The response rate was a very
leaders for the future is gratifying, but employed at the respectable five percent.
watching the actual process of them CL:One
succeeding in their class is the best part Favorite part about working at the Perhaps the greatest indicator of the
of what I do. communication lab’s success can be
Communication Lab: Being able to
build relationships with students, and see found in the comments given by students:
Kathrina them succeed in a subject that involves so
Dycaico many personal, emotional, and physical “My tutor was wonderful she was such a
Year in School: barriers.  There's no greater satisfaction great help that I did exceptionally well
First Year to see a student gain confidence in and was confident the night of my speech.
Communication themselves and change into a better I will be seeking her assistance with my
Lab Location: public speaker. next speech topic.”
West Charleston
# of semesters “My tutor was great. She was very
employed at the organized and efficient in helping me
CL: One structure my policy speech outline. Her
Favorite part about working at the STATE OF THE help was invaluable.”
Communication Lab: Helping the
students and sharing the skills I gained
COMMUNICATION “My overall experience with the
from my Communication 101 class. LABS Communication Lab was wonderful. My
tutor was extremely helpful, patient, and
accommodating. With his help, I was able
Cara Since 2005, the communication lab has
been an essential resource for students to achieve an “A” on my first two
Isikoff seeking assistance in all aspects of public speeches in COM 101. I will continue to
Year in School: speaking. use the COM LAB for the remainder of
Third year my semester in COM 101, as well
Communication Dr. Luke Lefebvre, who joined the as in the future classes. What a great
Lab Location: Department of Communication in 2010 resource!”
Cheyenne as the communication lab coordinator,
# of semesters identified four goals to accomplish during Congratulations to Dr. Lefebvre
employed at the CL: Three the FAll 2010 Semester:
Favorite part about working at the and all the wonderful tutors
Communication Lab: What I like best GOAL 1. Expose 50% of the
who make such a positive
about working at the Communication Lab Communication 101 course sections at difference in students’
is interacting with the students. At the each campus to the communication labs educational experiences here at
Cheyenne Campus the student's are via a course section tour. CSN!

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 PREMIERE ISSUE
MAY 2011

ASC UPDATE ASC

Degrees of Communication Seminar
This year’s 9th Annual Degrees of Communication Seminar was FACTS
another successful • Association of
seminar. Like in prior Students in
years the full day event Communication
was filled with created by Dr. Diane
Waryas in 2000
speakers, raffles and
free breakfast and • Previous advisors have
been Dr. Jennifer
lunch. Over 125 Basquiat, James
Students heard from McCoy, and Jodie
professionals in the Mandel
field of journalism and • ASC was selected
communication about “Club of the Year” for
career opportunities TV Panelists: Anchor Chris Saldana, 8 News Now the years 2005/2006,
and got advice from CBS, Jessica Moore and Jim Snyder anchors for My and 2007/2008.
some familiar faces. News3 NBC. • James McCoy was
The radio panel awarded “Club
included favorites DeAnn Sheehan, Ty Sante and Derrick “Big Dee” Advisor of the Year”
Carr. The TV panel included anchors Jim Snyder of MyNew3 NBC in ’05-‘06
and KCBS anchor, Chris Saldana. The communication panel • Maria Palapa Vargas
was awarded
included Kelly
“Student Leader of
Sheehan and Ron the Year” in 08-09
Kirsh. New to the
• ASC has sponsored
seminar were David the “Degrees of
Byerman, Secretary of Communication
the Senate, NV State Seminar” every year
Senate, Jessica Moore since its inception in
of MyNews3 NBC, 2000.
and Tom Moilanen, • The Road Trip to
Chris Saldana grabbed a plate and conversed with freelance journalist. Hollywood has been a
students during lunch. yearly event since
The keynote speaker,
BJ Fogg, joined us 2004.
from Stanford University where he earned a master’s and doctorate • ASC students have
received thousands in
degree in communication research and founded the Stanford
scholarships through
Persuasive Technology Lab. In 2008, Fortune Magazine named him the ASC partnership
one of their “10 New Gurus You Should Know.” Dr. Fogg shared with WIC and the
his unique model for behavior change based on his psychology of Electronic Media
persuasion and showed how to convert these insights into real-world Awards.
outcomes. Students conducted raffles to raise funds and managed • ASC has sponsored a
the event including introduction of speakers. Faculty from the food drive since 2004
communication department attended the event and provided onsite
advisement for majors at the Student Advising booth.

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 PREMIERE ISSUE
MAY 2011

...more news from ASC!

Fundraising Road Trip to Hollywood
ASC fundraising efforts have been more of a bonding The 2011 Hollywood Road Trip turned out to be
experience than a windfall. Last year’s attempts to fundraise at a successful trip, but got off to a rough start. At the
the Tech Expo resulted in the now infamous “Hot Dog Fiasco.” first stop in Barstow, one of the students had a
Selling hot dogs seemed like a sure bet until ASC found
seizure on the bus. An ambulance rushed the student
themselves up against the Culinary Club’s gourmet hot dog
booth. In the end they relied on their fine tuned persuasive skills to the hospital and the bus followed. Several hours
to sell enough to break even. Undaunted, students continued to later after intense interactions with the college, family
attempt to raise funds. and medical professionals, part-time instructor Jihan
Again, “Minute to Win Mansour, stayed behind. The bus full of shaken and
It” games seemed like somber students and advisors Michele Fogg and
a great idea to raise Barbara Reuben-Powell continued on in time for the
some funds at the Fall Sony Pictures Studio Tour, but missed the TV taping.
Fun Fest. An
Some desperate calls trying to salvage a true media
undesirable booth
location, light traffic experience resulted in the LA KNBC station inviting
and heavy winds students to come to the newsroom for the live 11:00
resulted in another
disappointment. At one
point, the heavy winds Student leaders take over
Applebees to serve pancakes for a
picked up the container road trip fundraiser.
holding the cash
donations. In one gust, all the efforts from the two previous
days went flying through the air and caused students, advisors
and other exhibitors chasing the flying money. Department
Chair, James McCoy,
who was in the
vicinity and others
found themselves
stomping on dollars
to keep them from pm newscast. After spending the day at Universal
flying away. Some Studios, the group went to the station and were
students would have treated like VIPs. Students were given access to the
packed up and called control room, walked around the studio and took
it a loss. However, pictures behind the anchor desk. The anchor advised
Advisors Michele Fogg and Barbara
Reuben-Powell and ASC leaders the students students while getting makeup on, the meteorologist
Gracie Vazquez and Dan Mack persevered and packed students into the room while he taped his
stayed until closing
segments on the green screen and the director
on both days even dressing up in Halloween Costumes to make
the most of their opportunity. Other attempts have been bake showed students how the cameras and the
sales and restaurant sponsorships. Students took over teleprompter worked. Students and advisors
Applebees to serve family and friends who purchased tickets watched the live broadcast from the studio and
for the all you can eat pancake breakfast. control room. Talk about making lemonade out of
lemons!
This year was another successful Canned Food Drive during the
2010 holiday season on all three campuses. Faculty members
from the Communication Department supported this yearly
service project by providing incentives for their students to
donate various nonperishable items. In particular, the faculty
members and students from the Cheyenne campus really took
the drive to heart and donated generously. The donation boxes
overflowed and ASC leaders couldn’t keep up with the several
requests to pack up the items for delivery to the Las Vegas
Rescue Mission. This year over 8,000 items were donated to
the mission.

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MAY 2011

JOURNALISM NEWS
The Journalism/Media Studies program has received significant
funding to improve and update equipment so students can be
trained on the latest equipment and technology. Under the
direction of Rick Marks, the program continues to keep students
and the department on the forefront.

CSN's Academic Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) provided

funding for the purchase of new on-air audio board, new CD
players and a computer software system for playback and
recording through the audio board. Also, old video editing
Joanna cues the talent; Brittany cues a CD
computers were converted for use in the radio booth for students
to type up and read radio news copy directly from the computers
instead of having to print out their copy on paper.

Professor Marks and Department Chair James McCoy received

almost $19,000 in a Perkins Grant for radio equipment. This grant
made it possible to purchase radio news gathering equipment
including digital portable recorders, microphones, a digital record
deck for in-studio radio production, a new production music library,
a headset system, and cabling. The portable digital recorders and
microphones will allow students to gather sound bites and conduct
interviews that can be edited and aired as part of radio news
broadcasts. All of the equipment will also allow students to Maritza runs the board while students
look on
podcast completed radio news packages. In addition,
Andrew McJimson, of CSN's Office of Technology Services,
donated rack equipment including shelving, drawers and panel
covers worth almost $1000.00. All of the funding and donations
allows students to be trained on radio production and news
techniques using modern radio equipment.

Finally, the program also received funding from ATAC for two Avid
Media Composer editing computers. These will be used to teach
our new JOUR 202 Media Production I course. The JOUR 202
course will be offer this fall for the first time and covers Electronic
News Gathering with editing. Basically, students will shoot, edit
Students type on computers in the talent booth
and create self-contained news packages, similar to what is seen
on local and national TV news programs.

New Class Offering--JOUR 202 Electronic Media Production I 3 (3,0,0,0)

Lecture and lab for the study of and training in studio and field video production,
basic post-production, and resource utilization across electronic platforms. For students
to be equipped to work in the electronic media industry, they must be prepared to
produce their own piece or news segment. This new class offered in Fall 2011, trains
students on Avid, the industry standard software and hardware for creation and editing
of video and audio pieces.

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MAY 2011

Alumni News
What are they doing with their COM degrees?
Since graduating from CSN in May, annual Adam and Eve Charity Love Fling Bachelor/Bachelorette
Monique Makhlouf has been Auction. Molly moved to the Muscular Dystrophy Association
attending UNLV full time as a (MDA) as fundraising coordinator in 2009 where she stayed for a
Communication Major concentrating short period of time before taking her current position as the
in rhetorical theory on a full community director for the March of Dimes. When Molly isn’t
scholarship from CSN. She earned working she enjoys spending time with her husband and their first
straight A’s last semester and has been child, Lexie who will be one in June. Molly is a diehard Disney
very active on campus as a UNLV fan, and can’t wait to take her daughter on her first trip to
ambassador for which she volunteers Disneyland.
her time to spread the word about the
pending budget cuts and helps the
community get involved in the Since graduating last May
political process. She was public and being awarded the
relations coordinator for Rebelation communication department’s
Media, the student-run public Outstanding Student of the
relations firm, but she put that commitment aside to assume the Year 2010, Noel Justin Lee
role of president for the Association of Students in Gomez transferred to the
Communication. She has been serving as Interim Secretary for University of California-
the International Association of Business Communicators and Merced. Noel has recently
was recently offered a permanent position on the board as been selected to participate in
Director of Education. After graduation in December of this year, the 2011 Latino Leadership
Monique hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Communication. Initiative (LLI) this summer
at the Center for Public
Leadership at Harvard
Since receiving the Regents’ University’s John F. Kennedy
Scholar Award in 2006 and School of Government, in
graduating with her A.A. in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Communication from the Noel is also one of three
department in the spring of CSN nominees for the 2011
2007, Molly Marks went on Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship which provide financial assistance to
to UNLV where she graduated community college students who are completing their bachelor’s
with her B.A. in degree. At UC-Merced, Noel continues to be active as a tutor, and
Communication Studies in the serving in elected positions as fundraising coordinator for the
spring of 2009. After interning Latino Associated Students de UC Merced and media/advertising
with New Vista Community, a coordinator for the Cinco de Mayo Celebration. He is also the
local non-profit, Molly was hired entertainment chairperson for the 2012 Western Regional
and was shortly promoted to LGBTQIA Conference, and was recently selected from a field of
event coordinator. During her 3 20 students to serve as orientation leader for new students. This
½ years with New Vista summer he will also participate in the UC Merced Summer
Community, the charity had Bridge Program serving as a mentor and tutor for at-risk
their most successful years with their Wine Walk Series and their freshman.

Congratulations to the Department of Communication Student of the Year--

Aimee Riley
"I am honored to announce that I was just elected to serve as the new President for ASCSN Student
Government!  I have a 4.0 GPA and was selected as 2011 Communications Student of the Year at
CSN.  I am also a single mother and a very active education advocate.  I am the Vice President of the
CSN Capitol Club, a nonpartisan organization focused on encouraging and empowering students to
participate in their democracy.  I serve as the Vice President of Sigma Chi Eta, the honors society for
Communications and Journalism majors.  I also actively participate in numerous organizations across
the valley and state. I pledge to serve all students in the coming year as our official representative and
voice.  Thank you for all of your support.  I could not have succeeded without everyone's help and
encouragement.”
--Aimee Riley

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MAY 2011

COM DEPARTMENT G.I.F.T.S.

(Great Ideas For Teaching Speech)
April Hebert, Instructor impromptu speeches by come up with a complete
showing YouTube or Facebook introduction and conclusion,
Anti- videos he has saved (e.g., piano which includes:
Plagiarism staircase, Japanese subway, • A creative “Wow! Factor”
sliding cars in Seattle). He likes attention getter--visuals are
“Three-Layer Facebook because it’s an easy encouraged
Cake” way to store his videos in the • Credibility (they can make
April has a unique way of same place, although YouTube this up for the exercise)
helping students understand also allows this if you have an • Selling the audience on the
that oral presentations have account with them. By doing topic/establishing
another “layer” of citation that this, students get a little relevance
is not needed breather, and some • A clear preview of the
in written entertainment, before they body
documents have to get up and answer the The conclusion must
like thesis question he has provided. Scott include a review of the main
papers. She says his students seem to enjoy points presented, and a “Wow!
tells her this! Factor” ending.
students to Then two representatives
imagine Owen Pillion, Instructor from each group are chosen as
presenters.  One does the intro,  
proper Intros and the other does the conclusion.  
citation as a
three-layer cake: the base layer Conclusions As a class we critique the
is the bibliography; the middle Dr. Pillion uses a great performance and how well the
layer represents the in-text small group exercise to help elements were executed.  
citations; the top layer is the students understand the The exercise shows
part that students often forget structure of introductions and students that crucial elements
(oral source citations during conclusions. He divides the of a presentation can be put
presentation). April has found class into 5 or 6 small groups together rather quickly, but
that putting this mental image and assigns each one a speech that critical decisions and
in her students’ minds tends to topic from the following list: thought must be given to each
reduce incremental plagiarism. •Child Obesity Epidemic element. I also use this to push
•Celebrity Obsession students to get as creative as
Scott Ku, Instructor •Cosmetic Surgery possible for the attention getter
•Fast Food and moment of closure.  Even
A Little •Steroid Use though only two students from
Entertainment •Child Beauty Pageants the group end up presenting,
Scott knows there is a point As a group, they must the others are the “think tank.”
when his students start brainstorm three main points This exercise usually takes
thinking, “What? More for the topic--they can go in an entire class period start to
speeches?” He mixes up his any direction. They must then finish.

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 PREMIERE ISSUE
MAY 2010

Strikes, Spares, and a Few Gutter Balls...

COM Department faculty indulged in a little friendly

competition at the Orleans Bowling Center on Friday,
April 8th. Thanks to Kerry Ford for organizing a
great outing!!!

DAY OF SERVICE--April 29, 2011

Department of Communication faculty and family members proudly show off

some of the items they and their students donated for troops in Afghanistan.

COM faculty spent the weeks leading up to the event soliciting donated items from their
students. On Saturday morning, everyone brought bags and boxes full of desperately needed
items for the troops in Afghanistan. Faculty, family members, and students spent the morning
separating and counting items such as earplugs, baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and
many other personal items. These were then boxed, labeled, and transported to the USO.

The Department would like to thank Professor Arnold Bell for organizing this event, and all
the students who donated items. Soon, soldiers in Afghanistan will be the grateful beneficiary
of this outpouring of generosity.

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 PREMIERE ISSUE
MAY 2011

SPOTLIGHT ON...
SHERRI, STUDENT WORKER
Tell us about your past do love the rewards I gain from wearing each hat every day. 
professional experience: Maybe I’ll just take a vacation first then conquer the world.
In my other life I am the What are your guilty pleasures?
President/CEO of Xtravaganza My guilty pleasures are reading mystery novels while eating
Upscale Event Planners.  We chocolate, and checking on my kid’s lives on Facebook (they made
started with a Business me make a page) and playing Farmville, I had to get the pink cow.
Networking Gala at the Bellagio
in 1998 that sold out.  Two weeks What do you do when you’re not at work or school?
later I was on a plane to Detroit  When I’m not at work or school I like to travel.  I hate the airport
to do my part to help plan the so I love to drive to California and hang out in Santa Monica or
“Chrysler Camp Jeep” annual the Valley with my friends in the entertainment industry.  I miss
event in Arrington, VA.  the beach.
Xtravaganza is a full service event
production house.  Meaning, we What surprises you most about working in the
take care of everything in terms of Communication office with DJ?
putting a lot of people in one place During my first introduction to CSN as a new student navigating
for a reason.  Xtravaganza handles venue negotiations, my way through grey areas of higher learning it was a little scary
entertainment, food & beverage, sponsorships, security, A/V tech and time consuming.  What struck me the most about being a
issues, licensing and research, budgeting and much more.  student worker was how focused everyone is when it comes to the
Everything a client would need for a successful event,  from A– Z, COM students ,in terms of their needs, whatever they may be,
that way they are free to do what they do.  I am also the Founder and students in general who wander in with a question.  Working
& Executive Producer of Women of Entertainment, Fashion, with DJ is a blast.  She is knowledgeable and steadfast in her focus
Music and Media, a networking group of industry insiders. on whatever project she is working on at the moment.  It’s got to
Tell us something about your family: be done and done right.  She is very thorough in regards to
department business.  We have great conversations on just about
I am the proud parent of six children and six grandchildren.  We everything.
are originally from Los Angeles, CA by way of Monterey, CA.  As
a military family we have moved seven times.  I have lived in Anything else you would like to share about yourself ?
Virginia, South Carolina, Monterey, CA, and Kitzingen As a returning student I had some trepidation about interactions
Germany.  Germany was fun,  the people, the language, cobble with my younger classmates.  I needn’t have felt that way.  I am
stone streets and castles, loved it. enjoying my time at CSN as both a student and student worker
What do you want to be when you grow up? which puts me in touch with source information for my major,
communication.  One of my rewards has been the invitation to
When I grow up I want to get some sleep.  Being a returning Phi Theta Kappa of which I am now a member.  That makes the
student trying to maintain a 4.0, a business owner in this sleepless nights and the “why did the professor do that” questions 
economy, a student worker and a mom is hard work.  However, I worth it.

Trivia Tidbits
Can you match the communication department faculty with their trivial tidbit?
A. Whose dog is named after a character in a popular short story by Herman Melville (Bartleby).
B. What professor is from the title-starved sports town Cleveland, Ohio?
C. Who lived in New York City and worked in the World Trade Center?
D. Which professor shares the same exact birthday as Bruce Willis?
E. Who has traveled to 26 different countries?
F. What professor worked as a bilingual Santa for one Christmas season in San Diego?
G. Which professor claims Judge Judy and Teen Mom as their guilty TV pleasures?
H. Who has never seen a Star Wars movie?
I. Which professor can eat an entire box of Kraft Mac & Cheese in under a minute?
J. Who painted themselves blue for a living for several years?
K. Which professor played William Hung in the movie Akelah and the Bee?

NEWSLETTER CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jodie Mandel, Professor


April Hebert, Instructor


Michele Fogg, Instructor
Cheyenne Campus C-151-A

Henderson Campus B-236


Henderson Campus C-201-C
Phone 651-5503



Phone 651-3028



Phone 651-3077
Fax 651-5890



Fax 651-3789



Fax 651-3070

Answers: A. Holland B. Marks C. Fogg D. Clennan E. Ku F. C. Basquait G. Ford H. Pillion I. Moreau J. Hebert K. McCoy

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