Departmnet of Communication

Alumni
NEWS
February 21st, 2018

Join us for the First AnnualAlumni Reception

April 14th, 2018: Moss Art Center

RSVP to comm@vt.edu
The HOKIE HASH

INTRODUCING the all new Sports and Media

Analytics program piloted by Hokie legend Bill
Roth... see page 2.

Who said you can’t be insta famous and teach
at an accredited university? Find out how you
can do both too! ... see page 2.

What do students now value about the Comm

Department? Hear a testimony from junior
Allison Krisko...see page 3.

Calling all travelers! Virginia Tech’s Communication

Department is beginning to accept applications
for their Summer 2018 program. Find out what
Switzerland has to offer and how you can
help...see page 3

Ever wonder what your peers are up to now?
Check out page 4 for our newest edition of
our Alumni Spotlight.

What is NEW?
Virginia Tech leads the pack and is going for the gold in Sports Media education

Bill Roth began his sports casting journey 30 years

ago in the press box of Lane Stadium where he would
become one of the most notable announcers in the
sports industry. Roth always had a love for sports,
which grew even more when he was accepted into the
sports journalism program at Syracuse University.

“Students are so passionate, and sports is something

that has been loved for generations. In order to love
the game, we have to teach people how to understand
and analyze the game and it is my mission for Virginia
Tech to be at the forefront of the field.” Roth said.

After retiring from the press box, Roth found a new

job in L.A. A few months later, he realized a part of
him was missing, a part that could only be found in
Blacksburg. “When people in the Communication De-
partment found out that I was coming back east, they
approached me and asked if I would help them start a
Sports Media program, I was estatic” Roth has never
taught before but the experience he has gained makes
him more than qualified.

Many students in the Communication Department at

Virginia Tech have put together a Sports Journalism
cognate over the years. In fact, it was one of the most
requested out of all possible cognates according to
Susan Stinson, a communication advisor. Roth agreed
it was time to start this program. Since the pilot in
the fall of 2015, over 250 students have requested the
To learn more and keep up with the journey concentration and are continuously gaining hands-on
visit: https://www.rothreportonline.com/ experiencing both in the classroom and on the field.
Leaders in the classroom

Phrumpy with a PHD? No way...

Leading a double life is something that Dr. Stephanie Smith knows all too well about. While getting
her degree, Smith first began blogging in 2009 about shoes. When life picked up she stopped to focus
on the bigger picture but continued to think about it every day. “I finally realized it was taking up so
much mental space to think and dream about it so I just did it! It’s a great creative outlet for me which
is something I need and don’t get much being a professor.”

Smith is a Public Relations professor within Virginia Tech’s Department of Communication. She was
a doctorate student at Arizona when she got the idea to combine fashion with her career. “There’s a
common stereotype in academia that women are very frumpy and boring and I just refuse to conform
to that. So, people started calling me and my office-mate at the time the PhDiva’s, which we loved! The
name just sorta stuck from there with friends and family calling me that.”

In spring of 2016, Smith began her blog, P.H. Diva, which provides a place for students and colleagues
alike to learn how to balance all the passions you may have in your life. But, more than that, it has
helped her grow as a professor in many areas for instance how to integrate Wordpress and Canva into
assignments. Most importantly she embraced the fact that she was able to indulge in her crazy ideas
and to encourage her students to do the same which makes her one of the most relatable and inspira-
tional professors in the department.

Follow her at: https://linktr.ee/thephdivablog

 Student Life

Home Sweet Shanks

Allison Krisko lives to spend her nights studying. Okay that sounds a little lame, and she for
one is not lame by any means. But, when needing a quite space to collect her thoughts and fin-
ish a deadline assignment, Krisko, a junior who recently decided to major in Public Relations
takes herself back to her roots; the home of all communication students, Shanks Hall.

“Being a student within the communication department opens so many doors for you – both
literally and figuratively.” Krisko explains, “my favorite door just happens to be the one into
Shanks.” What many departments do not offer their students is the equipment and software
that they need to be successful, but the communication department does. They have several
computer labs with Macs, which are required for students in their department, that have all
the necessary software downloaded from Microsoft Office to the Adobe Cloud. These labs are
almost always accessible to students who may need to complete an assignment on them. In ad-
dition, all professor’s offices are located in Shanks. As a faculty member, they are asked to hold
office hours twice a week so that students may find the time regardless of their other commit-
ments to get help when needed. “To be honest, everything I looked for in a major was what the
walls of Shanks had to offer me, and if it wasn’t for these opportunities I would not be where
I am today.” Krisko has had the opportunity to thrive and to find another place on campus to
call home.
 To infinity and beyond

When opportunity knocks...

The Department of Communication launched their own six-week study abroad program, in
addition to their semester exchange program, that is based in Switzerland around the Steger
Center where they will “explore diversity among people, cultures, and geographic locations
first-hand on education.” Students that choose to study abroad with the department will earn a
one-credit course during the spring to plan out your travel and the courses you will take. Anoth-
er aspect of the program is that students will spend two weeks studying abroad allowing time for
travel to various countries while also taking courses at the Steger Center. Finally, individuals that
apply for this program will complete selected online courses during the semester. Each program
has a different focus of study whether it be organizational, corporate or multicultural communi-
cation.

While immersed in a unique culture, students will all live in a Virginia Tech owned house to-
gether with their own chef. Two faculty members will accompany them on the trip to experience
what the world has to offer while also enriching they student in an educational sense. Credit
hours that are earned overseas will transfer but the grade itself will not and there are only a cer-
tain number of courses that are allowed to be earned while abroad. Those who choose to take
the semester long option have the ability to earn a communication minor. Learning about other
cultures will be an advantage to those students that wish to pursue a career in the field of com-
munication while also changing their lives.
 Alumni Spotlight

1986 Virginia Tech Alumnae, Hoda Kotb, was recently promoted to be the co-anchor
on NBC’s Today Show following the scandal that surrounded her colleague Matt Lauer’s
sexual misconduct allegations. In 1998, Kotb joined the NBC team as a correspondent
for “Dateline” and has contributed to several of their shows. Kotb once said at a Virginia
Tech event that “Your job is out there waiting for you. You have got to go get it,” and that
she did. Congratulations from all of us at the Communication Department, we are very
proud!