Ian Seasholtz

Next Steps at Vanderbilt is an “inclusive higher education program committed to providing neurodiverse students an inclusive, transformational postsecondary education in academics, social and career development, and independent living, while honoring equality, compassion, and excellence in all endeavors.” Many of the Communication Studies faculty have worked… Read More

Over winter break, The Vanderbilt Debate Team traveled to Panama City, Panama for the World Universities Debating Championship. This is an annual event where the top British Parliamentary Debate teams in the world compete for the title of world champion. At this competition, Vanderbilt debated schools from Africa, Asia, Europe,… Read More

Vanderbilt’s Department of Communication Studies recently inducted 15 members into its Delta Psi Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta. Lambda Pi Eta Director Dustin Wood and the rest of the Communication Studies faculty congratulate the following students – along with returning members Madelina Huffman, Annie Kraft, and Daniel Sak –… Read More

Conflict and communication breakdowns are often connected to poor listening. Perhaps this is unsurprising. Whether due to being distracted, jumping to conclusions, or thinking about how to respond to our interlocutor, many of us can struggle to be good listeners. Effective listening may prove especially challenging when we’re interacting with… Read More

Interior of Wightman Chapel. The Civil Rights Movement has been described as a religious phenomenon. Many of the Movement’s leaders were ministers, and many more people were inspired to participate in the Movement due to their religious beliefs. While religion motivated many individuals to join the struggle for civil rights,… Read More

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Department of Communication Studies hosted its annual Houston Communication Symposium. This event is named for Frank K. Houston, a Vanderbilt Student. in the 1930s, well before the University had a Communication Studies Department. However, Vanderbilt did have courses in public speaking, in which Houston… Read More

The People’s President or King Andrew? Andrew Jackson remains one of the most complex presidents in U.S. history. In his Jackson biography, American Lion, historian Jon Meacham writes, “[Jackson] was the most contradictory of men.” The same man who championed democracy for commoners and saved an Indian orphan from the… Read More

Dr. Isaac West was recently awarded the Jeffrey Nordhaus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. The Jeffrey Nordhaus Award was established in 1982 by a gift from Katherine Stumb Nordhaus and George Nordhaus in memory of their son, Jeffrey, who was a victim of an airplane crash in… Read More

Always at the helm of fostering campus dialogue, the Vanderbilt Debate Team exists to provide on-campus, national and international educational opportunities that enable students to improve analytical, communication, critical thinking, listening and research skills. Read More

Dr. Claire Sisco King recently discussed celebrity and meme culture in a news interview with Yahoo Entertainment. In this interview, Professor King focuses on the multitude of factors that contribute to the virality of popular ‘sad Affleck’ memes that center on paparazzi images of the Oscar-winning actor, Ben Affleck. Professor… Read More

Vanderbilt’s Department of Communication Studies recently inducted 15 members into its Delta Psi Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta. The Communication Studies faculty congratulates the following students – along with returning member, Caroline Lingle – for their academic excellence.   2023-2024 Inductees Macy Browning Reilly Caldwell Scott Coberly Mykayla Couchenour… Read More

The Civil Rights Movement is sometimes described as a religious phenomenon. Many of the Movement’s leaders were ministers, and many more individuals were inspired to participate in the Movement because of their religious beliefs. While religion motivated many church members to join the struggle for civil rights, most churches were… Read More