Dear friends,
I am writing to invite your support for the continued growth and impact of the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Michigan. At a time when our discipline is rapidly evolving, our program is preparing students not only to understand the field, but to help shape its future.
Today, our department is home to 583 declared majors, reflecting strong and growing student interest. These students are intellectually curious, highly motivated, and eager to apply what they learn to real-world challenges. Your support helps ensure they have access to the experiences, mentorship, and academic opportunities that are foundational to their success.
One of the most exciting areas of growth is our expanding curriculum. We are developing and offering new courses that respond directly to emerging trends in the field, including classes in influencers, AI literacy, and entertainment media and society. These courses provide students with real-life exposure to various industries within the field. Strengthening our course offerings ensures that students graduate with both foundational knowledge and the adaptability needed in a changing world.
Beyond the classroom, our students benefit from unique shadowship opportunities that allow them to observe professionals in action. These experiences provide students an invaluable view into potential career paths, helping connect academic learning with professional practice. Shadowing alumni in specialized settings allows students to gain insight into the various communication and media industries.
Our faculty are also advancing the frontiers of our understanding of media and communication through cutting-edge research in areas such as misinformation, celebrity culture, online gambling, and effects of cell phone use on sleep. Their work addresses pressing questions in the field and creates meaningful opportunities for student involvement through independent research projects, lab experiences, and faculty mentorship.
A gift to the Department of Communication and Media Strategic Fund would help us continue to support student access to shadowships and experiential learning opportunities; provide resources for undergraduate research and faculty-student collaboration; and ensure that our growing number of majors receive a rigorous, relevant, and transformative education. Your support makes a direct and lasting difference for our students, our faculty, and the future of the field.
With appreciation,
Jan Van den Bulck
Chair, Department of Communication and Media
