Strategic Communications Grad Signs Her Own Checks

Janessa Hoyte recently celebrated her academic achievements at the 2007 Columbia University commencement activities and is already putting the degree to good use. The Strategic Communications alumna has opened the doors to her new online enterprise, Jayedits.com, an editing service for anyone applying to college or graduate school and looking for some expert input. And if you are a Strat Commer who'll begin the ACP in fall 2007, contact Janessa to find out how Jayedits.com can help you.

Strat Commer Named "NYer of the Week"

Strategic Communications student Alex Price has been named "NYer of the Week" by NY1 News, for his involvement in launching the non-profit organization New York City Ties, which comprises a group of young professionals working to raise awareness and funds for a myriad of local charities. Currently the organization is working with the Ronald McDonald House and Gilda's Club NYC. The inspiration for the organization was born out of Alex wishing to commemorate his father who died of a heart attack several years ago. “Coming up on that year anniversary, I reached out to a handful of my friends to do something, to host a fundraising event for the American Heart Association and I just wanted to give whatever proceeds that we made to them in his name,” said Price. To read more about the organization visit the NYer of the Week .

Summer and Fall 2007 Registration Update

Early Registration may be a thing of the past, but there's still time to register!

Mark your calendars for the next opportunity to register for summer and fall 2007 courses. For specific course information contact your program representatives or check your Columbia University email for messages they may have sent you recently. Also make a note of when the late registration period begins for the terms you are registering for, since this is when financial penalties will start to be enforced. Using your UNI and password, log into Student Services Online (SSOL) to find your appointment times and PIN and follow the registration instructions given.

Summer 2007 Registration
Summer Session D (May 21 - Jun 29)
Summer Session E (May 21 - Jul 20)
Summer Session H (Jun 04 - Jun 29)
Summer Session Q (Jul 02 - Aug 10)
Summer Session R (Jul 02 - Jul 27)
Summer Session X (May 21 - Aug 10)

Fall 2007 Registration
http://www.ce.columbia.edu/calendar/index.cfm
Visit the above link then click on the drop down menu to find your program's calendar

Strat Comm Student Turns Pitch into Feature Article

What began as an assignment for one Strategic Communications student has turned into a feature length article in Wiretap, an online magazine featuring the next generation of journalists and activists. From the comfort of her living room, Emily Freeburg, MS candidate and Wiretap contributor, got a glimpse of what life is like for University of Baghdad students through a series of "webisodes"airing online. Read her discussion with the one of the producers of Hometown Baghdad.

Strat Comm Instructor Confronts Hackneyed Interviews

What makes Jane Praeger, media trainer and Strategic Communications instructor, cringe? Listening to unflattering comments from journalists who know when they've interviewed a graduate of the Stepford Wives School of Talking to Reporters. These alumni have typically been so over educated and so hyper-coached by their well-meaning communications reps that they often come across to reporters (and to shrewd viewers at home), as "robotic," "overly-policed," and "dull." By training their clients to handle any press situation with grace many communications professionals are "unwittingly steering their clients away from opportunities to build relationships with journalists, create ongoing dialogues, and make meaningful contributions to stories." What's a PR person to do? In her piece The Lost Art of Conversation: What to Do When Execs Become Message "Jackhammers" Jane offers her colleagues some tips to help them redirect their clients off the treacherous road of triteness. With a "certificate in charisma " in hand, not only might these SWSTR alums have more success getting their message across, but journalists will have to find something else to gripe about to Jane!

It's That Time of Year Again...

...End of Term Course Evaluations!

After your final class* you will receive an electronic course evaluation, automatically generated by Courseworks. A frank and honest assessment of your experience is appreciated as it is very helpful for the Program to hear qualitative observations and comments.

Individual evaluations are not shared with instructors, and the evaluations for the class - the tabulated responses and comments - are not shared until after grades have been submitted. In fact (and this is important, so keep reading...) you will not be able to see your grade until you have submitted an evaluation.

Since the evaluations are completely anonymous, if you write a comment that invites a response, please reach out to the Program Director or a Student Affairs Representative.

* The evaluations will go out at the end of April, after all courses have ended.

3rd Annual Interactive Career Day and Recruitment Fair

212, New York's Interactive Advertising Club, is hosting its annual Interactive Career Day and Recruitment Fair, and a Strategic Communications alumna wanted to make sure her colleagues were in the know! To find out more about this event, visit the link below.

3rd Annual Interactive Career Day and Recruitment Fair