Strategic Communication Center
The Strategic Communication Center (SCC) is an initiative of the JMC Department launched in 2024 to promote Public Relations and Advertising in the College of Liberal Arts at CSU. The goal is to promote teaching, research, and building industry experience and connections for both our undergraduate and graduate students.
We provide students with engaged research and industry experience by utilizing an agency model to learn more about public relations and advertising.
Overview
Through interdisciplinary connections, the SCC prioritizes hands-on teaching with our students through a strategic communication-focused, student-run agency to promote teaching through practice. Our Center aims to produce effective public relations and advertising campaigns developed by JMC students who take on specific roles such as conducting research, developing campaign strategies, copywriting, and account planning within the center. In addition, the SCC focuses on bringing industry leaders to speak and mentor students to help them navigate the professional world through the lens of inclusivity.
The SCC focuses on building theory and research as an integral part of contributing to the practice and scholarship of strategic communication. Each semester, the SCC hosts a lunch event for a speaker to discuss their research in strategic communication with students. Additionally, the SCC hosts research teams where students can learn the rigors of research that they can apply to obtaining industry jobs, publishing papers, and applying for grants.
There is a strong commitment to partnerships for industry connections to help students learn and grow by having internships with various advertising and public relations organizations. The Center also supports CSU’s PRSSA, as the advisor, Jangyul Kim, is a key member of the SCC.
About Us
Why Join the SCC
The SCC offers unique opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in gaining experience in the field of public relations and strategic communications:
- Network with industry professionals
- Find internship opportunities in the field
- Gain agency experience to work with real clients
- Develop strategic public relation campaigns
- Create creative briefs in advertising
- Understand the fundamentals of theory and research and applying them to real-world problems
- Publish research focused papers in international conferences such as AEJMC, ICA, IPRRC, and AAA.
Our Team
Learn more about our faculty and researchers who are a part of the SCC.
Faculty

Katie Abrams
- Professor
- Graduate Director

Ashley Anderson
- Associate Professor

Jangyul Robert Kim
- Associate Professor

Yeunjae Lee
- Assistant Professor
Graduate Students

Tanzid Basunia
- Graduate Teaching Assistant

Ruining Hu
- Ph.D. Student
- Graduate Teaching Assistant

Xiao Ma
- Ph.D. Student
- Graduate Teaching Assistant

Rebecca Damenorki Sewu
- Graduate Teaching Assistant
News & Current Projects
Publications
Books, Journal Articles, and Industry Insights from the SCC Team.
Contact Us
Learn more about our faculty and researchers who are a part of the SCC. If you are interested in strategic communication curriculum, internship opportunities, and supporting a student PR/advertising agency, please contact Dr. Samuel Tham.
If you are interested in a student research group, please contact Dr. Yeunjae Lee.