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seward county community college
seward county community college

Mass Communication

Overview

The Mass Communications academic program at Seward County Community College is connected to the national award winning Crusader student website, CrusaderNews.com. Students are given the opportunity for classroom learning as well as hands-on experience in exciting career fields such as news and sports reporting, photography, social media, and online journalism and marketing. Students may be involved with student publications or take classes independently, depending on their schedules. The goal of the Mass Communications Department is to prepare students for the workplace in the ever-changing and expanding field of mass media. Students will learn to be ethical and competent.

Approximate Cost

2026-2027 Financial Aid Cost of Attendance Budgets

(Estimates Based on Full-Time Enrollment)

Expenses included in this Cost of Attendance are outlined by federal law. These are estimates of the total cost of attending SCCC for one year. Cost of Attendance is used to determine each student’s eligibility for financial aid as you may not receive federal aid greater than your cost of attendance. THIS IS NOT YOUR BILL.

Tuition and Fees:

Seward County Resident

 

$4,704

In State$4,800
Border State$5,496
Out of State/International$5,952

Books, Course Materials, Supplies

and Equipment:

$1,570
Food and Housing: 

On Campus (SLC)

Off Campus

With Parents/Relatives

$8,960

$9,160

$5,496

Personal Expenses:$3,084
Transportation:$1,552.50
Loan Fees:$50
Credential & Licensure Costs:Varies by program/course

Advising Information

Students will pursue an Associate in Arts degree with this course of study. A student should visit with a Mass Communications advisor at SCCC to discuss options for a career plan.

Career Opportunities

Students who study Mass Communications learn tactics and principles that span multiple industries, such as business or management. A degree in Mass Communications provides a variety of career options in many fields that may include:

  • Social Media Director
  • Bloggers
  • Social Media Influencers
  • Public Relations
  • Writers
  • Newspaper
  • Magazine
  • Radio
  • Television
  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Photography
  • Graphic Design
  • Media Law

Clubs & Organizations

Crusader News – Student Newspaper

Crusader News is SCCC’s student-run news media site where student journalists can report on the fascinating stories happening right on campus and beyond. In Crusader News, students learn things such as interviewing, news writing, photography, videography, digital design, and many others as they publish the stories that they feel are worth telling their audience.

Crusaders officially meet at least twice a week if they participate in Crusader News through its class, Media Practicum. However, students can also participate in Crusader News as volunteers or even as work-study workers.

HALO

The HALO (Hispanic American Leadership Organization) club is dedicated to strengthening the leadership development of students to empower and develop civic leaders. HALO represents the Hispanic community by celebrating the customs and traditions of Hispanic communities and providing cultural enrichment to our campus. HALO meets twice a month on Thursdays from 2-3pm in AA130.

Curriculum

Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts degree is a two-year degree that prepares students to transfer to a four-year liberal arts school to complete their full degree in their chosen field. Fundamentals of the industry are a core emphasis, but general education requirements make up the bulk of the curriculum.

View Associate of Arts Curriculum

Program Faculty

Dr. Lizette Avalos-Morales

Communications Lead Instructor
lizette.avalosmorale@sccc.edu
620-417-1463
AA124
Hobble Academic Building

Dr. Avalos has a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University. She has a Master of Science in Communication Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and Bachelor of Science in Organization Leadership from Fort Hays State University. Dr. Avalos is a graduate of SCCC with an Associate of Arts in Behavioral Science.

“I teach at SCCC because I believe that representation matters and students who attend a Hispanic Serving Institutions need Latina Instructors who share their culture.”

A fun fact about Dr. Avalos is “I am a first-generation college graduate who loves to travel”.

Students in Dr. Avalos’ class “are expected to apply leadership and communication skills they learn outside of the classroom”.

Miles Rothlisberger

Mass Communications Instructor
miles.rothlisberger@sccc.edu
620-417-1459
AA131
Hobble Academic Building

Miles has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a MA in Literature from Iowa State University.

One thing Miles enjoys about teaching at SCCC is “seeing those “Aha!” moments in students as they learn something new”.

A fun fact about Miles is his passion for classic science fiction. In his free time, when he’s not rewatching episodes of “The Twilight Zone,” he’s reading a William Gibson novel or a short story by Harlan Ellison.

Students in Miles’ class can expect “fascinating conversations and creative assignments about the wonderful world of media”.

Amy Thompson

Communications Instructor
amy.thompson@sccc.edu
620-417-1460
H102
Shank Humanities Building

Amy finished her Bachelor of Arts from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas. She went on to get her Master of Arts from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

When asked why she loves working at SCCC, Amy shared “working with such a diverse population of students is a satisfying challenge, for the students and myself. I enjoy getting to know students and supporting them in their various activities and as they bolster their public speaking skills and confidence”.

A few fun facts from Amy, “It is catty-corner, not kitty-corner; pah-cahn, not pea-can; pop, not soda.” She commonly says “oh, for Pete’s sake.” And she believes that two of the strongest proclamations of love in the Midwest are “watch for deer” and “I brought you a Sonic.”

  • Overview
  • Approximate Cost
  • Advising
  • Career Opportunities
  • Clubs & Organizations
  • Curriculum
  • Program Faculty

Contact Information

Mass Communication

megan.bryan@sccc.edu
620-417-1351
H116
Shank Humanities Building