Announcements

Communication Impact Award 2026

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Presented by the UConn Department of Communication

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Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Award Overview

The Communication Impact Award recognizes undergraduate Communication majors who are making meaningful, positive contributions to the Department of Communication, the University of Connecticut community, and/or their local communities.

This award celebrates students who demonstrate the power of effective communication through service, leadership, collaboration, and real-world impact. The Communication Impact Award recognizes students who use their communication knowledge and skills to create positive change through leadership, mentoring, service, advocacy, research, community engagement, or other forms of meaningful involvement. 

Each year, three (3) exceptional undergraduate students will be selected to receive this honor. Each awardee will receive $1,000 and be formally recognized at the Department of Communication’s end-of-year celebration. 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be an undergraduate major in Communication at UConn in good academic standing. 
  • Have passed COMM 1000, 1100, and at least 2 other Communication Courses. 
  • Demonstrate clear and meaningful positive contributions to: 
    • The Department of Communication, and/or 
    • The UConn community, and/or 
    • Their local or broader communities.

Award Details

  • Three awards will be granted annually. 
  • Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship* 
  • Recipients will be recognized publicly at the Department of Communication’s end-of-year celebration.

Application Requirements

Students must submit the following:

  • Impact Statement (500–750 words) 
    Describe your contributions and the positive impact you have made. Be specific about: 
    • What you did 
    • Who was impacted 
    • Why this work matters 
    • What you learned through the experience 
  • Unofficial UConn transcript
  • Resume or CV 
  • One brief letter of support from a faculty member, advisor, supervisor, or community partner who can speak to your impact. 
     

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: March 22, 2026 (11:59 PM) 
  • Notification of Award: By April 17, 2026 
  • Recognition Ceremony: End-of-year Department of Communication celebration (April 30, 2026)

How To Apply

Students should submit the application materials and their impact statement through the following Submission form: Communication Impact Award Submission form (Kuali)

* All scholarships will be administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services. If you are a need-based financial aid recipient (loans, grants, work-study employment), your financial aid package may be revised as a result of this award. If no adjustment is necessary and your fee bill is paid in full, you may be entitled to a refund. If you have questions about how a scholarship could affect your financial aid package, please call (860)486-2819. 

Apply Now

Welcome from the Department Head

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Welcome to the Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut! Whether you are a current undergraduate student, a prospective graduate student, an alum of one of our programs, or just stopping by, you will find information on this website pertaining to the #1 Communication Program in New England.

You will find information on this website about the areas of specialization in the Department of Communication, including Communication Research Methods, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, Mass Media Theory and Research, Mass Media Practice and Public Relations, Advertising, International and Intercultural Communication, Health Communication, and Government and Political Communication.

Our theory-grounded courses help prepare our students for a variety of careers. We offer COMM 4981, which provides students the opportunity to intern in an approved Communication placement and receive course credit. Our students have recently completed internships at multimedia news and entertainment outlets such as ESPN and Fox CT, non-profits like Feeding Children Everywhere and the American Lung Association, and public relations, marketing, and communication firms, including Mintz+Hoke and IMG. Some of our students have been offered full-time paid positions at the conclusion of their internship experience.

You will find information about the curricular requirements that define the undergraduate Communication academic experience, as well as information about how to apply to become a Communication major. You will also learn more about the ways this program adds depth to a student’s education through undergraduate research opportunities, practical experience, and graduate coursework.

Dedicated Communication faculty members and Communication academic advisors provide the feel of a small college with all of the benefits provided by a top public research institution.

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you will contact us if you have questions. We are happy to help in any way.

Best regards,
Ken Lachlan, Ph.D.
Department Head
Department of Communication

UConn Juniors and Seniors — Why earn your MA in Communication at UConn?

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Our MA in Communication program provides students with a solid foundation in communication theory and research, preparing them to pursue a doctoral degree or apply their expertise in professional and commercial settings. Our students learn alongside dedicated, knowledgeable, and supportive faculty and peers, creating an engaging and collaborative academic environment. The program isn’t just ideal for communication majors; it’s also an excellent opportunity open to students in other fields!

The program offers the flexibility to explore a range of focus areas, including Computer-Mediated Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Marketing Communication, Mass Communication, Persuasion, and more. You can tailor the program to match your interests and ultimate career or academic goals.

The best part—through our Fast-Track Master of Arts (MA) in Communication, eligible undergraduates can begin taking graduate-level courses before completing their bachelor’s degree. Students admitted to the Fast-Track program may apply up to 12 graduate credits earned as undergraduates toward their MA degree—saving both time and money!

For questions about our graduate program, please contact Kirstie Farrar, Associate Professor of Communication and Director of Graduate Studies.