The mission of the Department of Communications & Performing Arts is to produce outstanding graduates who can think critically and creatively, who can communicate clearly and effectively in visual, oral and written discourse, who can skillfully and ethically employ contemporary media technology, and who are knowledgeable of the history and theory of communications in its various forms and technologies.

Communications & Performing Arts strives to keep its curricula balanced between the liberal arts core of any college education and the skills needed to survive in very competitive fields. Through their creativity in oral presentation, theatrical and musical events and media production, soundly researched, imaginatively conceived and artistically presented, students and faculty help promote a rich media culture both at the College and in the surrounding community.

In evaluating its success at achieving its educational program goals, the Department of Communications & Performing Arts draws upon all relevant data - including individual student assessments, enrollments, alumni reports and submissions, student and graduate awards and honors - as part of its annual program assessments. Its three current degree programs - Performing Arts, Broadcasting Technology & Management and Speech Communication - have nearly 800 total majors. Graduates of these programs either transfer to one of many outstanding four-year programs around the United States, or go directly into the field. An equal number of success stories can be told for both options.