What I’ve Learned at Texas A&M

When people hear Communication, they often think it’s an easy or generic degree—but my path at Texas A&M has been anything but. My education has been shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a genuine desire to understand how people and technology connect. Every class I’ve taken has taught me something that extends far beyond the classroom—lessons about leadership, strategy, innovation, and human connection.

What makes my journey unique is how I’ve approached Communication as both a science and an art. I didn’t just learn how to communicate—I learned how to analyze systems, understand audiences, and use media as a tool for change. My studies have spanned everything from social media analytics and branding to leadership psychology and creative research. I’ve learned how to blend structure with imagination, professionalism with personality, and data with design.

This page exists because I want people to see that side of Communication—the one that’s analytical, intentional, and deeply human. My path through Texas A&M has been about more than earning a degree—it’s been about shaping how I think, create, and lead.

I chose this major because I’ve always been the kind of person who tears technology apart until I understand every feature and function. My curiosity about how things work naturally evolved into a fascination with how people communicate through those systems. This degree has allowed me to explore both the technical and human sides of media—from leadership and organizational communication to the structure and ethics of media industries. I’ve learned how to navigate the balance between creativity and structure, theory and practice, and technology and connection. Every course has shaped the way I think about communication as a tool for impact, showing me that effective media work isn’t just about information—it’s about understanding people.

Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication and Media Studies

  • COMM 324 – Conflict Management and Leadership with Dr. Anna Wolf

    This course has been one of the most transformative experiences of my academic career. Anna (as she prefers to be called) has a way of connecting leadership theory to real life in a way that feels both personal and empowering. The first half of the semester focused on lectures, and now we’re transitioning into hands-on application—which I’ve been eagerly waiting for. I’ve reflected more in this class than in any other; I actually find myself using what I’ve learned outside the classroom every day.

    We’ve taken numerous personality assessments to better understand our tendencies as leaders and communicators. Through that process, I’ve discovered that I thrive in structured, fast-paced environments, and that empathy is one of my greatest strengths. I’ve learned about AI-augmented leadership—a concept that at first felt intimidating—but I now see how technology can support leaders by minimizing human error and bias. Most importantly, I’ve learned how to shape my own narrative to mobilize others and inspire action. Anna’s lessons on vulnerability and self-disclosure have reminded me that openness creates empathy, and empathy creates connection—something I value deeply as a leader.

    Through this course, I’ve gained the ability to explain contemporary theories and principles of leadership and conflict management, evaluate my own leadership communication tendencies through validated assessments, and approach conflict from a relational, communication-centered perspective.

  • COMM 320 – Organizational Communication with Dr. Anna Wolf

    Taking another course with Anna has only deepened my appreciation for her teaching and for the study of communication as a whole. The first half of this class was filled with rich lectures that broke down how organizations truly function beneath the surface—through culture, structure, and human connection. The second half shifted toward group projects that put those theories into action, giving me a firsthand look at how communication shapes every level of organizational life.

    This course taught me how to define and apply key communication principles that drive effective organizations. I learned how theories like structuration, identification, and leadership power dynamics influence culture and change. It’s helped me understand not just what makes organizations successful, but why people communicate and behave the way they do within them. I’ve found that I naturally gravitate toward creating structure and clarity, and this class gave me the tools to do that intentionally.

    By the end of this course, I’ve been able to apply organizational communication concepts to real-life examples, evaluate processes within different contexts, and strengthen my ability to analyze and improve communication systems in any professional environment.

  • COMM 345 – Media Industries with Dr. Rold

    I really enjoy the way Dr. Rold lectures—he’s engaging, funny, and makes complex topics feel approachable. This course has given me a deeper understanding of how media operates behind the scenes, from ownership and production to regulation and policy. I’ve learned to analyze the relationships between creativity, economics, and ethics within the media industry, and to form thoughtful opinions on how these forces shape the content we consume every day.

Social Media Certificate

I chose to pursue a Social Media Certificate because social media is constantly evolving, and I’ve always wanted to stay ahead of the curve. Even before college, I had a strong understanding of how social media worked, but I wanted to deepen my knowledge and strengthen my professional skill set. Through these courses, I’ve learned how to approach social media as both an art and a science—understanding algorithms, audience behavior, and digital ethics while also developing creativity and strategy. Being well-versed in social media has already opened many doors for me, from internships to leadership positions, and this certificate continues to refine the way I think, create, and connect online.

  • COMM 476 – Advanced Social Media with Jason Gong. I am currently taking this course, where I’m stretching my mind to think critically about algorithms, data analysis, and online policies and regulations. This class has helped me see how social media is both an art and a science. We’ve discussed integrated ethics, misinformation, the writing process, and branding for both personal and professional identities, as well as explored the diverse roles available within the social media industry.

  • COMM 275 – Introduction to Social Media with Dr. Guajardo. This course laid the foundation for my understanding of social media and communication theories. Dr. Guajardo made the class engaging and helped me build a strong grasp of the basic principles behind how social media connects people and messages.

  • COMM 323 – Strategic Communication with Dr. Parish. This course is an essential part of my marketing background because strategic communication plays a key role in every professional setting. It taught me how to craft intentional messaging and apply strategy to strengthen brand and audience relationships.

Creative Studies Minor

I chose to pursue a Creative Studies minor because creativity has always been a part of who I am. Growing up, people often called me “creative,” and for a long time I associated that only with art or design. Now, I understand that creativity is much deeper—it’s a mindset, a way of thinking, and a skill that shapes how we approach problems, ideas, and innovation. This minor has helped me explore creativity as both a process and a practice, strengthening my ability to think flexibly, connect concepts in new ways, and bring originality into everything I do.

  • EPSY 430 – Creative Theories and Research with Dr. Jay.

    I cannot emphasize enough how much I love this class—from the structure to the way Dr. Jay integrates all kinds of learning methods. We get up to use smart boards, play board games that tie directly into each unit, and take creativity assessments to study how the tests themselves are formatted and how vulnerability plays a role in creativity. Through this course, I’ve gained an understanding of the research methods used to study creativity, the core terminology and theories that define the field, and the “Four P’s” of creativity—person, process, product, and press—and how they apply across different domains. I’ve also learned how creativity can be defined and assessed in many ways, and I’ve been able to demonstrate these principles through hands-on, project-based learning that truly brings the theories to life.