Contact Information:
Jeremy Sanchez
Department of Communications & Humanities Chair
Contact Information:
Kate Edgar
Department of Communications & Humanities Associate Chair
Communication & Speech
Employers readily identify communication skills among the most sought after needs for new and existing employees. The Communication Department at Odessa College exists to support students in learning these skills and in preparing them to apply them to the marketplace and/or in their pursuit of advanced degrees. All of our courses have a heavy emphasis on media literacy, rhetorical analysis and public communication skills. We specialize in preparing students for further studies at transfer institutions in a variety of disciplines. However we also emphasize skills and training to prepare students to function as adept communicators on work teams, as public speakers and adept media specialists.
Our curriculum emphasizes the appreciation, understanding, and practice of communication/media including:
- Ethical communication and competence underscore our focus on applied learning.
- We foster student intellectual and professional growth in human communication, mass media, and culture.
- We prioritize peer collaboration and review processes.
- We actively foster cultural diversity and engagement.
- Our dedication to meaningful service to our students is guided by the principles of productivity and continuous evaluation.
The communications and media department helps students gain the knowledge, techniques, and terminology to effectively create and interpret messages for impactful communication across various mediums and audiences. The mission of the Department of Communication and Mass Media is to deliver exceptional standards in education, scholarly inquiry, creative exploration, and community engagement within the realms of communication and mass media disciplines.
Key transferable skills gained include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication: Presenting, persuading, active listening. Confident public speaking, storytelling, interpersonal skills, and presentation delivery.
- Writing: Clear, concise, and audience-specific writing. Persuasive writing, editing, content creation, and adapting tone for different platforms.
- Critical Thinking: Analyzing messages, solving communication problems. Media literacy, understanding communication theories, and interpreting audience behavior.
- Interpersonal Skills: Building rapport, conflict resolution, teamwork.
- Research & Analysis: Understanding communication theories and applying them.
A communication or speech degree teaches the science and art of human interaction, focusing on verbal, nonverbal, and written messages, with two main paths: Communication Studies (broad skills for media, business, politics, PR) and Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) (prepares for clinical roles like Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology by studying disorders and therapy). Both build critical thinking, public speaking, and understanding how messages affect individuals and society, but CSD requires a master's for clinical practice. In essence, a Communication or Speech degree teaches you how people connect, making you adaptable for roles that require influencing, informing, or understanding others, from corporate boardrooms to therapy clinics.
How Communication & Speech Benefits Specific Major Fields of Interest:
- Essential for branding, social media, copywriting, and crafting public image.
- Reporter, Social Media Manager, Advertising Exec, PR Specialist, Content Creator, Broadcast Journalist.
- Develops leadership, negotiation, and team-building skills; teaches internal/external messaging (HR, Marketing).
- Sales, Human Resources, Management Trainee, Technical Writer, Communications Director.
- For management, marketing, or corporate leadership roles.
- Bridges the gap between technical experts and users/clients through clear explanations and presentations.
- Audio/Video Technician, Computer Network Support Specialist (especially with CSD focus).
- Enhances teaching, fundraising, community outreach, and advocacy.
- Teacher's Aide, Special Education Support, Teaching.
- For becoming a certified teacher or administrator.
- Strengthens argumentation, rhetoric, and persuasive speaking crucial for advocacy and courtroom presence.
- The analytical and persuasive skills are great for law school.
- Improves patient-provider communication, health education, and teamwork with medical staff.
- Continue/Transfer to Master's/Doctorate
- Work in hospitals, schools, private clinics on speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders.
Getting to Know Your Instructors:
Tim Clark
Instructor - Communications
Email: tlclark@odessa.edu
Phone #1: 432.335.6626
Office: WH 120
Ivie Ero
Instructor - Communications
Email: iero@odessa.edu
Phone #1: 432.335.6707
Office: WH 123
Jeremy Sanchez
Dept. Chair – Comm. & Languages
Instructor - Communications
Email: jsanchez@odessa.edu
Phone #1: 432.335.6598
Office: WH 134
Joel Thompson
Instructor - Communications
Email: jthompson@odessa.edu
Phone #1: 432.335.6369
Office: WILK 115
Become a Wrangler Today!
Scholarship Opportunities:
Positively OC Presidential Scholarship
The Positively OC Presidential Scholarship at Odessa College offers a 2-semester tuition & fee waiver, developing student leaders who share positivity online & in the community, featuring leadership workshops & mentorship; it's part of OC's mission to uplift the Permian Basin and foster student success through campus/social media engagement.
Click Here To Complete The Positively OC Application
Student Financial Aid Scholarships
Odessa College annually awards more than $500,000 in academic scholarships to recognize scholastic merit. This is a partial list of the scholarships awarded through OC Student Financial Aid. Unless otherwise specified, students may apply for any of these scholarships with Awardspring. Students must reapply each spring for the next school year.
Click Here to Complete the Student Financial Aid Application
Strong Start Scholarship
The Strong Start Scholarship helps cover tuition and standard fees for your first credit class (up to 3 credit hours) at Odessa College during the summer term immediately following your high school graduation. (Note: Continuing education and workforce non-credit classes are not eligible.)
Click Here To Complete The Start Strong Application
Free Tuition Opportunity:
Wrangler Promise
Odessa College offers free tuition through programs like the Wrangler Promise, covering tuition/fees for eligible local high school grads to earn an associate degree, and the one-time First Class Free Scholarship for first-time students taking their initial credit class. Other aid includes Pell Grants, loans, and specific scholarships, but the core free opportunities are for new students or local residents under the Promise program, requiring FAFSA completion.