Why earn a communication degree?

Communication is one of the most in demand skill sets regardless of field or area of study. Among hiring managers, communication as a defined practice consistently ranks as integral for the workplace. Conflict management, interpersonal communication, public speaking, and team collaboration are just a few of the skills communication majors have the opportunity to develop and refine throughout their program of study. 

Communication scholars and practitioners play a critical role in our understanding of how daily interactions, organizations, and media shape the world around us. UAF’s Department of Communication provides three distinct tracks, allowing students to pick a focused area of study to meet their personal and professional goals. 

Track 1: Social Interaction

Students in the social interaction track focus on understanding the complex dynamics of how communication functions or dysfunctions within interpersonal relationships, organizations, and society. In these courses, students consider how the many aspects of identity affect communication and drive diversity, equity, and belonging. Students in this track will develop the skills necessary to work in careers such as Human Resources, Training & Development, Relationship Management, and more!

Track 2: Science & Environmental Communication

Students in the Science & Environmental communication track are innovators, joining one of the most rapidly growing sub-disciplines in communication. Courses in this track challenge students to consider how communication about science and the environment influences and shapes our understanding of the world around us. Students in this track will develop the skills necessary to work in careers such as Science & Environmental Education, Health Communication, Sustainability or Policy Development, and more!

Track 3: Public Relations (PR) and Organizational (Org) Communication

Students in the PR & Org communication track will consider how to effectively manage relationships between organizations and publics. Focusing on the role of communication in these interactions, students will learn about the effects of persuasive message design, crisis communication, activism, and media framing play in relationship management. Students in this track will develop the skills necessary to work in careers such as Public Relations, Media Relations, Social Media Marketing, Advocacy, Sports Management, and more!


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Department of Communication Contact Information

Department of Communication

Email: uaf-communication@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7007

Physical address:
1790 Tanana Loop
Gruening Building, 7th floor
Fairbanks, AK 99775 

Mailing address:
UAF Department of Communication 
PO Box 755680

Fairbanks, AK 99775

Department Chair

Amy May, PhD
Assistant Professor of Communication & Director of the Communication Center

Office: Gruening Building, Room 701A
Phone: 907-474-7007
Email: amay11@alaska.edu








Department Administrator

Jill Dewey-Davidson

Office: Gruening Building, Room 706D
Email:
uaf-communication@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7007

*Please Note* All UAF College of Liberal Arts (CLA) administrative assistants are off contract through the summer and will not return until Monday, August 14th, 2023.

If you need any assistance this summer, please contact Miriam Stelges in the CLA Dean's Office by phone at (907) 474-7231 or via email at uaf-cla@alaska.edu

CLA Comprehensive Academic Advising

At times, navigating your way through college can be tricky. That’s why we have two comprehensive academic advisors to help you out.

Our CLA Comprehensive Academic Advisors, Dan Darrow and Grace Carroll can assist with registration, petitions, change of major requests, and answer any number of questions related to the college experience. Advising appointments are available in person, via telephone, over zoom or via email.

Dan Darrow

Dan Darrow

CLA Lead Comprehensive Academic Advisor

College of Liberal Arts

Gruening Building, Room 503 G

Schedule an advising appointment with Dan using the button below.

However, if you are not a current UAF student, please send Dan an email to schedule your appointment.

Schedule Advising Appointment
Grace Carroll

Grace Carroll

CLA Comprehensive Academic Advisor

College of Liberal Arts

Gruening Building, Room 503 F

Schedule an advising appointment with Grace using the button below.

However, if you are not a current UAF student, please send Grace an email to schedule your appointment.

Schedule Advising Appointment