By: Amanda King

On September 21st, Boston University’s College of Communication welcomed the Dean’s Advisory Board to 640 Commonwealth Avenue. The Advisory Board is a critical component to the success of COM, allowing accomplished individuals from within the industry to offer their knowledge and expertise. These visits help to bridge the gap between industry and academia, creating an ever-evolving learning environment designed for the benefit of students and faculty alike.

Beginning with some back-to-school highlights and program reviews, the day began on a high point, celebrating the successes of the previous year. Program reviews of various departments gave industry leaders and BU faculty a platform to develop next steps. Before breaking for lunch and mingling with the Dean’s Council – leadership within the college – the COM IT team unveiled the newly revamped Studio West, a space for students to evolve their storytelling.

Following lunch, the Board reconvened for a discussion surrounding the future of Journalism at Boston University. Ensuring the continued future of journalistic integrity and relevancy starts with the students’ curriculum. Updates with Development and BU Trustees, respectively, followed.

A tour of the Communication Research Center by the Associate Dean of Research, Dr. Michelle Amazeen, commenced after a short walk to 704 Commonwealth Avenue. The CRC is a collaborative research environment, where both faculty and students can test their theories using cutting-edge technology. Dr. Jim Cummings, Assistant Professor of Emerging Media Studies, graciously led a demonstration using the CRC’s biometric technologies, which gather and enable analysis of imperceptible changes in participants’ physiology. Using galvanic skin response sensors and eye-tracking, he demonstrated how researchers are able to glean insight from the most minute eye movements and heartbeats.

The turn of the evening brought no less excitement with it as the Dean’s Advisory Board spent time conversing with tomorrow’s top-communicators in an intellectual exchange facilitated by Dean Mariette DiChristina. In anticipation of the Black Media Symposium the following day, the Board met with many media professionals, symposium speakers, and titans in their fields, and shared perspectives on breaking barriers facing Black voices.

The visit was a resounding success and we look forward to welcoming the Board back in 2024.