COMM & Media Week Celebrated April 2-6 at A&M-Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A networking mixer, screening of the film “Dunkirk” and discussion with Dr. Kelly M. Quintanilla, President of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, are just a few of the events that the campus community and the community at large are invited to attend during COMM & Media Week, being held Monday, April 2, through Friday, April 6.

The Department of Communication & Media at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is excited to host COMM & Media Week, an extension of the department’s COMM Week, which was held for the past four years. COMM & Media Week is a series of events which showcases aspects of communication and media in personal and professional lives, encouraging critical engagement and discussion outside of the classroom.

“COMM & Media Week is a true reflection of the cross-disciplinary nature of what we do as students and scholars of communication, media studies or media production,” said Dr. Ethan Thompson, professor in the Department of Communication and Media at A&M-Corpus Christi.

More than 100 students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are expected at each of the week’s events, many which are free and open to the public. Commemorative COMM & Media Week t-shirts are available for purchase at each event.

“It is the Island University’s dedication to not only providing educational opportunities, but also professional opportunities that excites us to host COMM & Media Week,” said Thompson. “This year’s schedule is designed to bring students into contact with visiting scholars, professionals, community members and alumni.”

The 2018 COMM & Media Week events include:

• April 2: Women and Leadership Discussion: The week will be kicked off with a conversation on Women, Communication, and Leadership with Dr. Kelly Quintanilla, President of A&M-Corpus Christi, on Monday, April 2, from 7-9:30 p.m. at the University Center, Lonestar 142 A. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Diana K. Ivy, professor of communication. This event is free and open to the campus community and the general public.
• April 3: Networking Mixer: A networking mixer for local communication and media professionals, Islander students, and alumni will be held on Tuesday, April 3, from 5-8 p.m. at the House of Rock, 511 Star St. This is a chance to get together in a casual atmosphere to visit and make professional connections. The event is free and open to all communication and media majors, as well as local COMM and Media professionals. Free pizza will be provided.
• April 4: Keynote Speaker: A&M-Corpus Christi will host keynote speaker Dr. Miranda Banks, a prominent media scholar, on Wednesday, April 4, from 3-4 p.m. at the University Center, Oso Room 221. Dr. Banks will speak about current attempts to diversify the media industries in Hollywood, and what past attempts to bring more women and people of color into the industry can teach us about Hollywood's problems today.
• April 4: ‘Dr. Bill Huie Best Picture Screening’: A new COMM & Media Week tradition, “The Dr. Bill Huie Best Picture Screening” at the Corpus Christi Alamo Drafthouse will take place on Wednesday, April 4, from 7-10 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse, 7601 S. Staples St. This special screening will be hosted by Dr. Huie, Professor Emeritus, who taught film studies at A&M-Corpus Christ for many years. Dr. Huie has chosen the Oscar-winning film Dunkirk, which he believes to be the best picture of 2017! This event is sold out.
• April 5: Room at the Top: Miranda Banks bring her massive multiplayer card game “Room at the Top,” to students to show how professionals collaborate in creative environments. The presentation will take place from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in Corpus Christi Hall, room 118. All communication and media majors are welcome. Later that day, Banks will bring the game to the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce event, United Strong: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit.
• April 6: Luncheon and Discussion: The San Antonio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America will host a luncheon and discussion on “Crisis Response and Recovery: Tips for Navigating Hurricanes and Other Company Disasters,” on Friday, April 6, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom A.

The 2018 COMM & Media week major sponsors include HEB and KCS Public Relations. For more information and a full schedule of COMM & Media week events, visit commandmediaweek.com or email ethan.thompson@tamucc.edu.