This Annual Report provides a snapshot of the Bellisario College of Communications. In this brief recap, you get a sense of our global reach, world-class faculty, alumni engagement and abundance of student resources. We are an unquestioned educational destination for mass communications students.
Top-notch classroom instruction represents the core of our mission. In traditional and non-traditional settings, on campus or online, our award-winning faculty strive to serve students in ways that resonate most with them and lead to their success.
6 university-wide faculty award winners
2,649 enrollment in 2019-20
936 undergraduate students earned degrees in 2019-20
More than three dozen communications-related clubs and organizations offer students the chance to complement class work through networking or practical experience. From the Ad/PR Club and Student Film Organization to CommAgency, CommRadio and Valley Magazine, students in every major have opportunities to hone vital-career related skills outside the classroom.
5 first-place winners: 2019 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, College Production Awards
53 episodes available of COMMversations, the college podcast
60+ countries where viewers watched the THON webcast
12,200 concurrent viewers of the final hour of the THON webcast
From the moment students step on campus, our internships and career services team helps prepare them for a career. With a database of more than 4,000 internship sites, three communications-specific job fairs, resume review sessions and workshops, mock interviews, an annual etiquette dinner and more, their support of students is unrivaled.
15 programs specifically focused on career support and COVID-19 featuring alumni, recruiters and professionals from specific industries
171 companies at three communications specific internship and job fairs, two of which were conducted virtually
177 pairings in first two months of mentoring program
397 for-credit internships completed
Bellisario College faculty members are award-winning teachers and internationally respected researchers and thought leaders. They thrive in the classroom (in person or virtually), in labs, in “embedded courses,” and as experts sought out by the media and potential collaborators.
3 books written
22 book chapters
52 journal articles produced
93 professional presentations
As much as any group, Bellisario College staff members exemplify the commitment and passion that makes Penn State special. They are dedicated to supporting students and helping them succeed.
“Our team is committed to helping students accomplish everything they want.” – Jamey Perry, Assistant Dean for Academic Services
The power of the Penn State network cannot be overlooked, and the commitment of Bellisario College alumni to supporting each other and students provides an example of that support on a daily basis. Our alumni enjoy interacting with each other and facilitating the success of fellow Penn Staters.
3 on-campus mentoring events
66 countries where Bellisario College alumni reside
Donors at every level make the success of Bellisario College students and faculty possible. In addition, many opportunities exist to ensure the continued success of our people and programs.
954 gifts received
358 students received scholarship support
“I know, firsthand, that a good education provides life-changing opportunities for those hoping to escape poverty and improve their lives. . . But the finances can become a burden. Sometimes all you need is someone to believe in you.” – Carolyn Xu, who created the Carolyn Xu Scholarship to provide awards to students who need financial assistance to complete their education at Penn State.
Despite a brief delay because of the coronavirus pandemic, construction on the Donald P. Bellisario Media Center continued during the 2019-20 academic year. The facility, which will revitalize the oldest part of Willard Building while attracting students and encouraging collaboration across disciplines, will be completed in the fall and ready for classes in early 2021.
