COM Undergrad News: October 2020

We’re at the midpoint of the semester. Yay! I want to send everyone a big “YOU GOT THIS!” as we move through the rest of the semester. If you need any resources, such as tutoring, time management, accountability or support, this newsletter will help connect you.

The midpoint of the semester also means it’s time to start planning for your next semester. That’s right — registration for Spring 2021 will be here soon. Please review the information here on preparing for your advising appointment and look for additional information from your advisor.

Formal Advising

It’s time to start planning for your Spring 2021 semester. The schedule for spring courses is now posted. Courses for Summer 2021 will be posted on Nov. 9, and you will be able to register for summer classes at that time.

Please look at your planning and enrollment tile for your registration date. Please note that the following categories of students MUST meet with their advisor:

• Students in their first year in the major (FR, External Transfer students, new CODA students)
• Students graduating in May 2021, Summer 2021 or Fall 2021
• Students on Academic Probation/Warning

Advisors will be contacting all students regarding appointment availability.

Here are the general procedures for having your advising hold released:

• Add your Spring 2021 courses and Summer 2021 courses (if applicable) to your Pack Planner (not shopping cart).
• Select the “Submit Planner For Review” button in the Pack Planner. Find more infomation on how to use the Pack Planner here.
• Schedule an advising appointment, if applicable.

Note:  You may not be able to meet with an advisor prior to your enrollment appointment. However, as long as you submit your planner for review at least five days before your enrollment date, your advising hold can be released. You can schedule a follow-up appointment.

Here are some other relevant links for you as you plan for your Spring/Summer 2021:

• View Holds, Prerequisites, and Restrictions
• Degree Audit
• Searching for Classes in Enrollment Wizard
• Registering with Enrollment Wizard

Managing Stress

We are in times of unique and compounding stressors, so I want to make sure you are taking care of yourself.

• The Counseling Center is answering questions about self care.
• University Wellness and Recreation is offering their Well Rec at Home series. Find more information here.
• I am holding community drop-in times on Mondays at 9 a.m. (https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/99643329812?pwd=dGFoMEJpTEhpOWtiSWxVUW5GVE9yUT09) and on Fridays at 3 p.m. (https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/96306483562?pwd=SSsrRzI0OW5PV1VCeGxmZjVtQTRrQT09). 

If you find that you are experiencing more sustained stress, the Counseling Center provides counseling for NC State students experiencing personal, academic or vocational problems. Psychological assessment and psychiatric consultation are also available. Services are primarily short-term in nature and referrals to other helping professionals and community agencies are made as appropriate. Strict confidentiality is assured. Many services are free to currently enrolled students of North Carolina State University. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Counseling Center is not accepting walk-in appointments. Please call (919) 515-2423 to speak with a counselor or visit their website for more information.

If the personal behavior of a peer or friend concerns or worries you, either for the peer/friend’s well-being or yours, we encourage you to report this behavior to the NC State CARES team: Share a Concern

Academic Support

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Academic Support Center:

Academic Support Center advisors are current graduate students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. They can assist in many areas, including strategies to handle academic difficulty, time management and accountability. You can contact the advisors via email at: chassacademicsupport@ncsu.edu. You should receive a reply within one business day. Each advisor is also available to schedule virtual advising appointments. When you schedule an appointment, please be sure to briefly indicate what you wish to talk about.

Ben is generally available on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. To book an appointment, please see: Ben Barkley Google Appointment Calendar; Helen is generally available on Mondays 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. To book an appointment, please see: Helen Oluokun Google Appointment Calendar; Stacie is generally available on Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Thursdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. To book an appointment, please see: Stacie Sanchez Google Appointment Calendar

Academic Success Center (formerly the Tutorial Center): 

The Academic Success Center is located on the second floor in D.H. Hill Jr, Library. They are offering many programs this semester, including a new academic peer mentoring program for students who want regular support with time management and study skills. They will also offer drop-in tutoring, group, one-on-one tutoring and writing appointments, and SI. Though their services will be offered virtually by peer tutors and mentors during Fall 2020, their office is open for business and they welcome students to visit their new space. Please note that due to the pandemic, it is required to have an NC State ID and a face mask to enter the library during the fall semester.

Once they return to serving students face-to-face, the ASC will also be offering drop-in academic advising, career counseling and wellness coaching in conjunction with some of their DASA partners. Until then, there are links from their new site to lead students to virtual support by those programs.

Scholarship Opportunities

Black Play-By-Play Broadcaster Grant and Scholarship:

The Black Play-by-Play Broadcaster Grant and Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established to address the disparity in diversity in sports play-by-play. This organization distributes scholarship money to Black college undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in play-by-play sports broadcasting. Information about how to apply can be found here. Applications are due Nov. 15. Contact Adam Giardino, president/founder, at blackpxpfund@gmail.com for more information.

Washington Media Scholars Media Fellows Scholarship:

Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in a media or policy-related major are encouraged to apply for the Washington Media Scholars Media Fellows Scholarship. Eligible majors include (but are not limited to): strategic media, communication, marketing, advertising, journalism, political science and government. Media Fellows scholarships are distributed twice annually. The deadline for applications for the spring semester is Nov. 16.

There are three requirements: 1) a 300 word essay sharing students’ financial need as well as a description of their academic achievements and career aspirations, 2) a signed letter of recommendation from an academic advisor or instructor, 3) a current resume. 

 Juniors and seniors are highly encouraged to apply. If you have questions, please email info@mediascholars.org.

Get Involved

Department of Communication Ambassadors Program:

Are you a student who would love to share your experience at NC State with both potential and new communication students? If so, then consider becoming a Department of Communication Student Ambassador.

As a Student Ambassador, you will assist the department at events, including: orientations, open house, new student welcome events, and admitted student events.  The only experience necessary is an interest in interacting with people and sharing your experience at NC State and as a communication student. Students want to hear from you!

You will gain experience in public speaking, add new skills to your resume, and give back to the Wolfpack community. You will also be recognized as a Student Ambassador at our department graduation.

If interested, please contact Cynthia Zuckerman-Hyman for more information about the application.

PR Day:

PRSSA’s annual event, PR Day, will be held virtually this year on Friday, Nov. 6, via Zoom. It will be a day full of diverse professional panels and speakers from around the world who talk about their experiences in the field and network with students. Some organizations (among many) that will be represented include: SAS, Rise Against Hunger, Walter Magazine, and multiple local and global PR agencies. 

If you want to gain a new perspective on what the field of PR and communication entails, build lasting connections, and get your name known, don’t miss out! Though we encourage you to attend the whole event, if you are unable to, no worries. You can come and go as necessary.

Register and find more information about the agenda and guests here.

Global Engagement:

Looking for opportunities to get involved globally on campus? Check out these opportunities.

Students can also participate in one of these unique virtual programs. Spring ’21 virtual application deadline: January 4.

• Virtual Global Internships: While continuing with NC State semester studies and at a low cost, virtual global internships are a valuable tool to help develop professional work skills and cultural competence.
• Virtual Global Exchanges: Students can select one from a number of courses available from our exchange partner (options in English or Spanish), Universidad San Francisco de Quito. The program utilizes NC State’s exchange, meaning standard NC State tuition applies.

Gilman and Gilman-McCain Scholarships (international scholarships available to Pell Grant recipients) can be used for virtual international experiences through 2021.