Student Organizations
Participating in student organizations is a valuable way to make connections and develop professionally. Potential employers often want to know that you took an active role in your field as a student. The School of Communication invites you to participate in our community by becoming involved in one or more of the organizations described below. For more information, you should contact a faculty adviser.
Because the faculty value this kind of student participation, we are establishing a Student Advisory Board (SAB) made up of representatives from each student organization. The SAB will provide a good forum for voicing student responses for the growth of the School, as well as providing input for upcoming developments. The council will also be a way for the student organizations to network with one another on activities, guest speaker invitations, and other projects.
One look at the clubs described here shows how diverse our student organizations are. But we can grow, too. If you don't see an organization that meets your needs or interests, you can find other students who share those interests and start your own organization. Each organization on this list was created by someone like you, someone who wanted to get together with those who shared social, intellectual, and professional interests.
We hope that you will find student activities to be a vital part of your Hofstra experience.
ALSICA
(African-American and Latino Students Interested in Communication Arts)
ALSICA serves as a vehicle for African-Americans, Latinos, and other minority students to increase their awareness and understanding of the role that they have played in the communication fields.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Mario Murillo, (516) 463-6062
Association for Women in Communications (AWC)
(Formerly known as Women in Communications, Inc. (WICI))
An international association of individuals dedicated to leading progressive change in communication professions through information exchange, education and training, leadership development, and technology. It is the only association for communication professionals working and serving in all fields of the industry. Open to women and men.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nancy Kaplan, (516) 463-5429
Forensics
(Speech and Debate Team)
The Speech and Debate Team represents Hofstra at intercollegiate public speaking tournaments at the regional and national level. Participation on the team offers Hofstra undergraduates a unique opportunity to develop communication, research, and organizational skills which are crucial to their future success. The team is open to all Hofstra undergraduates, regardless of major, school, or previous speaking experience.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles Fleischman (Head Coach), (516) 463-5513
H.E.A.T
(Hofsta Entertainment Access Television)
Hofstra Entertainment Access Television is the School of Communication's student-operated college television production organization. Open to all students on campus, H.E.A.T. produces original television programming, as well as entertainment and informational programming. All H.E.A.T. student-produced shows allow their student participants to showcase their talents and achieve personal growth. The extent of participation is dependent on prior knowledge and experience, and there are numerous staff and production positions available for television enthusiasts of all levels.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Peter Gershon, (516) 463-5425
HFC
(Hofstra Film Club)
Hofstra Film Club is the School of Communication's student-operated college film production club. The Hofstra Film Club submits original films to different festivals to showcase their talents. Membership is open to all students who are genuinely interested in film production.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Phil Katzman, (516) 463-6579
NABJ
(The National Association of Black Journalists)
Rapidly growing chapter dedicated to providing social, study, scholarship, and work opportunities to African-American and other minority students. The student chapter, working in close coordination with the state and national units of the NABJ, matches deserving print and broadcast students to scholarships and internships.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Carol Fletcher, (516) 463-6464
NBS
(The National Broadcasting Society, Alpha Epsilon Rho)
NBS provides opportunities for Audio/Video/Film students and Broadcast Journalism students to network, meet professionals, get career information/advice, enter production competitions, attend regional and national conventions, and engage in a variety of other activities that bridge academics with the professional world. Alpha Epsilon Rho is a communications honor society within NBS for members who meet certain qualification requirements. To be eligible for membership, students must be an active NBS member for at least radio, television, film, cable or electronic media studies, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 in all radio, television, film, cable or electronic media studies courses and a cumulative 3.0 in all courses, and must be in the upper 35 percent of his/her institutional academic class.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Randy Hillebrand, (516) 463-5205
NAHJ
(The National Hispanic Journalists Association)
This national group works through a faculty member to provide varied opportunities for Hofstra's Hispanic journalism students. The association sponsors scholarships, internships, career conferences, seminars, social events, and job opportunities for interested students.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Carol Fletcher, (516) 463-6464
P.O.I.S.E.
(Professional Organization in Speech Education)
P.O.I.S.E. is an undergraduate organization where students interested in Speech Communication can interact socially as well as grow professionally. One of the primary goals of this organization is to allow students an active voice/participation in social and political matters at Hofstra as well as the larger metropolitan area. To do so, this club will organize lectures, seminars and workshops in various areas of social interaction (e.g., public, interpersonal, nonverbal, and small-group communication). Activities will have the dual purpose of social interaction and professional development, creating a platform for possible internships, fellowships and/or jobs that require, in particular, effective communication skills. Club participation is not exclusively limited to those interested in public oratory and debate but for those interested in oral communication for academic, professional and/or social reasons.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Guillermo Caliendo, (516) 463-6463
PRSSA
(Public Relations Student Society of America)
The chapter serves its members by enhancing their knowlege of public relations and providing access to professional development opportunities, and to serve the public relations professional by helping to develop highly qualified, well prepared professionals. It is open to all PR majors and those who are seriously considering making PR their major.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Suzanne Berman, (516) 463-4625
SPJ
(Society of Professional Journalists)
The chapter's purpose is to bring students, faculty and professionals together to discuss issues facing journalism today. Additionally, we hope to polish writing, reporting, and broadcast skills. The student SPJ chapter is a subsection of the Long Island Press Club, the professional organization of journalists living or working on Long Island. The two groups work together closely on various journalistic projects and social events. The Hofstra chapter regularly sponsors career conferences, discussion groups, and field trips, all on the cutting edge of journalism.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Carol Fletcher, (516) 463-6373
RTNDA
(The Radio and Television News Directors Association)
The National Association of Professional Radio and Television Journalists is currently helping to form a student RTNDA chapter at Hofstra University. Working with the national unit, the chapter will sponsor social events, career shadow days, internships, scholarships, career fairs, and job-opportunity banks.
Faculty Advisor: Professor G. Stuart Smith, (516) 463-6513
Because the faculty value this kind of student participation, we are establishing a Student Advisory Board (SAB) made up of representatives from each student organization. The SAB will provide a good forum for voicing student responses for the growth of the School, as well as providing input for upcoming developments. The council will also be a way for the student organizations to network with one another on activities, guest speaker invitations, and other projects.
One look at the clubs described here shows how diverse our student organizations are. But we can grow, too. If you don't see an organization that meets your needs or interests, you can find other students who share those interests and start your own organization. Each organization on this list was created by someone like you, someone who wanted to get together with those who shared social, intellectual, and professional interests.
We hope that you will find student activities to be a vital part of your Hofstra experience.
ALSICA
(African-American and Latino Students Interested in Communication Arts)
ALSICA serves as a vehicle for African-Americans, Latinos, and other minority students to increase their awareness and understanding of the role that they have played in the communication fields.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Mario Murillo, (516) 463-6062
Association for Women in Communications (AWC)
(Formerly known as Women in Communications, Inc. (WICI))
An international association of individuals dedicated to leading progressive change in communication professions through information exchange, education and training, leadership development, and technology. It is the only association for communication professionals working and serving in all fields of the industry. Open to women and men.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nancy Kaplan, (516) 463-5429
Forensics
(Speech and Debate Team)
The Speech and Debate Team represents Hofstra at intercollegiate public speaking tournaments at the regional and national level. Participation on the team offers Hofstra undergraduates a unique opportunity to develop communication, research, and organizational skills which are crucial to their future success. The team is open to all Hofstra undergraduates, regardless of major, school, or previous speaking experience.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles Fleischman (Head Coach), (516) 463-5513
H.E.A.T
(Hofsta Entertainment Access Television)
Hofstra Entertainment Access Television is the School of Communication's student-operated college television production organization. Open to all students on campus, H.E.A.T. produces original television programming, as well as entertainment and informational programming. All H.E.A.T. student-produced shows allow their student participants to showcase their talents and achieve personal growth. The extent of participation is dependent on prior knowledge and experience, and there are numerous staff and production positions available for television enthusiasts of all levels.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Peter Gershon, (516) 463-5425
HFC
(Hofstra Film Club)
Hofstra Film Club is the School of Communication's student-operated college film production club. The Hofstra Film Club submits original films to different festivals to showcase their talents. Membership is open to all students who are genuinely interested in film production.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Phil Katzman, (516) 463-6579
NABJ
(The National Association of Black Journalists)
Rapidly growing chapter dedicated to providing social, study, scholarship, and work opportunities to African-American and other minority students. The student chapter, working in close coordination with the state and national units of the NABJ, matches deserving print and broadcast students to scholarships and internships.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Carol Fletcher, (516) 463-6464
NBS
(The National Broadcasting Society, Alpha Epsilon Rho)
NBS provides opportunities for Audio/Video/Film students and Broadcast Journalism students to network, meet professionals, get career information/advice, enter production competitions, attend regional and national conventions, and engage in a variety of other activities that bridge academics with the professional world. Alpha Epsilon Rho is a communications honor society within NBS for members who meet certain qualification requirements. To be eligible for membership, students must be an active NBS member for at least radio, television, film, cable or electronic media studies, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 in all radio, television, film, cable or electronic media studies courses and a cumulative 3.0 in all courses, and must be in the upper 35 percent of his/her institutional academic class.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Randy Hillebrand, (516) 463-5205
NAHJ
(The National Hispanic Journalists Association)
This national group works through a faculty member to provide varied opportunities for Hofstra's Hispanic journalism students. The association sponsors scholarships, internships, career conferences, seminars, social events, and job opportunities for interested students.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Carol Fletcher, (516) 463-6464
P.O.I.S.E.
(Professional Organization in Speech Education)
P.O.I.S.E. is an undergraduate organization where students interested in Speech Communication can interact socially as well as grow professionally. One of the primary goals of this organization is to allow students an active voice/participation in social and political matters at Hofstra as well as the larger metropolitan area. To do so, this club will organize lectures, seminars and workshops in various areas of social interaction (e.g., public, interpersonal, nonverbal, and small-group communication). Activities will have the dual purpose of social interaction and professional development, creating a platform for possible internships, fellowships and/or jobs that require, in particular, effective communication skills. Club participation is not exclusively limited to those interested in public oratory and debate but for those interested in oral communication for academic, professional and/or social reasons.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Guillermo Caliendo, (516) 463-6463
PRSSA
(Public Relations Student Society of America)
The chapter serves its members by enhancing their knowlege of public relations and providing access to professional development opportunities, and to serve the public relations professional by helping to develop highly qualified, well prepared professionals. It is open to all PR majors and those who are seriously considering making PR their major.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Suzanne Berman, (516) 463-4625
SPJ
(Society of Professional Journalists)
The chapter's purpose is to bring students, faculty and professionals together to discuss issues facing journalism today. Additionally, we hope to polish writing, reporting, and broadcast skills. The student SPJ chapter is a subsection of the Long Island Press Club, the professional organization of journalists living or working on Long Island. The two groups work together closely on various journalistic projects and social events. The Hofstra chapter regularly sponsors career conferences, discussion groups, and field trips, all on the cutting edge of journalism.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Carol Fletcher, (516) 463-6373
RTNDA
(The Radio and Television News Directors Association)
The National Association of Professional Radio and Television Journalists is currently helping to form a student RTNDA chapter at Hofstra University. Working with the national unit, the chapter will sponsor social events, career shadow days, internships, scholarships, career fairs, and job-opportunity banks.
Faculty Advisor: Professor G. Stuart Smith, (516) 463-6513