Veronica Kloss at Senior showcase, provided by Carter James, Lifestyles editor By Carter James, Lifestyles editor
For the past five years, the University of Montevallo’s communications department has hosted its COMS Senior Showcase, an expo for communications studies seniors to present their college portfolios.
Instead of wearing costumes on Halloween, seniors in the communication studies major put on their best business attire. Rather than setting candy on their doorsteps, they set poster boards on tables.
The event is “designed to allow students to talk about their story,” says communications studies professor Dr. Tiffany Wang.
The students had presentations where they highlighted their most impactful experiences as communications studies majors.
Senior, Emmeline Pena Castillo, says her time in UM’s Falcon Facilitators, she experienced plenty of civic engagement.
Castillo said the skills she learned in Falcon Facilitators include “bringing community ideas to the table, making sure everybody has different perspectives that they can apply in their everyday lifestyle,” remarked Castillo. “My skills, I feel like I’ve applied them in my everyday life,” Castillo said.
The seniors’ presentations were not just about what they’ve done during their undergrad, but also what they plan to do post-grad.
Communications senior, Katie Ozley believes her skill in rhetorical analysis will help her achieve her goal of becoming a literary editor. Ozley says the “deeper, more emotional aspect” that comes with rhetorical analysis has helped her with written communication, and given her the ability to help others with their writing.
Before presenting their experiences and accomplishments, the seniors had to build portfolios.
“The portfolio has required components,” says Wang. “What kind of courses they’re interested in, what kind of skill sets they have, what of kind of work or experience or extracurricular experience; and then the students can select from that portfolio what they want to highlight on the day of.”
Along with highlighting their experiences on poster board, Dr. Wang has her students link their portfolios to a QR code in case they meet potential employers.
Veronica Kloss, a senior with a double major in communications studies and social science. From end to end she has numerous awards, honors, internships and skills, along with involvement in 14 organizations on campus. Kloss attributed the communications department in being a “very encouraging force” throughout her college career.
Wang noted that because of the format of the showcase, it mirrors being at a job or career fair. She said presenting a senior showcase helps seniors get comfortable with presenting to a “wide range of audiences.
” Along with the public chance for these seniors to showcase their skills and aspirations, Wang said “It’s a great opportunity to celebrate our students’ successes.”
