Communication Arts Language Dept. | Western Colorado University

A group of three students sit on Taylor Lawn and discuss an assignment for a philosophy class.

The world of communications is more exciting and fast-paced than ever before. At Western, all of our programs are adapted to the current demands of the global marketplace. With dynamic programs in everything, from Creative Writing and Public Relations to Philosophy, you’ll learn how to craft and disseminate media of all types for artistic and functional expression.

Through a combination of relevant coursework and hands-on opportunities, you’ll gain a deep understanding of written, oral, visual, and electronic communications through different lenses. A strong background in the field of communications, arts, languages, and literature will open doors to diverse career opportunities in marketing, politics, academia, executive leadership, and more.

Hands-On Opportunities

Pathfinder Magazine

Students collaborate to produce a real-world magazine, gaining hands-on experience in writing and publishing.
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Narrative & Performance

Students find their community, explore passions, and develop leadership skills through a variety of clubs.
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Areas of Study

Advanced Spanish Proficiency

Available as: Certificate

Communication Arts

Available as: Major, Minor

Creative Writing

Available as: Major Emphasis, Minor

English

Available as: Major, Minor

English Secondary Education

Available as: Education Licensure, Major Emphasis

English Secondary Licensure with MA in Education

Available as: Accelerated Degree, Education Licensure

English with Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Available as: Accelerated Degree

Ethics and Critical Thinking

Available as: Certificate

Humanities and Diversity

Available as: Minor

Philosophy

Available as: Minor

Public Relations

Available as: Minor

Spanish

Available as: Major, Minor

Spanish K-12 Licensure

Available as: Education Licensure, Major Emphasis

Spanish K-12 Licensure with MA in Education

Available as: Accelerated Degree, Education Licensure

Spanish Language and Culture

Available as: Certificate

Strategic Communications

Available as: Major Emphasis

Writing

Available as: Certificate

“I love the ways both my majors have rewired my way of thinking and the way I can apply them to make myself happier and more successful.”

Gabriel Portis

English, Psychology

Gabriel Portis

Scholarships

Scholarships by Department

The Western Colorado University Foundation offers scholarships for this program. Explore eligibility requirements and funding opportunities.

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General Western Scholarships

The Western Colorado University Foundation offers scholarships for this program. Explore eligibility requirements and funding opportunities.

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Department News

Western Playwright Debuts ‘Singletrack, the Musical’ in Gunnison

After four years of writing in his spare time, Western Colorado University’s Director of Theater, Steven Cole Hughes, is ready to roll out his latest…
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“The Holly” Wins National Emmy

The Holly, a documentary written, directed, and produced by Julian Rubinstein, Filmmaker and Journalist-in-Residence at Western Colorado University, won the national award for Outstanding Regional…
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Marisela Ballesteros is Still a Bridge Between Two Worlds

Like many first-generation Americans, Marisela Ballesteros grew up blazing a trail. As the oldest child of Cora natives who emigrated to the United States from…
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Western professor Kevin J. Anderson co-produces DUNE, Part Two

“I am very pleased to keep working in this wonderful universe.” International bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson, director of Western Colorado University’s Graduate Program in…
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Pride Month, Tokenism, and Being Queer at Western

A Testimony from Natalie Edwards Pride Month Origins The first declaration of Pride Month was made in 1999 when President Clinton named June Gay and…
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Western Poetry Faculty Member Chosen for Prestigious Poetry Prize

GUNNISON, Colorado: Western Colorado University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) is pleased to announce that poet Eduardo Corral has selected out takes/glove box, an…
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Changing the World by Changing Yourself

Students in Western Colorado University’s Chapter of National Model United Nations (NMUN) returned to the Gunnison Valley from the NMUN conference on April 6th with…
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The 5th Annual Conference of Latin-American and Hispanic Topics

This year, Western Colorado University’s Spanish Program hosted the 5th annual Conference of Latin-American and Hispanic Topics. The conference included presentations given by students in…
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Western Professor to Tell Navajo Stories

Storytelling has been an important part of the education and culture of the Navajo—or Diné— people. A Western Colorado University film professor has received at…
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Radio Shipwrecked Airs its 300th Show

On one of his program trips to Belize, anthropology professor David Hyde, PhD., spent a majority of his time studying stone tools. One of his…
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Western Alumna Lands Big Laughs

The Greatest Preparation Possible Sometimes it’s the unexpected path that leads to great success. For comedian, writer and performer Betsy Sodaro, that path led her…
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Leadership and Experiential Learning Projects at Western

Leadership and experiential learning projects are one of the core components of the Western Colorado University experience. With program-specific clubs, on-campus events, off-campus trips, and…
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Western Film Highlights Impact of Siberian Fires

What started with the desire to educate the public about the validity of science grew into a full-blown documentary. Now, “Smoldering Ice,” a film made…
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Faculty & Staff

Kelsey L. Bennett, PhD

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

Jen Foster Caldwell, MA

Success Advisor, Lecturer in English

Matthew J. Van Cleave, PhD

Adjunct Lecturer

Kristin Costello, MEd

Lecturer in First-Year Writing

Steve Coughlin, MFA, PhD

Professor of English, Nature Writing & Poetry Faculty

Paul Edwards, PhD

Emeritus & Adjunct Professor

Matthew Evertson, PhD

Professor of English

Lorena Gómez, PhD

Professor of Spanish

John C. Hausdoerffer, PhD

Philosophy Program Coordinator, Professor of Philosophy

Tyson Hausdoerffer, PhD

Director, Graduate Program in Creative Writing; Faculty, Poetry Concentration

Heather Hughes

Artist-in-Residence, Instructor of Theatre

Jesse Isadore, MFA

Lecturer in First Year Writing

Douglas Jones

Lecturer in English

Brenda Lanphear, MFA

Director of the Writing Center, Lecturer in English, Teaching & Learning Center Support

Molly Mugglestone, MPA

Lecturer in English

Cindy Petito

Administrative Assistant III

Kyle Ratsch, MA

Lecturer in English

Julian Rubinstein, MS

Filmmaker and Journalist-in-Residence

Tamara Toomey, MS

Chair – Communication Arts, Languages and Literature and Lecturer in English

Kimberly Yadon, MFA

Director of the Teaching and Learning Center

Muhabbat Yakubova, PhD

Assistant Professor of Communication Arts

Marketa Zubkova, MA

Lecturer in Spanish

call@western.edu

Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231