GONZAGA UNIVERSITY NEWS RELEASE
Dale Goodwin, Director of Public Relations
Peter Tormey, Associate Director
January 7, 2004
For a directory of Gonzaga news releases see:
http://www.gonzaga.edu/announcements

GONZAGA U. OFFERS NEW MASTER'S DEGREE
IN COMMUNICATION, LEADERSHIP STUDIES

Gonzaga University now offers a new Master of Arts degree in communication and leadership studies that is designed to meet the needs of working professionals and continuing students nationwide with courses offered on weekends, evenings and through the Internet.

In fitting with the program's mission to serve a national student audience, international scholars and professionals in the world of communication studies will be brought to campus, and there will be opportunities for international study and internships in various communication professions.

While the new program will begin offering a full complement of courses beginning in Fall 2004, interested students may begin taking courses leading to the degree now. An information session will be held from 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4 in the 1898 Room of the Administration Building. Applications can be downloaded at the program website www.gonzaga.edu/coml

The program is designed to provide graduate-level expertise for solving communication problems in modern organizations and social systems from a communication and leadership perspective. By their very nature, organizations depend upon complex communications for effective operation - formal and informal, and increasingly technologically based, communication networks. What is likely to distinguish the 21st century from the 20th is the unprecedented way in which communication and information technology have enabled creation of active networks linking individuals, functions and organizations that exchange messages and data on a regular basis. The program is grounded in both scientific and humanistic theory and methodology, global communication and ethics and is relevant for those seeking leadership in corporate communications, public relations, media management, media criticism, human resources, marketing, strategic planning, training and consulting, media literacy, community college teaching or doctoral work in communication.

"The communications revolution of the past 20 years has altered the way we live, think, organize and lead," said John Caputo, director of the new master's program. "Change itself has evolved. Tomorrow must not only be different, it needs to be better. Gonzaga University is in a unique position as an exemplary Jesuit university that combines the knowledge and insights of communication and leadership to prepare women and men to understand the impact of media convergence and to guide organizational choices for the common good in the 21st century."

The program, recently approved by Gonzaga's Board of Trustees, will focus on teamwork, communicating across cultures, and understanding and integrating all aspects of communication. It aims to be on the leading edge of convergence as traditional and emerging media outlets continue to expand and overlap. The program will be part of the School of Professional Studies.\

"We are excited about this new degree and what it can offer in the growing global field of communication and leadership," Caputo said. "The degree is unique to the Northwest. We will use the talents and resources of Gonzaga University as well as top visiting international scholars who will come to Gonzaga for intensive periods of lectures and workshops."

The degree is blended with the Gonzaga Master of Arts degree in organizational leadership, combining theory and practice into an integrated 36-credit program that can be completed in 18 to 24 months. The requirements for graduation include 24 credits of core courses; six credits of research, thesis or project courses, and six hours of electives. A thesis option is available for those continuing on to doctoral studies.

Tony Bonanzino, a recent Ph.D. graduate of Gonzaga's doctoral program in leadership studies and president and CEO of Hollister-Stier Laboratories in Spokane, said the program will be a boost for area businesses.

"A graduate program combining communication and leadership studies provides two of the most essential requirements in the modern organization," Bonanzino said. "This program defines those characteristics most necessary for a seamless transition from the academy to organizational life."

Dean Mary Mcfarland stated, "This new program is an opportunity for Gonzaga to further meet the educational needs of working professionals and to respond to a specific need identified by members of the business community. The program focus on communication and leadership will enhance the contributions graduates make to their organization."

GU Academic Vice President Stephen Freedman said he is enthusiastic about the new program.

"Graduates of this program will be equipped with new knowledge in leadership and communication to better serve the workplace and the community," Freedman said.

Gonzaga's School of Professional Studies also is home to the new Northwest Alliance for Responsible Media and the Center for Media Literacy Excellence - a partnership with the University of WashingtonThe Alliance's mission is to explore the influence of media on society through original research, to educate the region regarding media influence, and engage educators, government, churches, social and health service professionals and the media in developing and promoting media literacy education.

For more information on - or to register for - the master of arts in communication and leadership studies program at Gonzaga University, please call Kelli Piper at (509) 323-6645 or visit the program website at www.gonzaga.edu/coml