Engage in Research and Scholarly Communication
USCB's Communication Studies program provides meaningful opportunities for students and faculty to engage in research and share their work with academic and professional audiences. Whether analyzing media messages, exploring intercultural communication, or studying group dynamics, students and faculty find support to develop and present their original research beyond the classroom.
Students are encouraged to:
- Work closely with faculty mentors to design and refine original research projects
- Present posters and papers at local, regional, and national academic conferences
- Develop professional communication skills through conference participation and peer review
- Showcase work at USCB’s annual Student Research and Scholarship Day, highlighting undergraduate research across disciplines
- Represent USCB at Discovery Day, the University of South Carolina system’s spring
research expo in Columbia
These experiences help students strengthen critical thinking and public speaking skills, build professional networks, and prepare for graduate studies or careers that value evidence-based communication and analysis.
Student Research and Scholarship Day
USCB Communication Studies students often present independent research at the university's
annual Student Research and Scholarship Day on the Bluffton campus.
"Mental Health in Collegiate Athletes"
Aaliyah Newman, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"Mental Health in Collegiate Athletes"Aaliyah Newman, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"Communication and the College Experience"Emma Gilman, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"Sports Information Directors: The Unsung Heroes of College Athletics"Jessica Edwards, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"How Should Conservation Organizations Frame and Communicate the Issue of Genetic
Manipulation in Game-Farm Mallards"Forrest Simmons, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"The Real Power of Superheroes!"Collin Best, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"Breaking the Narrative: The Impact of Hispanic Stereotypes in the U.S."Abigail Ramirez, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"Unequal Coverage: Gender Disparities in Sports Media Representation"Tyrone Johnson Jr., mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"How does the media portrayal/ Communication of NBA players be named as "the Goat"
or "not the Goat", impact the way people/ fans view the game or players?”"Michael Johnson, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"Teachers Embracing Multilingual Learner (MLL) Experience"Celeste Cruz-Reyes, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"Revealing the Strategic Self-Branding Tactics: A Proposal on Athletes at Smaller
Schools and their Aspiring Promotional Endeavors in Modern Media Culture"Ellie Fielding, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer
"Building Trust in Sales: Communication Strategies for Credibility and Client Relationships"Ryan Stansell, mentored by Dr. Caroline Sawyer