Communication has changed more in the last 10 years than it had in the century prior. With the rise of the Internet, social media, up-to-the-second journalism, micro-blogging and photo and video sharing, the ability to effectively communicate has become vastly more important in this fast-paced world.

At Lakeland College, we plan to go beyond the traditional study of communication to offer a unique curriculum that accentuates the growing role of new media in communication.

This makes our proposed 42-credit major one of the only communication programs in the region to specifically prepare students for the realities of the cultural and professional landscape created by new media, while staying true to the traditional study of communication that combines insights from creative and liberal arts, business, humanities and social studies. The program is currently awaiting approval.

At Lakeland, students majoring in communication will be able to choose one of two disciplines for their studies: rhetoric and public communication or professional communication.

Regardless of your chosen emphasis, you will learn to develop your public speaking, writing and critical thinking skills, and become an engaged and ethical communicator, preparing you for a wide array of careers, including public relations, journalism, web content creation and analysis, public policy research, marketing, human resources, corporate communications, labor relations, and speechwriting.

Others will find that a degree in communication also provides a solid foundation for continuing one's education with a professional degree in law or business, or a graduate degree in arts, humanities or social sciences.

Major & Minor Requirements▶

Communication Faculty

John McKenzie

John McKenzie is an Instructor of Communication at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis. At Lakeland, McKenzie heads the Communication program and teaches a variety of communication courses at all levels.

Coming to Lakeland as a native of Texas, McKenzie holds a B.A. in Speech Communication and an M.A. in Communication from Texas A&M University, and he is currently a doctoral (Ph.D.) candidate in Communication at the University of Texas at Austin.

A passionate teacher, McKenzie describes his mission as an educator as "activating students' minds toward their potential for new knowledge, skills, and critical engagement with the world around them."

He constantly strives to develop examples in the classroom that reflect the global community, noting that being attuned to our social and cultural pluralities is a crucial part of promoting success for our students here at Lakeland.

McKenzie has published research on professional communication skills, communication ethics, and the rhetorical theories of Kenneth Burke and has given more than two dozen research presentations at national and regional conferences about rhetoric, new and traditional media, cultural studies, political communication, and ideology, among other topics.

McKenzie's professional affiliations include the Rhetoric Society of America, National Communication Association, and Central States Communication Association.

Phone: (920) 565-1526
Email: mcKenziej@lakeland.edu
Location: Main Campus
Office: WAK 306
Majors Taught:
Communication
Communication (minor)
Academic Divisions:
Creative Arts