Faculty Profile: Introducing Professor Mark Glantz

In Fall 2025, the Communication Studies Department welcomed Assistant Professor Mark Glantz. Professor Glantz returns to Upstate New York after spending his recent years teaching in the Midwest in Wisconsin, Missouri, and elsewhere. Glantz specializes in crisis communication and public relations image repair. He earned a BA in Communication at SUNY Oneonta, an MA in Communication at SUNY Brockport, and his Ph.D. at University of Missouri-Columbia.

As an assistant professor, Glantz is teaching two courses this fall semester, Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility and Nonprofit Leadership and Communication. His teaching style includes creating a safe and laid-back atmosphere where student can understand and build an appreciation for the study of communication.

“I believe that students learn more when students are enjoying themselves and when they have fondness and respect for the instructor . . . I do think people learn more from people that they like. I try to create a laid-back atmosphere that can be fun and has a chance to build community in an organic way.” Glantz hopes that this helps students feel eager and willing to contribute to good discussions and learn the material and about each other.

Glantz brings an interdisciplinary lens to the study of communication and political science. His thesis and dissertation were a rhetorical analysis of political strategy that were compelling for its time period. From exploring the rhetorical impact of President Obama’s 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech had on President Donald Trump, catalyzing his decision to run for president, to analyzing electoral campaigns in 2009 that had been accused of “flip-flopping”, a tactic considered aggressive for its time period. Professor Glantz remains passionate about political communication and looks forward to offering this study as a course in upcoming semesters, bridging theory and practice into the classroom.

At his previous institution, St. Norbert College, Professor Glantz was an active and engaged member of the campus community. He has carried that spirit of involvement to SUNY New Paltz, where he serves on faculty committees. He serves on the Programming Committee, where he helps organize departmental events including social gatherings, alumni panels, and networking opportunities for students. He also sits on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Committee, contributing to academic initiatives across the college. As a graduate professor, Glantz serves as a representative for Graduate Student Open House for the Communication Department.

Professor Glantz is enjoying his time here in the Hudson Valley. Residing in Highland, Glantz is planning on settling down in Ulster County with his wife and family. After living in Wisconsin for the last 10 years, Glantz is grateful to be back on the East coast and has developed a growing appreciation for the area’s food and natural beauty. Glantz is also excited to be closer to family that are now only a couple hours away.

Since joining SUNY New Paltz, Glantz has quickly become a vital part of the campus community. His early and enthusiastic engagement reflects a deep commitment to both institutional service and student success. He looks forward to what lies ahead and is excited to continue growing alongside his students.

Romance Writers of America® Strategic Communication Internship — Apply Today!!

Are you passionate about storytelling, digital communication, and advocating for creative professionals? Romance Writers of America® (RWA)’s Strategic Communication internship offers hands-on experience in nonprofit communication, public relations, and advocacy campaigns. This position is ideal for students interested in gaining real-world experience in strategic messaging, content creation, and community engagement within the publishing and literary industry.

Through this internship program, students will gain practical experience developing and implementing communication strategies that advance RWA’s mission to support romance writers and increase public awareness of the romance genre. Interns will work remotely for the duration of the internship with weekly virtual meetings and ongoing mentorship.

Interns Will:
● Develop strategic communication materials for member advocacy campaigns.
● Create content for RWA’s website, newsletters, and digital platforms.
● Research and write press releases about industry trends and RWA initiatives.
● Assist with social media content creation and community engagement.
● Support public awareness campaigns to promote the romance genre.
● Conduct research on publishing industry trends and literacy initiatives.
● Draft talking points and messaging frameworks for organizational leadership.
● Assist with event promotion and member communication strategies.
● Collaborate with team members to enhance RWA’s brand presence.
● Analyze communication metrics and prepare performance reports.

Qualifications and Requirements:

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills
● Knowledge and experience with social media platforms and digital communication tools
● Strong research and analytical skills
● Self-directed independent worker with a strong work ethic who enjoys collaborative teamwork
● Currently pursuing or holding a degree in Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, English, or a related field
● Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
● Interest in the publishing industry, nonprofit advocacy, or literary organizations
● Familiarity with best practices in social media
● Understanding of or interest in romance literature and publishing industry trends
● Experience with graphic design tools (Canva preferred) for content creation

Time Commitment and Location:
This internship program requires a minimum 15-hour per week commitment (120 hours total for 3-credit internship) with flexible scheduling based on academic calendar requirements. The internship is conducted remotely, and meetings will be scheduled on a weekly basis.
Additional one-on-one mentoring sessions will be scheduled as needed with the Executive Director of RWA.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this internship, students will have developed competencies in:
● Develops Strategic Communication Plans: Creates messaging frameworks that align with organizational mission and goals.
● Produces Digital Content: Creates engaging content across multiple platforms and audiences using various digital tools.
● Executes Public Relations Activities: Writes press releases, manages media relations, and communicates with stakeholders effectively.
● Implements Advocacy Communication: Crafts persuasive messaging for policy and industry advocacy campaigns.
● Applies Nonprofit Communication Strategies: Demonstrates understanding of unique communication challenges and opportunities in the nonprofit sector.
● Analyzes Industry Trends: Evaluates publishing industry developments and literary community dynamics to inform strategic decisions

This internship does not offer monetary compensation. RWA provides college credit opportunities and will work with students and their academic institutions to complete all necessary paperwork for credit requirements.

This internship offers invaluable hands-on experience in strategic communication within a nationally recognized literary organization. Interns become integral members of the RWA communication team, contributing meaningfully to campaigns that directly impact thousands of professional writers. The experience provides excellent networking opportunities within the publishing industry and the nonprofit sector.

Additional Benefits:
● Professional mentorship from experienced communication professionals and authors
● Access to RWA’s professional development resources and industry connections
● Letter of recommendation upon successful completion
● Opportunity to attend virtual RWA events and workshops
● Portfolio development with real-world campaign materials and published content

Application Instructions:
To apply, please email the following materials to admin@rwa.org with the subject line “Strategic Communication Internship Application”:
● Current resume
● Cover letter explaining your interest in strategic communication and the romance writing industry

Communication Isn’t Just Human Anymore — Explore AI’s Role in CMM 493

Explore the Future of Communication: Enroll in CMM 493 – AI and Communication (Fall 2025)!
Curious about how artificial intelligence is shaping the way we connect, work, and communicate? Join us this Fall for CMM 493 – AI and Communication, a senior-level course open to all students interested in understanding the evolving role of AI in our lives. There are no prerequisites to enroll in the course (cannot be a first-year student).
In this course, you’ll explore:
  • How AI is changing communication in relationships, workplaces, and media campaigns
  • The major terms, tools, and applications of AI
  • How AI compares to human communication
  • The history and current uses of AI in communication
  • Big ethical questions about the future of AI—and how we can build frameworks to guide it responsibly
This class is hands-on, discussion-based, and designed to connect AI to real-world communication challenges. Whether you’re studying organizational leadership, media, public relations, or just curious about AI’s impact, this course offers fresh insights and practical knowledge you can apply anywhere.
Why take CMM 493?
  • It counts as a concentration elective for Communication Studies students in Organizational, Relational, or Strategic Communication.
  • It’s designed for advanced students across a range of majors—no advanced tech skills required!
  • It’s lively, engaging, and gives you a chance to debate, create, and critically explore the future of technology and society.
Course Description:
This course explores artificial intelligence (AI) through human communication frameworks. Students will examine AI terminology, applications, and the effects of AI on relational, organizational, and strategic communication. The course also addresses ethical challenges AI poses and invites students to develop their own frameworks for managing communication with AI technologies.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
  • Understand key AI concepts and their connection to communication theories.
  • Compare human and machine communication styles and abilities.
  • Analyze how AI has developed historically and what it means for communication today.
  • Evaluate the ethical, relational, and strategic issues raised by AI technologies.
  • Propose your own strategies for ethically managing communication challenges in an AI-driven world.
Sign up for CMM 493 this Fall 2025 and be part of the conversation about the future of communication!
CRN: 640

Media Internship Opportunity!

Located in Warwick, NY, bespoke candle company, Scripted Fragrance, is looking for students with graphic design and video editing skills to join their team as an intern assisting with social media strategy, content creation and post management for both Instagram and TikTok. This opportunity may be of particular interest to Media Management and Strategic Communication students.
The successful candidate must be a self starter who takes ownership and pays attention to detail.
To apply, please send your resume and a brief statement of interest to co-founder, Amberlee Isabella, at amberlee@scriptedfragrance.com.

Alumni Profile: A Thoughtful Interview with Alumna Maddy Shannon, Coordinator of SEFA and Subsequent Florida State University Grad Student

Interviewed by Jacob Graham-Bialer
Maddy Shannon is a SUNY New Paltz Strategic Communication graduate who has held numerous positions. She has been the cashier team leader at Bagels and Bites, front desk agent at Hasbrouck House, and Donor Development Intern and Coordinator at United Way of Dutchess and Orange counties. She hopes to earn a graduate degree in Integrated Marketing and Management Communications. Throughout her various occupations, Shannon has been a stalwart learner, and she excels in the field of communications—both written and verbal.

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Introducing the MA in Strategic Communication: Seniors Can Take Graduate Courses!

The Department of Communication is excited to announce the launch of its graduate degree, Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, beginning Spring 2024. This program caters to both traditional students and working professionals. The program is entirely new and still accepting students for the Spring 2024 semester! As a whole, it focuses on facilitating conversations, communication theory, conducting research, and most importantly, real-world application. graphic about grad program Continue reading