EIU School of Communication and Journalism

The Agency

The Agency is a student-run public relations firm where students have the opportunity to build their portfolios and gain professional experience through writing, designing and publishing newsletters, working on PR campaigns, and handling newsblogs and social media.

Dr. Claudia Janssen Danyi oversees The Agency.  She can be reached in Buzzard 2544, at 217-581-5625, or at cijanssen@eiu.edu.

Lambda Pi Eta is the honorary for top students in the Department of Communication Studies. The EIU chapter of LPE is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of at least 3.0 overall and 3.25 within the major.

The honorary sponsors a number of activities during the year including speakers, programs, service projects, end-of-term stress busters and panel discussions on communication-related issues.

For more information about Lambda Pi Eta, contact Dr. Chigozirim Sodeke at ciutah@eiu.edu.

Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

For more information, contact Dr. Lola Burnham at laburnham@eiu.edu.

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide.

For more information, contact Dr. Ensung Kim at ekim2@eiu.edu.

The Society for Collegiate Journalists helps to build leadership skills among student journalists. It also offers budding journalists the opportunity to have their work judged by professionals in the field during its annual national contest.

For more information, contact Dr. Ensung Kim at ekim2@eiu.edu.

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is for students interested in the study of public relations. EIU maintains a chapter committed to cultivating a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between college students and professional public relations practitioners. The goals are:

1. Foster student understanding of current theories and procedures.
2. Encourage student adherence to the highest ideals and principles of the practice of public relations.
3. Instill a professional attitude in the student.
4. Make evident and desirable associate membership and eventually full and accredited membership in the Public Relations Society of America.

The benefits of membership include:

• Establishing internship leads.
• Attending national conventions.
• Making career contacts with PR professionals.
• Hearing current information from PR professionals.
• Working with instructors who have career insights.
• Gaining practical PR experience by designing newsletters, contacting guest speakers and organizing events and activities.

For more information, contact Dr. Claudia Janssen Danyi, at cijanssen@eiu.edu.

Since 2012, the Alternative Television and Film Club (Alt TV) has existed as a space for those interested in developing as television and film producers. The club welcomes aspiring writers, directors, actors, and musicians at any skill level to become a part of this organization. Several past members have gone on to work in the television, film, and video industries.

At the end of every semester, the club sequences the videos into a single quality episode of television and they screen off-campus at a well-attended event. Students, faculty, staff, community members, and everyone are welcome to attend the free screening.