The Communication faculty study communication practices ranging from oral and written language, audio and video media, to digital narratives. The department is organized around three broad areas of research - argument and rhetorical studies, interpersonal communication, and media studies - and these interests bring together faculty with a broad range of backgrounds and expertise.

Since 2000, the Communication faculty have won or shared the following awards recognizing outstanding scholarly research or excellence in the classroom:

Distinguished Research Award - International Visual Literacy Association

Distinguished Scholar Award - Broadcast Education Association

Distinguished Service Award - American Forensic Association

Everett Lee Hunt Award - Eastern Communication Association

Franklyn S. Haiman Award - National Communication Association

Golden Anniversary Monograph Award - National Communication Association

Greg Phifer Award - Committee on Parliamentary Procedure

James Madison Award - Southern Communication Association

Karl Wallace Memorial Award - National Communication Association

Past President's Award - Eastern Communication Association

Randy Majors Award - National Communication Association

Robert M. O'Neill Award - National Communication Association

Stanton Fellow Award - International Radio & Television Society Foundation

William Holmes McGuffey Award - Textbook and Academic Authors Association