The Institute for Hispanic and International Communication

Mission

The Institute for Hispanic and International Communication (IHIC), a new initiative of the College of Mass Communications at Texas Tech University, promotes research and better understanding of Hispanic-related and international mass communication and the significant connections between them. The IHIC researchers’ goal is to inform and interact with groups including community organizations, representatives of communication industries, students and fellow researchers. The Institute supports on-campus activities and interdisciplinary collaboration as well as relationships with external organizations. Initially, the Institute for Hispanic and International Communication will take a regional focus with the objective of becoming a key repository for Hispanic-related mass communication research in Texas and the U.S. Southwest. As our experience and resources grow, we will broaden our attention to the entire Western Hemisphere. 

Advancing Academics

The IHIC’s principal mission is supporting education and research which we pursue by:

• Offering Hispanic-related and international communication courses at Texas Tech.
• Supporting Hispanic-related and international communication research at Texas Tech through outreach, collaborations and grant writing.
• Identifying pertinent research on Hispanic and international communication.
• Funding lectures, media screenings, and other events relevant to the goals and objectives of the Institute.
• Collaboration with researchers in other academic departments of Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
• Active involvement in university efforts to recruit and retain Hispanic and international students pursuing mass communications degrees.
• Facilitating international exchange of faculty and students.

Resources

Affiliated faculty and Graduate Students

EM&C 6315: Ethnic-Oriented Media

Links

Contact us

Grant information

Grant Rules

Graduate Grant Application

Informing and Interacting with Industry

The Institute’s faculty and graduate students strive to develop and maintain mutually-beneficial relationships with media organizations in the commercial and non-profit sectors by:

• Providing basic information regarding demographic and mass communication trends and preferences among Hispanics in Texas and the U.S. Southwest.
• Identifying pertinent research on trends of Hispanic and international communication.
• Helping place promising young professionals in internships and jobs related to Hispanic and/or international communication. Sponsoring faculty and student attendance at professional conferences.
• Encouraging industry and non-profit representatives to attend College lectures and other events. Connecting with Community IHIC-affiliated faculty and students understand that many academic endeavors may benefit individuals and communities. We encourage service to the community through
• Active involvement in university efforts to recruit and retain Hispanic students who will become community leaders.
• Participation in outreach events such as back-to-school fairs and education summits sponsored by the Texas Tech alumni group, Raiders Rojos.
• Involvement in collaborative research with the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center to improve public understanding of threatening diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

Institute Activities in 2008-09

* Organized and co-sponsored “Hispanic Media and Audiences: Professional and Academic Perspectives” in April, 2009. The colloquium included two keynote addresses, workshops led by industry professionals, academic paper presentations and two film screenings including discussions with the directors.

* Together with the Center for Communications Research conducted focus groups and a state-wide survey to support recruiting high school students to health careers (www.texashotjobs.org).

* Obtained grant funding to bring students and their parents from West Texas high schools to campus to learn about the College of Mass Communications and the university.

* Provided funding for graduate student travel as well as Institute-related organizations affiliated with Texas Tech.