Research is more important to our college’s mission than ever before. Although we will never lose sight of our educational mission, scholarly research that examines fundamental questions of human communication - whether it’s face-to-face or through screens big and small - is essential to building our reputation both on campus and beyond. Everywhere you look, signs of our research success can be found.

Consider our best asset—the faculty. Without exception, our college continues to attract the best and brightest scholars whose cutting-edge research is helping to boost our visibility as an emerging leader in the discipline. Consider just one example featured later in this magazine, the work of Eric Rasmussen, Ph.D., examining children’s media. CoMC is home to Eric and many more faculty whose research is equally impressive.

Our Center for Communication Research is more proof of CoMC’s commitment to research. The CCR is among the country’s best facilities for studying virtually all aspects of communication, and its labs contain a comprehensive array of cutting-edge research technologies to study an endless number of communication questions.

Another marker of our research success is the strategic partnerships we are building across campus and beyond. Communication is a universal phenomenon, and examining how to effectively present information across a variety of contexts is what we do best. As such, our faculty are involved in campus-wide groups tackling some of the biggest challenges facing society today—obesity, drought and environmental issues, and health education, just to name a few.

One objective measure of the college’s increased research success is to track our applications for funding through federal, state and private foundations. Funding requests have doubled over the past five years, surpassing $2 million in 2014.

These all point to one undeniable conclusion: CoMC’s research mission continues to gain momentum with no signs of slowing down. We should all be proud to be a part of this hard-working, ambitious team.

What a wonderful year it has been getting to know alumni and friends of the College of Media & Communication. It has been an honor to meet many of you, hear your success stories, and see the impact the college and Texas Tech University have had on your career paths. I realize your time is precious and valuable and cannot thank you enough for your hospitality, excitement and support.

If there is one word to sum up my year at CoMC, it would be “family.” The support I have received through our college, the university and the system has been amazing. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of your family and look forward to sharing many years with you.

There is no question as to whom we serve at Texas Tech. Students are always top of mind, and our teams are always striving to determine how to better equip and prepare students for life and the workforce.

Our faculty, alumni and friends continue to make sure students have opportunities to succeed by providing research, internships, competitions, training, travel opportunities, scholarships and more.

With our college rapidly growing, it is important to continue to build on our resources. It is my privilege to get to know and work with all of you, understand your passions, and help you reach fulfillment in continuing to support and make differences here at CoMC. I am excited for the opportunity to join you in your journeys and celebrate the harvest with you, when that season comes.

Thank you for your heart for others and your determination to see that CoMC and Texas Tech continue to flourish and produce the very best!