SOC Student Organizations

SOC Student Ambassadors (Undergraduate)

The SOC Student Ambassadors are a select group of current undergraduate students in the School of Communication who work toward the recruitment of new students and creating community for current students. They support and promote the SOC by serving on student panels during prospective student days to highlight the strengths of SOC, facilitating prospective student meetings with SOC academic advisors, giving tours of SOC facilities to prospective students and families, assisting with event planning for SOC, and representing the SOC student body at University meetings and functions. They also create events and activities to help SOC students get to know one another, their SOC professors, and SOC advisors. Learn more

Recruitment for new SOC Student Ambassadors takes place each fall semester. If you are interested in applying, fill out the application available here and submit it to Jill Heitzmann, Senior Advisor for Recruitment and Retention, in MGC 314A or at jill@american.edu.

SOC Undergraduate Student Council

The School of Communication Undergraduate Council is the primary board for undergraduate students that study in the School of Communication to discuss future events and ideas for their fellow colleagues. The Council is responsible for putting on and promoting events that highlight work in journalism, film and media arts, public relations, and communication studies. All SOC students are welcome to participate.

SOC Graduate Student Council

The School of Communication Graduate Student Council is the board for graduate students who attend the School of Communication to plan future events and discuss ideas for their fellow colleagues. The Council is responsible for promoting and hosting events that highlight work in all aspects of communication studies including journalism, film & media arts and public relations. In addition to these events, the Council also plans group outings that promote cross pollination of all the majors within the SOC as well as opportunities to network with successful alumni. Learn more

Kappa Tau Alpha 

Kappa Tau Alpha is the national honor society that recognizes and encourages high academic achievement in the study of journalism and mass communication. KTA was founded in 1910 at the University of Missouri and counts more than 90 chapters across the United States. AU's chapter of KTA dates to 1966. SOC Professor W. Joseph Campbell is adviser of the AU chapter. He also serves as KTA national president. His term runs 2010-2012.  

KTA membership at AU is earned by demonstrated excellence in the study of Journalism or Communication Studies. Candidates for membership typically are juniors and seniors who rank in the top reaches of their respective classes. Candidates must have completed at least nine semester hours of professional courses in the major. Learn more

AU Student Organizations Related to SOC Fields of Study

American University Social Media Club  

The American University Social Media Club's mission is to create a network of social media users, to advance media literacy, encourage ethical behavior online, learn from media professionals, share the lessons they have learned, and advocate for revolutionary new teaching methods utilizing social media and new technologies within American University. Learn more

American Literary Magazine (AmLit)

American Literary, commonly known as AmLit, is the American University literary magazine. AmLit is a student-run organization, publishing their magazine twice per year at the end of the fall and spring semesters. AmLit is comprised of poetry, short stories, photos and art submitted by the campus community. Learn more

ATV 

ATV is the student-run television station at AU. They produce nearly a dozen original television programs ranging from coverage of campus and local news, talk shows, comedy and entertainment.  All programs are hosted, produced, edited, and managed by students.  Students are also responsible for the management of the station, its studios and its technical equipment. ATV’s programming airs 24 hours a day on campus channels 2 and 15, and also via an online live stream on their website. They also publish shows as video podcasts listed on iTunes, and publish highlights from shows as clips on YouTube. Learn more

AU Film Society

The AU Film Society is a club primarily designed to help facilitate networking amongst undergraduate and graduate film students, SOC film and media professors and staff, and AU students with a passion for film and filmmaking.  The Film Society is also responsible for hosting film related events on campus, including networking junctions, screenings, and speakers.  Past speakers have included actors Edward Norton, Topher Grace, and Dan Fogler.  Film Society is open to all SOC students, regardless of major. Learn more

American Way of Life Magazine (AWOL) 

AWOL is a progressive magazine run by American University students. AWOL exists to ignite campus discussion of social, cultural, and political issues, and serve as an outpost for students to explore solutions to local and global problems. AWOL staff hope to build bridges between American University and the world around it, ultimately making our campus more inquiring, egalitarian and socially engaged. Learn more

American Word Magazine (AmWord) 

AmWord is a news publication magazine that fosters a greater common understanding in the American University community and that provides staff and members with a valuable learning experience in both print and online. Learn more

Catalyst 

Catalyst, American University's science magazine, is designed to inform you about scientific research and results that affect us all. Catalyst is written by students, features many student projects, and aims to spark the scientific imagination of the AU community. Learn more

Eagle Droppings 

Eagle Droppings is American University's official comedy/satire media organization.  As American's newest media organization, ED borrows inspiration from professional satire organizations including the Onion, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  Our goal?  To make you laugh! Learn more

Her Campus – American University 

Her Campus is an online magazine for college women, individualizing its content college-by-college by establishing My Campus branches at schools across the country. With national content on Style, Beauty, Health, Love, Life, and Career, supplemented by campus-specific content produced by teams of students at 200+ colleges across the country, Her Campus serves as a hub for everything college women need to know about today. Learn more

Online News Association Club 

American University's Chapter of the Online News Association is one of three inaugural student chapters nationwide. Members will learn about careers in online journalism, hear from experts in the field and work on various projects. Learn more about student ONA chapters

PRSSA

PRSSA is designed to cultivate a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners. It aims to foster an understanding of current theories and procedures of the profession, appreciation of the highest ethical ideals and principles, awareness of an appropriate professional attitude and appreciation of Associate Membership in PRSA and eventually accredited membership. Learn more

The Eagle 

The Eagle is the officially recognized student newspaper of AU, editorially independent of the University in terms of content and nature, finances, staff elections and appointments.   

The Eagle's purpose is to inform and to educate the American University community maintaining a consistent, relevant, quality flow of news about the University and the surrounding community, as well as other news of interest. Learn more

The Talon Yearbook 

The Talon is an undergraduate student run publication.  It is a book that recounts the history of a specific year.  Since the printing of the first issue in 1927, the staff of The Talon has worked to include in its pages every aspect of the American University campus as well as of our nation and our world. Learn more

WVAU 

WVAU is American University’s student radio station. We broadcast online 24/7 from the Mary Graydon Center in Washington, D.C. Our live programming covers the best in indie, hip-hop, electronica, experimental, jazz, folk, world music, and more. With a staff of more than 80 DJs and volunteers, we offer a unique musical perspective that you won’t find anywhere else. 

Every semester, WVAU brings in local and touring artists for interviews, in-studio performances, and free shows. We also host monthly open mic nights to showcase AU’s talented students and faculty. All of our events are free and open to the public. Learn more