The Cleveland State University School of Communication (SOC) held an open house Oct. 20 for prospective students and their families to get information on career paths and majors. The event also gave members of the campus community a chance to see the inner workings of the school. 

Throughout the day, professors Dave Tarbert, John Ban, and Robert Whitbred, Ph.D., were working with students and community partners to produce interview for broadcast on Cleveland Conversations, part of the course work associated with the SOC's broadcast minor. 

Among its projects, the minor produces Cleveland Conservations in partnership with Classic Teleproductions. Backed by CTP's professional crews, the broadcasting students and SOC faculty have produced interviews with dozens of guests, including on open house Cleveland State’s own President Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D.

“It’s going to be an action-packed day,” Ban said, just prior to filming the interview with President Bloomberg.

During the open house, broadcasting students were constantly in action, producing interviews, running cameras, lights and audio for four guests from 10:15-1:15 PM. Apart from Bloomberg, on set on the day were Sharon Jordan with United Way Cleveland, Representatives of TEDx, and the Creative Director of the Singing Angels.

“It’s been a blast to put on these shows for people, I hope more stop by,” said senior Derek Williams, a student in the broadcasting minor doing camera work for Cleveland Conversations.

Showing off the broadcast minor gave students and visitors observing the department an inside look at the course work the SOC offers during the semester.

Public Relations, Communication Studies, and Journalism students were also on hand on the day to offer information for prospective students, and for current CSU students looking to expand their courses. 

SOC professors Elizabeth Pask, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Thomas, Ph.D., were also available throughout the event, providing information and materials for those interested.

“Anyone can stop by anytime, even outside of the open house,” Dr. Thomas said.

Both professors made it a point to mention to students that this event was also an opportunity for already existing students to meet with professors to talk about anything related to their academic careers.

Anup Kumar, Ph.D., currently serving as the SOC chair, hosted facilities tours for prospective communications majors. He showed what the school has to offer by making stops at various computer labs, and the SOC's podcast studio and video production studio where the Cleveland Conversations interviews were being held.

The Open House was the first event of its kind on this scale since Kumar was appointed SOC chair beginning in fall 2026.

“This was more of a practice run, but the tours were successful," Dr. Kumar said. "We’re hoping to make it bigger and better next year."

Prospective and current students made the most of the day, peppering faculty and staff on content production, course work, internships and professional networking opportunities. 

Faculty urged students to explore the school's offerings further, as only a fraction of what the SOC offers was on display during the open house. A visiting high school student from Massillon, Ohio, summed up the day and her thoughts about coming to CSU.

"It's my first choice," she said on wrapping up her visit.