News and Events

At the Department of Communication, we don’t just keep up with the world—we help shape it. From groundbreaking research to student honors and public engagement, our community is leading bold conversations and driving change. Check out what we’ve been up to lately:

In the news

Yini Zhang featured on Driven to Discover Podcast
10/7/25
Yini Zhang, Associate Professor, was featured on Driven to Discover, a podcast that explores innovative University at Buffalo research through candid conversations with the researchers about their inspirations and goals.
UB symposium to explore how social media and AI persuade
8/24/26
October symposium at UB will bring in national experts to discuss political persuasion, chatbots, AI governance and more.
Wang recognized for work on chatbot
8/24/26
Professor Wang shares her work on SnehAI, an AI-drivern chatbot.
Yotam Ophir featured in UBNow
7/1/26
Yotam Ophir, associate professor of communication and director of UB's Media Effects, Misinformation, and Extremism (MEME) Lab, was interviewed about his expertise on misinformation.
Janet Yang interviewed on new global reuse symbol
7/1/26
Professor Janet Yang was featured in Food & Wine Magazine!

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Celebration of Academic Excellence COM honorees
11/4/25
COM faculty were honored at the Celebration of Academic Excellence on October 29, 2025.
McKenzie Vorpahl featured as guest blogger
9/10/25
Checkout McKenzie's blog on SUNY Online Teaching.
Associated Press quotes Yotam Ophir
9/5/25
Yotam Ophir, Associate Professor was quoted in The Associated Press on a new corner of the internet.

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Department Announcements

Green and Feeley named SUNY Distinguished Professors
6/24/26
Congratulations to Professor and Chair, Melanie Green and Professor and Associate Dean, Tom Feeley on being named SUNY Distinguished Professors!
Janet Yang named ICA Fellow
6/10/26
Professor Janet Yang has been named a Fellow of the International Communication Association (ICA) for 2026. This is one of the most prestigious honors in communication research.
UB within top 30 of ShanghaiRankings
4/20/26
UB's Department of Communication was named #29 according to ShanghaiRankings for 2025.
Remembering Kenton Anderson
3/17/26
We are remembering Kenton Anderson, a PhD graduate and instructor from the UB Singapore program.
COM mourns the loss of Larry Singer
1/23/26
The Department of Communication mourns the loss of Lawrence (Larry) Singer who passed away on January 14, 2026.
New AI + Communication courses
8/18/25
The Department of Communication will offer a new degree, AI and responsible communication.
Yotam Ophir receives Chancellor's Horizon Award
6/6/25
Yotam Ophir, Associate Professor has been recognized as an awardee of the inaugural Chancellor’s Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship.
Janet Yang receives SUNY Chancellor's Award
6/6/25
Congratulations to Professor Janet Yang who was a recipient of the 2024 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence!
COM faculty selected as SUNY Online Teaching Ambassadors
3/3/25
Congratulations to Dr. Christine Tinnesz and Dr. McKenzie Vorpahl!
Dr. Janet Yang named Editor-in-Chief
2/28/25
Professor Janet Yang was selected as the Editor-in-Chief of Science Communication!