ProCom celebrates 5 years of the MPC program

The School of Professional Communication celebrated five years of the Master of Professional Communication program at the exclusive event, From Cave to Cloud, in October 2015.

By: Danielle Taylor, MPC 2015

Although not traditionally considered an art form, the practice of professional communication is challenging to master. That’s why on October 22, the Ryerson School of Professional Communication held an event to celebrate its fifth graduating cohort of the MPC program.

The event, entitled From Cave to Cloud: The Evolution of Professional Communication, offered guests an opportunity to meet current students and new graduates, connect with new and old alumni, and hear from thought leaders on the future of professional communication.

Keynote speaker Dr. Theomary Karamanis, a professor at Cornell University and former ProCom adjunct professor, shared insights and perspectives on the evolving demands of the profession. In her talk, she highlighted that despite today’s obsession with technology, innate human tendencies always prevail in relationship building.

Dr. Karamanis explained that while selfies and emojis reflect our penchant for self-indulgence and oral culture, communication may be destined to go from cave to cloud and back again.

Catriona Smart, brand expert and founder of lifestyle blog Coco & Cowe, also hosted a panel discussion with MPC alumni from all five cohorts. Alumni have gone on to careers working in public relations, digital media, government relations, nonprofits, and many more distinct industries. Graduates spoke about communication trends and challenges, and reflected on the aspects of the MPC program that have served them the most in their careers.

Posters from alumni Major Research Papers, a core MPC requirement, were also on display at the event. This aspect of the MPC curriculum allows students to creatively express their research findings using graphic design and is one of the key interdisciplinary elements that makes the program so unique.

The celebration was a true reflection of the advancement of communication today, as demonstrated by the growing number of MPC alumni and five-year milestone achieved by the dynamic program.