Courses Featuring the Global Career Accelerator

GCA Faculty

• ARTC 4314W - Professor Jeff Davis

  Why You Should enroll in ARTC-4314W the Communication Design Section of the Global Career Accelerator (GCA) under the guidance of ComDes Professor Jeff Davis.

  Are you ready to elevate your Communication Design skills and gain real-world experience that will set you apart in the job market? Enroll in my section of the Global Career Accelerator (GCA) and unlock unparalleled opportunities for your future career!

  Why is the GCA Valuable for Communication Design Majors?

  The GCA is an exceptional program that bridges the gap between academic learning and professional application. For Communication Design majors, this means you will:

  • Gain Practical Experience: Work on real projects with industry professionals, allowing you to apply your design skills in a practical setting.
  • Build a Strong Portfolio: Create a portfolio of work that showcases your ability to tackle real-world challenges, making you a standout candidate for future employers.
  • Expand Your Network: Connect with a network of professionals and peers who can provide valuable insights and opportunities in the design industry.
  • Earn College Credit: Receive academic credit while gaining hands-on experience, making your education more dynamic and impactful.

  Why We Recommend the GCA to Communication Design Students?

  As a Communication Design student, participating in the GCA will provide you with:

  • Enhanced Skillset: Develop advanced design skills and learn to use industry-standard tools and software. Additionally, I will be there to help non-Communication Design students navigate terminology and process questions.
  • Career Readiness: Gain insights into the latest trends and practices in the design industry, preparing you for a successful career.
  • Exclusive Opportunities: Access to exclusive internships and job opportunities through the GCA's extensive career network.

  Unique Expectations and Requirements

  While the GCA provides a comprehensive framework, I have a few additional expectations to ensure you get the most out of this experience:

  • Active Participation: Engage actively in all projects and discussions to maximize your learning and contribution.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with your peers and industry mentors to develop collaborative skills essential for the design field.
  • Creativity and Innovation: Bring your unique creative perspective to every project, pushing the boundaries of traditional design.

  My Unique Perspective and Experience

  As the instructor of record, I bring a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the GCA:

  • Industry Expertise: With three-decades of experience in the Communication Design field as a design lead and creative director, I provide insights into the industry's best practices and emerging trends.
  • Professional Network: Leverage my connections with industry professionals to gain mentorship and career guidance to set you apart when entering the competitive job market.
  • Passion for Teaching: My commitment to student success — from classroom to boardroom — ensures that you receive personalized support and guidance throughout the GCA program.

  Join my section of the GCA (ARTC-4314W) and take the first step towards a successful and fulfilling career in Communication Design or working alongside designers in your chosen profession. Let's create, innovate, and excel together!

• BA 4300 - Dr. Seth Frei

  About Dr. Frei: Dr. Seth Frei is the Assistant Dean and Chief of Staff at McCoy College of Business as well as a proud faculty member in the Management Department. He helps expand global opportunities for students and encourages them to engage beyond the classroom. As a faculty member, he has taught courses in leadership, communication, and business development, earning multiple teaching awards. He also conducts research and runs a communication consulting business, coaching MBA students and professionals. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, woodworking, and gardening.

  
  Why should students enroll in the Business Administration section of the Global Career Accelerator? The Global Career Accelerator is a valuable opportunity for business majors and students across all disciplines to build practical skills that complement their primary majors. For students within McCoy College, I strongly recommend this program because it provides hands-on experience with real-world projects—an essential advantage when securing future job opportunities.

  There are no additional requirements beyond the program itself, but I am committed to helping students connect their GCA experiences to their professional goals. Throughout the program, I will highlight how the skills you develop apply directly to your business careers. Every student’s path is unique, but my focus is on ensuring you see the value of these experiences in shaping your future success.

• ENG 3312 - Dr. Laura Ellis-Lai

  About Dr. Ellis-Lai: I’m Dr. Laura Ellis-Lai, a Professor of Instruction in the Department of English at Texas State University, where I’ve directed the English Internship Program and taught courses in technical writing, professional editing, qualitative research, and world literature. I have graduate degrees in English, education, and creative writing from UT-San Antonio, Harvard, and Texas State. My students describe me as warm, approachable, friendly, and helpful, and they love the clarity and organization of my online courses. I’ve earned some cool teaching awards, like the Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching (2022), the Liberal Arts Golden Apple Award in Teaching (2022), an Excellence in Online Teaching award (2021), and the San Marcos Daily Record’s “Best University Professor” reader’s choice award (2023). Before my teaching career, I worked for a small internet company near Silicon Valley, where I first fell in love with web-based programing for professional and self-development. 

  
  Why should students enroll in the English section of the Global Career Accelerator? Did you know that college students often take more than three to six months to find a job after graduation? Let’s work on speeding that up for you! My approach to facilitating this course is to guide and advise you as you develop the kinds of practical workplace skills and real-world experience you’ll need to network and land a great job soon after graduation. While your earlier college coursework has helped you become a critical thinker, close reader, and sharp communicator, this Global Career Accelerator course will help you take your career preparation to the next level! Students from all majors are warmly welcomed to sign up for this course. Questions? Please contact me at LE17@txstate.edu.

• MC 4336J and MC 5335 - Dr. Cindy Royal

  About Dr. Royal: Cindy Royal, Ph.D. is a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication teaching digital and data-driven media skills and concepts. She completed Ph.D. studies at The University of Texas at Austin in 2005, where she focused on the effects of the Internet on communication and culture. She has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Richmond and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2016, she founded the Media Innovation Lab and launched the undergraduate major in Digital Media Innovation (DMI). Graduates of the DMI program work in emerging roles at Microsoft, General Motors, Rackspace, Southwest Airlines and more. Dr. Royal is the recipient of several honors including Journalism and Mass Communication Teacher of the Year, presented by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, a John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University, Texas State's Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Service, and Regents' Teacher designation by the Texas State University System. Additional detail regarding her research, education and experience can be found at cindyroyal.com.

  
  Why should students enroll in the Mass Communication section of the Global Career Accelerator? The Global Career Accelerator program has increased our program's ability to provide in-demand technology skills across our majors in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. With technology rapidly advancing and dramatically changing the communication landscape, our students benefit from the skills and perspectives gained by working on real-world problems and providing technology solutions. Students who wish to work at the intersection of communication and technology benefit from exposure to the coding, data and digital marketing skills introduced in the GCA tracks, as well as the collaboration with professionals and students from other universities. 

  Students enrolling in the mass communication graduate section of the GCA will have an additional research requirement to complete to receive graduate credit for the course. 

  As instructor of record, Dr. Royal brings years of experience in teaching web and mobile development, user experience design and data visualization to evaluating the GCA program and assuring student success. She has worked closely with Podium personnel to comprehend and communicate program benefits and launch the School of Journalism and Mass Communication's sections of the GCA.

• PHYS 4321 - Dr. Stephen Ray

  About Dr. Ray: Professor Stephen P. Ray has been instructing physics courses for over ten years.  His favorite course to teach is Electromagnetic Theory where he assigns a coding project to solve boundary value problems and is learning how to use COMSOL for Finite Element Analysis to map electric potential inside dielectrics.  For introductory physics, he has a lively classroom with demonstrations and graphical analysis to study motion and thermodynamics.  Professor Ray is the husband of Theresa and father of eight children.  He enjoys a myriad of sports, woodworking, robotics, and completing puzzles.

  
  Why should students enroll in the Physics/College of Science and Engineering section of the Global Career Accelerator? Professor Ray's GCA section is marketed towards students in the College of Science and Engineering to fulfill an elective Science credit in their degree program.  It could fulfill a Science elective in other degree programs as well, just be sure to check with your advisor.  Not all students at Texas State will work on research with faculty, have a senior design project, or have a tangible project they can point to on their resume as proof of attained and applied skills.  The benefit of this class is the project-based learning accompanied by software certification resulting in a portfolio project that can point to application of skills you have attained.   While GCA does an amazing job with student support, Professor Ray is here to provide local help, particularly when it comes to data analytics.

• PSY 4396 - Dr. Robert McKelvain

  About Dr. McKelvain: Dr. Robert McKelvain has 50+ years of experience teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. At Texas State University, he teaches courses in research methods and sports performance psychology. He has been a consultant to programs of the U.S. Olympic Committee, World Cup and Major League Soccer, and university athletic programs. He is especially interested in workplace preparation for psychology and related majors.

  
  Why should students enroll in the Psychology section of the Global Career Accelerator? The Global Career Accelerator will open the door to digital technologies for psychology and related majors. Skill with digital and analytical technology, such as data analytics, statistical analysis, and artificial intelligence, will be a core advantage for a psychology major in the future workplace. Digital technology will be a powerful tool for applying psychology in marketing, product design, social media, human resources, and policy decision-making. Counselors and clinicians will use AI to improve client assessment, develop individualized treatment plans, and create virtual therapists and supportive chatbots. These applications improve access to isolated and underserved groups.

  The psychology major will be able to use these digital tools with knowledge of psychological research and theory, compassion, and respect for justice and ethical principles. As part of the course expectations, the PSY 4396 Internship in Psychology allows the participant to connect the new learning to other coursework and career plans in psychology and related fields.

  Psychology and the Global Career Accelerator