In the relatively short time since its conception, the Communication and Development Studies has seen remarkable success. Dr. Josep Rota, a previous director of the Center for International Studies and the faculty member who directed the program through most of its first decade, said it took less than a year to bring the program from concept to actuality.
Dr. Rota and his colleagues, mostly in the School of Telecommunications, started talking about a new communication and development studies program in 1984, but most of the real work was done between 1985 and 1986. “How we did it in one year I still do not know, but the fact is we did it and in September of 1986 the first two students entered the program.”
Appropriately, one of those two students, Dr. Vibert Cambridge, succeeded Dr. Rota as the next director of the program. Dr. Rota said the students who have come through the program are probably the most important resource the program has. “We have attracted really extraordinary human beings - students who have been a wonderful resource for the program, for the faculty, for the other students and have gone on to wonderful careers.”
In the fall of 2001, Dr. Drew McDaniel of the School of Telecommunications took over as director of the CommDev program. "The key to the success of our program is the marriage of two areas of excellence at Ohio University - the College of Communication and the Center for International Studies - to build a unique synergy."
Dr. David Mould, Professor of Telecommunications, assumed directorship of CommDev in July 2002. "CommDev continues to attract people who are deeply committed to social change and to helping others. We're working to prepare professionals who have the practical skills, the adaptability and the cultural sensitivity to work anywhere in the world, and we're really proud that our graduates are making a difference - in areas from public health and education to the environment and human rights," says Dr. Mould. "It's a complex world - globalization and media technology present as many problems as opportunities. But I'm confident that CommDev students are ready to meet these challenges."
In fall of 2006, Dr. Rafael Obregon took over as a Director of CommDev program. The turn of the 21st century has brought with it new and daunting challenges especially when it comes to redefining human development. The conundrum, however, of where the world might have gone wrong in terms of development may be resolved by training more development communicators. The CommDev Director muses, “CommDev studies will continue attracting top students from all over the world and contributing to the solution of global development problems through our alumni and faculty. Our new challenge is to build upon the strong reputation the program has developed over the years and become a key player in communication for development and social change initiatives emerging worldwide."
Today, the program expects to enroll about 12 to 15 students in their first year of study each September. Screening of applications for each intake begins in the preceding January. The number of students typically pursuing the degree now totals about 30.