Department of Arts and Humanities Launches New American Studies Student Organization

Discussing the rhetoric of cover letters, résumés, and storytelling was the focus of a recent meeting for the new American Studies Student Organization. The new club is designed to bring together students majoring in American studies or interdisciplinary studies, along with students minoring in writing or civics and society. Members of the organization want to create a lively, intellectual community where students can explore American culture, history, communication and literature, discuss contemporary issues, and more.

Assistant Professor of English Dr. Lainie Pomerleau, and club advisor, said that faculty in the department wanted to create more avenues for student success on multiple levels and saw the organization as a great way to bring students together. So far, the club has 12 members, and she anticipates growth.

The creation of the organization aligns with the academic goals of the department, which include critical thinking, intercultural understanding, real-world application of knowledge, leadership development, communication, and career-ready skills. During their recent meeting, students separated into pairs to discuss what may stand out to employers reviewing job applications. Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Savannah Downing was the guest speaker for the meeting. Downing discussed the importance of storytelling through cover letters and how to effectively communicate skills for a potential job.

The organization plans to host a variety of events throughout the academic year, including workshops, guest speakers, film screenings, discussions, and a game night.

College of Coastal Georgia junior Chloe Brom enjoys being creative and studying writing and history. She joined the organization to meet other students with similar interests, share ideas, and explore different forms of writing and thinking.

Junior Kaitlin Higginbotham enjoys being in clubs and meeting new people. Like Brom, she also wanted to meet people who shared the same interests.

“We were talking about it in class, and I heard about the degree preparation aspect of it. That is something that interests me because that is something I plan on pursuing,” Higginbotham said. “I really enjoy being in American studies and getting to discuss the passions I have with other people. It’s a means of strengthening my skills — also my social skills.”

Last year, one of Higginbotham’s coursework essays was accepted for presentation at the Southern States Communication Association’s Undergraduate Honors Conference. With undergraduate research funding support from Coastal, she traveled to Virginia to present her work on Banksy’s graffiti art as a rhetorical tool in public and private spaces in post-Katrina New Orleans. Discussing rhetoric is one of her favorite things to do, and she is looking forward to talking more about that and other topics with her peers.

Junior Jacob Budd joined the club to have more of a voice in the program and advocate for different areas of learning, such as having more history courses.

Senior Val Hodell wanted to help promote the major and highlight all the opportunities it offers.

Sophomore Harmony Starr changed her major to American studies and joined the club to be more attuned with the field. Starr also wants to help promote the major.

“I feel that there are fewer people involved with American studies. I want to expand it to others while learning more about American studies,” Starr said. “One thing I like about American studies is that it’s so broad.”

With more than 40 active student organizations on campus and new ones emerging each year, the College continues to expand opportunities for students to connect, collaborate, and deepen their educational experience. The American Studies Student Organization adds a fresh avenue for engagement, especially for students interested in writing, literature, history, communication, and career readiness.

The inaugural members of the American Studies Student Organization are:

Dejah Murphy

Harmony Starr

Kimora Jackson

Ariel Woodrow

Jacob Budd

Val Hodell

Charlie Nichols

Chloe Brom

Kaitlin Higginbotham 

Loren Georgeson

Marykatherine Brake 

Riley Coburn

The club currently meets once a month on Wednesdays. For more information about the American Studies Student Organization, contact Dr. Lainie Pomerleau at lpomerleau@ccga.edu.