Strategic Communications Major
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About the Major
Strategic communications explores the process and techniques for how an organization—whether corporate, nonprofit or governmental—communicates and builds relationships with its different audiences. Majors learn how to become creative storytellers and use appropriate research and critical thinking skills to develop strategic communications plans.
Jobs in Strategic Communications
- Brand manager
- Communications strategist
- Publicist
- Research analyst
- Social media manager
Past Elon Strategic Communications Internships
- BOLD LA Communications and Marketing
- Edelman
- First Citizens Bank
- Jennifer Bett Communications
- Sircle Media
Related Majors
Graduate finds his voice beyond the traditional 9 to 5
For Alex Lewis, his time at Elon University was not only formative for his career path, but it also allowed him to find his niche. The 2016 graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication with a minor in leadership studies, which opened doors he never thought possible.
“This place really just gave me a playground to try new things and open myself up to new perspectives,” said Lewis.
Today, he leads social media art direction for Hollister at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. while exploring his passion for storytelling through his Substack newsletter, “Feels Like Home.” Writing about up-and-coming individuals, local culture and city life in Columbus, Ohio, the newsletter serves as an outlet for creative exploration outside of his corporate career.
Looking back, Lewis credits the university environment for giving him the freedom to experiment early on and find his footing.
As I think back on my time at Elon, that’s really one of the places where I started to get comfortable getting outside of my comfort zone, being able to start growing as a writer, as a storyteller. The fact I still get to practice my creativity now as an art director in the retail industry, but also as a writer outside of my nine to five, I definitely owe all of that to my time at Elon.
His work on the newsletter eventually caught the attention of a writer at Andscape, a Black-led media platform dedicated to creating, highlighting, and uplifting the diverse stories of Black identity, who presented Lewis with the opportunity to write a piece for the publication.
“I spent some time on the essay; I didn’t want it to be something that I rushed,” Lewis said. “Any opportunity where I get to write, I want to create something I’m proud of, and my people are going to be proud of.”
With the help of writers at Andscape, along with family and friends, Lewis edited the essay to ensure authenticity in his writing style. The resulting article, “Russell Westbrook has found a gentle landing his rollercoaster career,” was the top story on the ESPN App during the Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game on Jan. 25, 2026. Having lived in Colorado after graduating from Elon, the piece held personal significance for him.
“I’ve been a Denver Nuggets fan for more than 20 years,” Lewis explained in his essay. “While I fell in love with basketball watching early 2000s hoops in my Grandma Gwen’s basement, I never had a team to call my own until the Nuggets drafted Carmelo Anthony and graced the streets with their powder blue and gold jerseys, which are still my favorite to this day.”
As advice for young writers, Lewis urges students to follow their curiosities, even if their post-grad job doesn’t fit the mold they initially planned for.
“Ask yourself, ‘Can I do the things outside of work that I’m passionate about, can I do the things that make me, me?’” Lewis said. “It’s important to make time for the things you care about outside of your work because at the end of the day, I’m more than my nine to five.”
Did You Know?
- The strategic communications major is housed in Elon’s School of Communications. Elon is one of only 18 private colleges and universities in the nation to have an accredited communications program.
- To promote academic depth, all students must complete a minor, a double major or a semester abroad (totaling 12 credit hours or more) in an Elon-approved program.
- The curriculum for the strategic communications major changed in the fall of 2023; among the changes are new required courses in Brand Identity, Strategies for Emerging Media and Inclusive Leadership in Communications.