Welcome to the Department of English, Communication, and Global Languages at Northern State University. We have designed our programs and certificates to help you prepare for your future, providing you with the skills employers look for.

• The English major at NSU provides students with a strong foundation in critical thinking, communication, and analysis—skills that translate well into a wide range of professions. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in teaching, marketing, law, journalism, library science, grant writing, human resources, and more.
• The Communication Studies major prepares students with essential skills in interpersonal, organizational, and media communication. These abilities open doors to a variety of career paths, including public and media relations, event management, law, marketing, and other dynamic professional fields.
• The Spanish major develops language and cultural fluency, preparing students to thrive in many different careers. Graduates have pursued opportunities in business, health care, education, and more—especially valuable in a state like South Dakota, where Spanish is the second-most spoken language

However, we aren’t just about career preparation. Our faculty commit themselves to the foundational goals of the university: to see and educate all our students as whole individuals with intellectual potential, to communicate our knowledge and experience to help our student achieve that potential, and to create new knowledge as active writers and researchers. 
 

Dr. Lysbeth Em Benkert
Department Chair
Professor of English

Mission Statement

The Department of English, Communication Studies, and Global Languages equips students to become interpreters and architects of communication, the essential skills of the information age.

More than that, however, by modeling thoughtful and ethical reading, writing, and speaking, we challenge students to explore complex texts, ideas, and situations. Ultimately, our students become engaged and responsible citizens whose ability to evaluate, create, and disseminate information provides them with transferable, career-ready skills that create a more connected world.

The Values We Embrace

Several core values form the foundation for what and how we teach:

• We share a deep respect for the humanities and the liberal arts tradition.
• We value language and its unique power to transform the world.
• We strive to awaken intellectual curiosity and inquiry that fosters both creative and cooperative problem solving.
• We emphasize respect and empathy in engaging with challenging texts and real-world problems.
• We believe in both mastery of content and individual development, embracing a growth mindset that believes all students can become better communicators.

The Learning Environment We Strive for

Our classrooms are interactive places where learning objectives are clear and attainable, and students understand the “why” behind each lesson. Our faculty provide a variety of educational experiences, including discussions, lectures, games, and alternative media to help students engage with the material and each other.

The Skills We Teach

• Effective written and spoken communication
• Digital and information literacy
• Critical evaluation of texts and media
• Cultural literacy and responsiveness
• Collaboration and active listening
• Rhetorical and ethical engagement
• Lifelong learning and adaptability

The Impact We Make 

When our graduates act with purpose and integrity in the world, they strengthen democracy, cultivate compassion, and build a culture that values and expands educational access. We help students imagine worlds where they are active citizens, who not only thrive economically, but also create a more just, connected, and empathetic society.