The 2026 #BeCOMM Talk Show will take place on Wednesday, October 21 at The Yard on the Rutgers College Avenue campus from 1:15 to 3 p.m. (the rain date will be October 28), the SC&I Department of Communication announced today.
The #BeCOMM Talk Show, which is free and open to all, including Rutgers University students, faculty, staff and the public, is part of the Communication Department’s ongoing #BeCOMM campaign held to celebrate and promote the Communication Major at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information and support current majors.
Timed with National Free Speech Week which takes place each October to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of speech, the #BeCOMM Talk Show will be hosted by Maya Lynn Jacobs, COM’21, Associate Manager, Global Influencer Strategy, r.e.m. beauty by Ariana Grande. Jacobs will interview guests who will appear on the #BeCOMM Talk Show, including:
- William Klein, Dean, Rutgers University School of Communication and Information
- Brian Householder, Director of Undergraduate Studies-Communication, SC&I
- Jeff Cusson, COM’91, EVP & Head of Communication for Warner Bros. Discovery Streaming, International and HBO/Max Original Programming
- Javid Louis, Director, Content Strategy and Social Platforms, Visa
- Mary Castro, COM’12, Head of Global Employer Brand, Kenvue
- Cristina Ferucci, COM’20, Senior Account Manager, The Baite Shoppe
- Alyssa Rivers, COM’20/MCM’21, Senior Account Executive, 160over90
- Juliana Powers Gitler, COM’22, Manager, Field Marketing & Community Impact, Red Bull New York
- Jordan Nussbaum, COM’26, Communications Associate, News Bureau, National Football League
- Luis Briceno, COM’25/MCM’26, Assistant Account Executive, Burson
- Kiara Warfield, COM’23, Assistant Account Executive, Chandler Chicco Agency
- Kiara Sanchez Estevez, COM’26, Marketing Coordinator, HUNTER
“We are excited to host our fourth #BeCOMM Talk Show this fall which complements our annual COMMchella Music Festival each spring,” said Communication Department Chair and Professor Marya Doerfel. “Annually, the talk show highlights how advances in communication and technology open doors to careers in public relations, marketing, health advocacy, policy, and crisis management. #BeCOMM opens doors, connecting Rutgers students with the networks, knowledge and opportunities that help them turn ambition into a career.”
The event will feature appearances by the SC&I Department of Communication faculty; a deejay; Sir Henry, the Scarlet Knight mascot; free professional headshots for students to enhance their online presence; a sketch artist; free Krispy Pizza; and free #BeCOMM branded merchandise. Another highlight will be an Industry Connect area hosted by career advisors from the SC&I Office of Student Services and Rutgers Career Exploration and Success, where Rutgers University graduates will engage with current students and discuss internships, jobs, resume writing and interview preparation.
Students in the Strategic Public Relations Event Planning course, taught by Mark Beal, are spearheading the #BeCOMM campaign and managing the #BeCOMM Talk Show.
To promote #BeCOMM, the students will produce and distribute content throughout the fall semester via earned and social media to highlight the five Communication major specializations offered at SC&I: Health and Wellness Communication; Leadership in Organizations and Community; Relationships and Family Communication; Strategic Public Communication; Communication and Technology; and Public Relations.
Corporate supporters of the #BeCOMM campaign include HBO Max, RWJBarnabas Health, Bayer, Red Bull New York, Coyne PR, Gray Wolf, MikeWorldWide, HUNTER, DBLSPC, and Nonni Strategic Marketing.
To stay updated on the #BeCOMM campaign, #BeCOMM Talk Show and the COMMchella Music Festival, follow @ru_becomm on Instagram and TikTok.
