About Communication Leadership
Communication Leaders are committed to positive change in the face of global challenges.
Explore our Master of Communications Academic Programs in Digital Media, Communities & Networks, and Communication Leadership and join us in shaping the future of communication.
Core Values
We recognize that as Communication Leaders we have power and responsibility. We approach communications and technology ethically and intentionally, staying ahead of emerging challenges and seeking to make the world a better place.
These are the core values that guide us as a program:
1. Impactful Storytelling
Communication Leaders embrace the power of story as the instinctual way in which people process information. Using universal storytelling principles, we create meaningful content across changing media and platforms. We inform and inspire. We use stories strategically to advance our goals and our organizations.
Example: The Art of Story
2. Ethical Innovation
Communication Leaders adapt to emerging technology. We understand that technology is a valuable set of tools, but not an end in itself. We align technology with human needs and values to ensure that innovation is inclusive and does not amplify existing inequity. We respect individuals’ boundaries, privacy, and ownership of their data. We support thoughtful decision-making around the adoption and deployment of technology.
Example: Machine Learning, Human Values
3. Empathetic Communication
Communication Leaders are principled and empathetic. We value emotional intelligence so that we can read the needs and motivations of others. We act ethically and are conscious of the primary and secondary impacts of our work. We hold ourselves to principles of integrity, accountability, and transparency. We believe all our work must be guided by clearly articulated values.
Example: The Fifth Season
4. Commitment to Inclusion
Communication Leaders recognize our power to effect change, and embrace the responsibility that comes with that power. We are aware of our social position, privilege, and implicit biases. We seek a diversity of voices for guidance and authority. We advocate for the vulnerable and prioritize accessibility, inclusion, and equity in all of our work.
Example: The Principles of Inclusive Design
5. Service to Communities
Communication Leaders build, strengthen, and serve communities. We see digital communication as a reflection of interpersonal communication, and recognize the relationship between online and offline communities. We value human connection, and approach all communication as a collaborative process.
Example: Alumni Ryan Quigtar on Building Trust in Your Community
6. Advocacy for Good
Communication Leaders are persuasive advocates. We understand audiences, consumers, and constituents. We know how to synthesize ideas, marshal an argument, and foster consensus. We are strategic in our thinking, and are engaged with the “why” behind what we are advocating, as well as the “how” behind implementation.
Example: Communication Leaders Fight Against Health Misinformation
7. Compassionate Leadership
Communication Leaders support fellow humans through times of transformation. Our fast-changing world requires us all to be lifelong-learners with self-awareness and humility. We believe listening, service, and a global mindset are key elements of effective leadership. We will co-create the new stories, whose shared meaning will inspire a better future.
Example: Meet the Founder
Learn More About Communication Leadership
Celebrate 25 years of Communication Leadership
Established in 2000, Communication Leadership grew from offering a single master’s degree focused on digital media. We now offer three distinct degrees that respond to the evolution of communication, marketing, design and community engagement fields. Communication Leadership continues to shape the industry’s landscape with over 1000 alumni in influential communication roles worldwide.
Discover our Academic Programs
Communication Leadership develops ethical leaders in the communications industry by offering three different degrees and an exceptional variety of classes. Each of our three STEM-qualifited degree programs give students globally-relevant, leading-edge skills to advance their career.
Learn about our Community
We view the diversity of experiences and perspectives in our student body and alumni network as one of our program’s core assets. Learn about the people in our community and how we work together to build connections and make the best use of the University’s facilities and resources.
University of Washington
Department of Communication