Our Mission
The Missouri S&T Writing and Communication Center (WCC) is dedicated to fostering innovation and communication among our students. As an extension of that dedication, the mission of the Innovative Communication Conference (ICC) is to provide a platform that empowers undergraduate scholars to share their original research, creative projects, and ideas while promoting a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration. We strive to inspire intellectual growth, celebrate diverse voices, and cultivate a community where innovation and effective communication are at the forefront. Through this event, we aim to equip our students with essential skills for the future while enriching their educational experience.
ICC 2024: Simpler Explanations of Complex Ideas
Richard Feynman, the late Nobel Laureate in physics, was once asked by a colleague to explain why spin one-half particles obey Fermi Dirac statistics. Priding himself on his ability to devise ways to explain even the most profound ideas to beginning students, Feynman said, “I’ll prepare a freshman lecture on it.” According to his colleague, however, Feynman returned a few days later and said, “I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t reduce it to the freshman level. That means we don’t really understand it.”
Our ability to communicate complex ideas simply is fundamental to innovation – it encourages collaboration across disciplines, sparks curiosity, and generates new ideas. The motto is even inscribed in the pavement in front of S&T’s Humanities and Social Sciences building, in a quote attributed to Albert Einstein – “If you can’t explain something simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” In this spirit, the theme of the 2024 Innovative Communication Conference is “Simpler Explanations of Complex Ideas.” We invite panels, presentations, visual, and multimodal demonstrations of innovative communication in fields across campus which explain a concept that appears complex at its surface but can be understood better if broken into simpler terms.
For Students By Students
English & Tech Com Capstone Students
The 2024 English & Technical Communication capstone students assumed pivotal roles as primary organizers for the Innovative Communication Conference. The Capstone students scaffolded campaigns and organizational strategies for the conference, and they shared responsibilities such as scripting calls for presenters and managing the submissions received. They undertook the management of the conference’s sessions, secured sponsorships for the event, and communicated with presenters and stakeholders. Many Capstone students are showcasing their own work in sessions throughout the conference, and they will showcase their portfolios during the Capstone Presentations session of the ICC 2024.
Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Writing & Communication Center Consultants
The Writing and Communication Center undergraduate and graduate consultants were instrumental in delivering meticulously crafted documents and advertisements while also offering invaluable support to presenters in refining their presentations. Their expertise ensured that presenters were comfortable with their presentations and that the audience would be captivated by polished and engaging communication materials. WCC Consultants made it possible for the ICC to showcase our campus’s innovative communication across various platforms.
Dr. Jossalyn M. Gale
Jossalyn M. Gale is the Director of S&T’s Writing and Communication Center and an Assistant Professor with the Department of English and Technical Communication. Emphasizing the uniqueness of each learner’s style and skill set, Gale is committed to tailoring instructional approaches to facilitate personalized pathways to academic success. In her research, Gale delves into the intricate dynamics of value systems within discourse communities and their translation across various media platforms. Her research extends to exploring the complexities of diversity in communication, encompassing cultural, gender, disciplinary, and neurodivergent perspectives. Gale’s work underscores the ongoing importance of understanding and addressing the evolving needs and challenges faced by students in today’s educational landscape.
