CCPA Renovation, Pursuing Excellence in a Digital World

What the CCPA renovations will look like when completed.
Entry hallway to new CCPA area

If we didn’t already think that every aspect of communication was changing because of digital and social media, then came a pandemic and social unrest. As challenging as these changes are for communication professionals, it is equally difficult for the institutions charged with preparing students for their professional lives. Staying current is vital. Staying relevant is more important than ever.

CCPA Renovation is a multi-million dollar program to put the best people and facilities in place for the benefit of our students.

First Step, Faculty, Professionals, Curriculum, Alumni

The first step was to attract and maintain the best possible team of professors, professionals, and community partners to provide students with opportunities to apply what they are learning. SMU Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA) faculty are second to none alongside an impressive Advisory Board of senior executives who help guide CCPA curricula. CCPA majors benefit every day from the experience and care of these individuals and alumni who continuously assist students with networking, career advice, and employment leads.

Second Step, Facilities

The second step is enhanced facilities. For CCPA those facilities come in two forms, first, student meeting and collaboration spaces and second, enhanced classrooms.

Working with the Meadows School of the Arts, CCPA began fundraising for a major renovation of the facilities our CCPA students access in the Umphrey Lee Center at SMU. The goal is to secure $3 million to complete these facilities as rapidly as possible.

  • The SMU CCPA student commons
    CCPA Student Area
  • Student area within renovated CCPA space
    Inside Proposed CCPA Student Area
  • Mustang Consulting Work Spaces and Conference Room
  • Digital Monitoring War Room

The New CCPA

The renovation plans call for a number of key features, including:

  • A state-of-the-art digital war room allowing our students to monitor traditional and digital communication activities, and learn analytics
  • A fully equipped boardroom for student presentations, seminars, and meetings
  • Enhanced classroom space with the most modern presentation and digital access systems
  • A working student commons and lounge specifically designed for collaboration, creativity, and a sense of community
  • A professional office for mustangconsulting as it enters its 15th year in CCPA

Both individuals and organizations are contributing to this important effort, and naming opportunities within the new facilities are still available.

Support CCPA

If you are interested in learning more about the CCPA Renovation Project or its naming opportunities, contact us at ccpa@smu.edu. For a fast way to give, please visit smu.edu/givetoccpa.

If you have questions or comments about CCPA, please contact us.