Summer Springboard
Communication & Society
ON THE CAMPUS OF CAL POLY SLO
MASTER COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR A MORE EQUITABLE AND COMPASSIONATE WORLD
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Communication & Society @ Cal Poly SLO
- Critically analyze social norms and media coverage.
- Explore the history of social movements linked to gender race and sexual orientation.
- Strengthen public speaking skills through interactive exercises.
- Learn advanced argumentative writing techniques.
- Practice open communication on controversial topics in a supportive setting.
- Develop team-based presentations on identity diversity equity and inclusion.
Summer Springboard
Communication & Society
About This Course
This two-week program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo equips students with advanced communication tools grounded in social awareness and civic responsibility.
Are you interested in learning how you can make a positive impact on the world through your future career? This course is focused on developing communication and writing skills pertaining to important topics impacting all professions.
Topics include:
– Gender, race, ethnicity, culture, diversity, social emotional intelligence
– Advocacy and helping professions
– Interpersonal communication such as dealing with conflict, dealing with loss, how to develop, maintain and end relationships.
Through writing assignments, class discussions and a final group presentation, students will explore and engage with concepts that encourage critical thinking about identities, society and a vision for a more compassionate, equitable, and less harmful world.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students engage in discussions and group projects where they apply public speaking and argumentative writing techniques to real-world social issues.
Career Exploration
Participants enhance critical thinking and communication skills—essential in fields ranging from business law and education to healthcare and public advocacy.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“Summer Springboard was such a great time and I believe I have met some lifelong friends here. I really got to know the career path I want to pursue.”
– Sophia W. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Communication & Society
Meet Your Instructor
Instructor at Cal Poly SLO – Dr. Christina Kaviani is a lecturer in the Department of Communications, Women, Gender & Queer Studies at Cal Poly SLO and has over a decade of experience in the field of gender-based violence prevention education and response. She currently teaches theories, approaches, and debates on gender and violence, with an emphasis on the complex intersections of sexuality with race, ethnicity, class, nation, age, religion, and/or able-bodiedness.
She has a PhD in Philosophy from the Fielding Graduate University, her Masters of Arts in Student Counseling and Personnel Services is from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and she holds her Bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in Sociology.
DR. CHRISTINA KAVIANI
“The Summer Springboard program is a great chance to learn more about different fields of education and the college experience, while also meeting new people.”
– E. Watanabe | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Communication & Society
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: July 5 – July 17, 2026 |
| Session 2: July 19 – July 31, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,298 |
| Commuter Tuition: $2,998 |
Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: San Luis Obispo |
| State: California |
| Campus: Cal Poly SLO |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.