Communication Studies Spotlights and Testimonials

trichell spikes

Hi! My name is Trichell, but I go by Princess, so, Princess Spikes. I began my academic journey at Sam Houston State University as a Communication Studies scholar. After earning my master’s degree, I served as an adjunct instructor in the Speech Department at Lone Star College. I am currently a Graduate Assistant and Lab Manager while pursuing my PhD at Louisiana State University, with an emphasis in interpersonal communication.

It was my first communications class at Sam Houston State University that helped me decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. While it was just an introductory speech course, I realized just how much I enjoyed learning about communications topics. Like many freshmen entering a new collegiate space, I had no clue what I really wanted my major to be. The more communications courses I took, the more I began to realize the joy it brought me to learn how to navigate life by connecting with others and understanding how they were trying to connect with me. I began using the knowledge that I gained to improve my relationships with friends and family members. Before I knew it, I had graduated, and I still wanted to learn more.

I honestly didn’t think I would graduate at all. Being a first-generation college student navigating a poverty-stricken life and being a caretaker to my younger sister wasn’t easy. I didn’t think I was smart enough or even good enough to continue my education. It was Dr. Frances Brandau and Dr. Terry Thibodeaux that pushed me to continue my education. I can attribute where I am today to them. They pushed me to do better when I failed, didn’t scrutinize me when I missed the mark, and provided me the feedback I needed -not just pass - but excel.  They allowed me to see the impact professors can make on people who might be struggling with the thought of failure and taught me how to push past life’s adversities. They put it in my head as a master’s student that I could receive my PhD if I wanted to. I’m glad their words stuck.

I didn’t make the decision to follow in their footsteps right away. Being a communications major opened opportunities in fields outside of communications as well. For a few years I maintained food service management positions, and my employers stated my knowledge of organizational communication and interpersonal communication is what made me an appealing candidate. Ultimately, my time in management increased sales and led to greater employee satisfaction and retention. While I am no longer in food service management, I still utilize these skills to connect with new people and help others launch their own small business.

If I could do it all over again, I would tell myself, “Just lean in”. Sometimes the idea of work can be exhausting, sometimes pressure can be exhausting, sometimes life is just exhausting! But when I discovered if I just did it, I could succeed, nothing stood in my way. You can do anything you want in this life, no matter where you come from, what people say, or what your past is. Just lean in.