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This fall, students in COMS 4050: Communication Strategy in Meeting and Event Planning are partnering with local organizations to design and carry out three events. Guided by Candice Rios Wenmoth, associate director of undergraduate studies in the School of Communication Studies, the course emphasizes her belief that “planning an event is like telling a good story.”

COMS 4050 offers the "Learning & Doing Bridge" as part of 51����’s OHIO BRICKS General Education program. (Note: COMS 2050 is a prerequisite for the course.)

“I wanted to make sure the course stayed deeply rooted in communication,” Rios Wenmoth said. “My through line has been that planning an event is like storytelling. At every step, I want students to think about the story we’re telling for our clients, the stories our community partners bring to the table, and how we can bring those together in a way that feels authentic.”

At the start of the semester, students completed skills assessments to identify their strengths before being placed into role-based teams. Groups focus on areas such as logistics, marketing, sponsorship, guest services, design and entertainment. Each team takes on responsibilities that mirror professional event planning roles, encouraging collaboration while giving students ownership over the details.

Just as the course reframes event planning as storytelling, it also reimagines assessment. Rather than traditional letter grades, students complete self- and peer-assessments and then meet with Rios Wenmoth to pitch their own final grade.

“The idea of pitching your grade is like asking for a raise,” she said. “Students, especially women, tend to undersell themselves. This process teaches them how to advocate for their own work while providing evidence of what they’ve accomplished.”

For Rios Wenmoth, who has long been active in Athens, connecting the class to community organizations was a natural fit. The course is sponsored by the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact and partners this semester with Passion Works Studio, Jackie O’s and Donkey Coffee.

, a collaborative community art space, will benefit directly from a fundraiser and awareness event planned and executed by the class and hosted at Jackie O’s Taproom. The event theme, “Recess,” is designed to give adults permission to play — a value Rios Wenmoth sees reflected in Passion Works’ creative mission.

As part of the event, will introduce a new non-alcoholic beverage. The project reflects the brewery’s growth beyond beer and could lead to a future can collaboration with Passion Works. The release highlights the brewery’s ongoing commitment to supporting local nonprofits through creative partnerships.

That commitment has taken many forms over the years. Jackie O’s has brewed Underdog in collaboration with the Athens County Dog Shelter and Homer’s Hazy with the Southern Ohio Copperheads, using its platform to bring attention and resources to community organizations.

As part of this effort, guests may also see the new beverage featured beyond the fundraiser. Plans are underway for a potential pop-up collaboration with executive chef Drew Rios Wenmoth of Cutler’s, adding a culinary twist to the partnership and creating another avenue for community engagement.

“Passion Works has always amazed me with what they do for Athens,” Rios Wenmoth said. “This partnership gives our students a chance to celebrate that work while creating a space for playfulness and connection.”

While the Jackie O’s fundraiser is the class’s largest project, the other events are designed to connect with the community on a smaller scale. The semester will close with two story slams at — intimate evenings featuring a mix of student, faculty, staff and community storytellers sharing short, themed stories.

What is a story slam? 

A story slam is a live, open-mic event where participants share personal stories, often with a competitive edge. The format was popularized by , a New York-based nonprofit founded in 1997 that promotes the art and craft of storytelling. For nearly three decades, The Moth has hosted story slams across the country to celebrate the human experience through narrative.

Rios Wenmoth, an 51���� alumna who has made Athens her home, said her approach is informed by her experiences as both a student and community member.

“I thought about how to maximize my connections in a meaningful way,” she said. “The constant challenge for faculty and staff is figuring out how to bring the university and the community together in ways that don’t feel forced. This class is one way to do that.”

By semester’s end, students will have not only planned three public events but also gained firsthand experience in negotiation, collaboration and self-advocacy — skills that extend well beyond the classroom.

“When students are clued into the community beyond the university, they get excited,” Rios Wenmoth said. “They want to be part of it. That’s what this course is really about — learning how communication and storytelling connect us.”

Members of the public are invited to join the students and their community partners. Event details are below:

• Recess: A Passion Works x Jackie O’s collaboration –  Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, 2 p.m. (2-4 p.m. immersive activities, 4 p.m. show of talent performances) Jackie O’s Taproom, 25 Campbell St, Athens, Ohio
• Story Slam I – Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, 7-9 p.m. Donkey Coffee, 17 ½ W Washington St., Athens, Ohio
• Story Slam II – Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, 7-9 p.m. Donkey Coffee, 17 ½ W Washington St., Athens, Ohio