COM 486, Crisis Communication
The Joya CCP Plan
In Spring 2025, I completed COM 486: Crisis Communication, a course that immersed me in high‑level crisis strategy, writing, and organizational planning under the guidance of instructor Michelle Galey. Throughout the semester, we worked through a series of crisis‑focused writing assignments, simulations, and scenario planning exercises that built toward a comprehensive understanding of how organizations prepare for, communicate during, and recover from crises.
A major component of the course was our service‑learning partnership with Joya Child & Family Development, a nonprofit pediatric therapy provider and Neurodevelopmental Center of Excellence serving families across Spokane County. Joya offers occupational, physical, speech, and special education therapy for infants and toddlers, and their mission is grounded in our work in real‑world stakes and community impact.
Our final project centered on developing a full Crisis Communication Plan (CCP) for Joya. Over several weeks, I produced:
A detailed situational analysis, stakeholder breakdown, and risk assessment
A communication strategy with pre‑crisis, initial response, ongoing, and recovery messaging
A 72‑hour action timeline built for rapid organizational response
A crisis press release, holding statement, and evaluation metrics
A professionally formatted and branded 8–10 page CCP report
A final 10‑minute client presentation delivered to Joya representatives
This course gave me hands‑on experience in crisis messaging, cross‑channel communication planning, ethical decision‑making, and strategic writing under pressure. By working with an active nonprofit client, I learned how to create communication solutions that are both practical and compassionate. Reflecting the unique needs of vulnerable populations and the organizations that serve them.
COM 486 was one of the most professionally valuable courses I’ve taken. The experience strengthened my confidence in crisis strategy, improved my writing precision, and resulted in a polished, portfolio‑ready crisis plan that demonstrates my ability to communicate clearly, strategically, and responsibly in high‑stakes situations.
