COMMUNICATION1 MATTERS Spring 2013

WINNER OF THE 2012-13 PROVOST’S AWARD FOR TEACHING AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE

Department of Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte Ezine

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 communicationNOTES FROM THE CHAIR

DEPARTMENT CHAIR Dr. Shawn Long EDITOR Cheryl Spainhour STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS Carolyn Hallahan and Emily Tamilin COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Gabrielle Lover DESIGNER Drew Humphries communicationNOTES FROM THE CHAIR VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

Department of Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte. This has been a banner yearelcome for to our the department third issue inof theMatters, areas the of teaching, official electronic research, magazine service and of theoutreach.

WAs the cover of the magazine indicates, our department received the 18th Annual Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at UNC Charlotte for 2012-13. This award is supported by funds from the UNC

recognition of the collective responsibility of faculty members for maintaining high-quality teaching. The awardSystem is Board intended of Governors. to recognize It is documented granted annually efforts to of an that academic improve department, student learning office, andor program outcomes. in

Our Department is thrilled and honored to receive this recognition. Teaching and the creation and dissemination of knowledge are at the core of what we do as an academic unit at UNC Charlotte, so I am so proud of the work of our faculty in meeting this charge. It is humbling to be recognized when there are a number of equally deserving departments with many outstanding educators and faculty across the university. I appreciate the support of Dean Nancy Gutierrez and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for supporting our nomination.

the sole, activity in our department. Our faculty members are cutting- edge researchers (2010 CIOS/ COMMAs you Vistaread throughTop Ten thedepartment virtual pages for Research of this magazine, Productivity you willin Communication see that teaching Studies), is a significant, engaged butacademic not citizens and leaders in our discipline and community. Our undergraduate and graduate students are doing

being admitted into top graduate programs across the country. Our graduate program graduated our 80th MAmeaningful student andin late state April of the2013. field work both inside and outside of the classroom, landing great jobs and are

We continue to grow as a department. We will welcome Dr. Plotnick, Assistant Professor in Media Studies (Northwestern University, Ph.D.) and Ms. Sayde Brais, Lecturer (UNC Charlotte, MA) to our department as full- time faculty beginning Fall 2013. We welcomed Ms. Adrienne Barnette (UNC Charlotte, MA) in February 2013 as our new academic advisor, Mr.

Patty Atkinson as our Administrative Associate in August 2012. David Landrum as our Office and Budget Manager in July 2012 and Ms.

Spainhour and her team for their excellent work to produce this magazine. WeI hope believe that thatyou enjoyCommunication this issue of “Matters” Matters. inSpecial the world thanks and to we Ms. hope Cheryl that

you enjoy our individual and collective contributions to this idea.

Best regards, Shawn D. Long, Department Chair [email protected] newsPROGRAMS ABROAD

4 FACULTY MEMBER TO PERUSE PERU

r. Jillian Tullis will visit Peru in May in preparation for a Health Communication study abroad course for D students. Dr. Tullis will visit Lima and Cusco during the week-long trip site visit. “Many South American countries aren’t considered for study abroad courses,” she said, “which will present several unique opportunities for our students, such as the chance to visit an ancient site, such as Machu Pichu, and learn more about our neighbors to the south.” She says she looks forward to learning about the health opportunities and challenges there in order to develop a course to help students learn about and apply Health Communications concepts. While there, Dr. Tullis will meet with people from the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, in Lima, and make contacts with local health care organization and providers.

Ashton Lewis took this photograph of The Cliffs of Moher, located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. 5

Ashton Lewis visits Petra, Jordan UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TRAVELS THE WORLD

shton Lewis, a senior Communication Studies coffee table books: among those was the Dome of the student, took advantage of the study abroad Rock in Jerusalem, the beaches in Morocco, the Coli- A program when he traveled to Northern Ireland seum in Rome, the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, and the for two semesters in 2012. Lewis attended classes at Blue Mosque in Istanbul. According to Lewis, the only the University of Ulster in Coleraine. Unlike semesters caveat to studying abroad is that you have to be careful at American colleges, students only take two classes where you choose to go, especially if you are planning per semester. Lewis took classes in media law, liter- to go for two semesters, like he did. In October, he is ature, creative writing and mass media. Traveling is joining the Peace Corps. While his destination coun- something Lewis was accustomed to growing up in try has yet to be determined, he included a few “must- an Army family. When it comes to the race for his haves” when he decided to join, and those are “hot and favorite aspect of studying abroad, his travels won by dangerous.” a mile. He traveled to places many people only see in newsFACULTY NEWS

6 Faculty Accolades

Senior Lecturer Debbie Baker was appointed to serve as the Dr. Dean Kruckeberg was inducted into Rowan University’s Public Relations 2013 Hall of Fame. He was awarded Chair & CEO’s 2012 Citation for Meritorious Service as Co-Chair, Com- Dr.first Jaehee CAC Fellow Cho receivedin Oral Communication a UNC Charlotte next Faculty year. Research Grant: mission on PR Education. He is an Executive Committee member “Investigation of Korean Immigrants’ Social Media Use and Its of the Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Delta. He is serving a three-year Effects on Social Capital, Psychological Well-Being, and Sociocul- term on Professional Freedom and Responsibility Committee,

UNCC Graduate School: “Assessment of Online Graduate Request tural Adjustment”; an internal grant with Dr. Loril Gossett from- one of three national committees of AEJMC. He is the Resolution- lenge Fund: “Assessment of International Students’ Communica- nalchair of ofNew AEJMC Communications within the PF&R Research, committee. and Senior He is aFellow. Member, tionSystem and at Schoolwork.” UNC Charlotte”; and The Chancellor’s Diversity Chal board of directors, and chair, editorial review committee of Jour Dr. Richard Leeman was a Guest Lecturer in Rhetoric, College Dr. Christine Davis received the Conversation in Qualitative Communication Scholarship and awarded Top Paper in Ethnog- China last summer. His article, “Environmental Racism and En- raphy Interest Group. She presented at the 2013 SSCA conven- of Journalism and Communication, Xiamen University, Xiamen, tion, Ethnography Interest Group. Her forthcoming book, to be and Community.” Received Top Paper Panel, Rhetoric and Public published in 2013 by Left Coast Press, is “Communicating hope: vironmental Justice: Benjamin Chavis Jr. and Issues of Definition An ethnography of a children’s mental health care team”. Small Research Grant for “The Obamas’ political discourse and ChineseAddress socialDivision media.” at SSCA. He and Dr. Min Jiang received a CLAS Dr. Loril Gossett served as the Organizational Communication Dr. Shawn D. Long received the 2012 Outstanding Service during the 2012 convention. She was elected to the NCA Legisla- Award from the African American Communication and Culture tivedivision’s Council’s official Agenda representative Committee for -- forthe the NCA Fall legislative 2013 convention. council Division and Black Caucus in the NCA. She received a SOTL grant this Spring to study online vs. paper - course evaluations over the Spring and Summer. tee. He is also a member of the NCA Legislative Assembly. He wasChair inducted (appointed), into Phi Affirmative Beta Delta, Action Honor and Society Intercaucus for International Commit Senior Lecturer Sandy Hanson Scholars. He was appointed to the SSCA Finance Committee, with the Levine Scholars program. 2013-16. will travel to Wyoming in July Dr. Min Jiang was nominated this year by students for faculty Dr. Margaret Quinlan received the UNC Charlotte Health achievement on international education at UNC Charlotte. This Dr. Jillian Tullis spring she received a $15,000 UNC Charlotte College of Arts and received a UNC Charlotte’s Chancellor’s Challenge Fund for Sciences Digital Humanities Seed Grant for “Tweet China: Visu- theirAcademy Gender Junior communication Investigator Award.speaker Sheseries: and alizing China on Twitter in Map, Picture & Event Modes in a Big Topics in LGBTQ sexuality and women’s health. Data initiative with Dr. Xiaoyu Wang, BigData, who leads the UNC Charlotte Visualization Center.

Department Promotions

Debbie Baker Dr. Shawn Long Promoted to Senior Lecturer Promoted to Full Professor

Cheryl Spainhour Promoted to Associate Professor Promoted to Senior Lecturer Dr. Min Jiang 7 Department Chair Receives Prestigious Award

r. Shawn Long, the Communication Studies chair, was the 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the African American Communication and Culture Division and the Black Caucus of the National Communication D Association. The award was presented during the NCA’s 98th annual convention in Orlando, Nov. 15-18, 2012. According to the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, the award is given to a member of the National Communication Association for “extraordinary works of service with an impact on the livelihood of African Americans in academia and in the national and international Black community.”

“Dr. Long’s receipt of this honor demonstrates how dedicated our faculty and our academic leaders are,” says CLAS Dean Nancy Gutierrez. “[He] provides an outstanding guide to us all as we encourage a service-learning ethic that helps develop our abilities to think creatively and critically as we live and thrive in this diverse world.” Dean Gutierrez noted Dr. Long’s commitment to diversity and inclusion within the world of academia and its impact on the Communications Department and the university. Some of his notable service includes serving as chair of the African American Communication and Culture Division with the NCA and Legislative Assembly membership. “He is developer and inaugural coordinator of the Organizational Science Summer Institute at UNC Charlotte,” the dean added, “which focuses on expanding diversity among students in the field.”

Communication Studies Faculty and Graduate Student Attend NCA

ommunication Studies faculty members and one graduate student attended the 98th Annual National Communication Association C Conference in Orlando, Florida, on Nov. 15-18, 2012.

In addition to their presentations, six graduate faculty members were elected to NCA leadership positions. Dr. Christine Davis was elected Vice Chair elect of the Communication as Social Construction Division. Dr. Loril Gossett was elected to the legislative assembly. Dr. Dan Grano was elected Legislative Assembly at Large Representative, SSCA. Dr. Shawn Long Dr. Margaret Quinlan was elected to the Leslie Irene Coger award committee. was elected to the Legislative Assembly and Secretary of thewas Ethnography elected to the Division. Affirmative Many Action of these and positions Intercaucus carry Committee. a minimum of a two-year term. “We once again had a very nice presence,” Dr. Long said. “I am Dr.most Jillian excited Tullis about our increasing leadership presence within NCA. These important positions inevitably will help shape the future of NCA.”

, a dual master’s degree student in business and communication, presented on a panel titled

Jennifer Wilson “Partnering for professional trajectories for master’s students” for the Masters Education Division of NCA. She, along with Dr. Davis, presented research conducted as part of a service assessment for Jewish Family Services. The data for this project was collected during an Advanced Research Methods: Focus Groups course in fall, 2011 where students had the opportunity to get hands on experience working with a local not-for-profit organization. When asked about her experience, Wilson said attending her first NCA conference, “completely altered my view of newsBOOKS, TALKS & CREDENTIALS

8 Leeman Discusses “The Teleological Discourse of Barack Obama” at UNC Charlotte’s ‘Personally Speaking’ Series

r. Richard Leeman kicked off the 2012-13 ‘Personally Speaking’ series on Sept. 18, 2012, at UNC Charlotte’s D Center City campus. Dr. Leeman spoke to nearly 100 faculty, students and community members about his book “The Teleological Discourse of Barack Obama.” The speech was followed by an extensive Q&A session. The academic book examines Obama’s speaking style, using teleology, and how it impacts politics and the way people view him. Teleology is a philosophy that aims to explain phenomena by examining the design of the journey. Leeman believes that Obama’s style is the epitome of teleology. “I think it’s because he has embraced the notion of the American Dream,” says Leeman. “I think he deeply believes in this.”

by Dr. Richard Leeman Dr. Leeman wrote this book after he was invited to do a lecture in the spring of 2010 for an Africana Studies class. This sparked his interest and he later wrote an article on teleology that he eventually developed into his book.

The ‘Personally Speaking’ series is put on by UNC Charlotte’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. 9 Department Lecturer Earns APR Credentials

obin Rothberg, a Public Relations lecturer, earned In order to earn the APR, Rothberg submitted essays to her Accreditation in Public Relations credential in the the local PRSA chapter, which qualified her to present her R fall, joining ranks with two other faculty members two-hour readiness review showcasing her essay answers, in the Communication Studies Department. According to knowledge of communications theory, capability for the website for the Public Relations Society of America and research, and strategic planning and implementation of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 5,000 out of more those plans. “I used my Communication Campaigns class than 320,000 Public Relations manager and specialists hold as a model during this process,” she said. “Once I cleared an APR credential. “I think of APR as the public relations the three-person readiness review committee, I could take equivalent of a CPA for an accountant,” said Dr. Alan Freitag, the 188-question, computer-based examination covering who is also APR certified. “It gives them practical credibility 16 categories of my public relations knowledge, skills and demonstrates a mastery of the application of public and abilities.” Rothberg said she strived to earn her APR relations.” credential to serve as a model for her students, but the process of preparing for the exam also invoked empathy for her students.

by Dr. Christine Davis

“Communicating Hope: An Ethnography of a Children’s Mental Health Care Team”

ommunicating Hope: An Ethnography of a Children’s a multilayered study of how social service workers Mental Health Care Team,” by Dr. Christine Davis, can motivate and heal troubled families in challenging C is an evocative narrative that depicts ways social environments. The volume includes clinical and practice service workers can heal troubled families who are considerations for those working in the social welfare struggling in difficult situations. The narrative follows system. “This book is taken from my dissertation research, Kevin, a sometimes-violent teenager with severe emotional a narrative ethnography in which I studied the social disturbance in a family environment of poverty and stress. construction of hope through communication in a children’s In this ethnography of a children’s mental health care team, mental health care team,” Dr. Davis said. “I studied the Dr. Davis delves deeply into how members of the team team’s systemic communication for over a year through create hope for themselves, for Kevin, and for his family participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus using a strengths orientation and future focus. The narrative groups. This research shows how a difficult situation can be highlights multiple voices and interpretations, Davis provides made more positive through communicating hope.” newsPROGRAMS & PEOPLE

Paddock Sets High Goals for Communication Studies New Learning Community

Craig Paddock freshman students in the fall of 2014. , named director of the Communication Studies Learning Community, will lead the first group of As director, Paddock will help orient freshmen to the University, the Communication Studies Department and to each other. “We know that students who develop connections with other students and with their department tend to do

said. better in college -- that is, they graduate on time, their grades are better and they are generally just more engaged,” he J.The students will take an orientation class together where they will be introduced to study methods, support services, Public Speaking together the following spring,” he said. “I’d also like to do some activities together around Charlotte -- such as the Learning Center, and the various tracks in the major. “They’ll take this orientation class in the fall and and create that sense of community that will encourage them to thrive in the college setting. fun things that will just build a bond among the students. Hopefully, all this will help them develop lasting friendships

“Getting to know students and helping them succeed is by far the best part of my job,” he added. “I think this learning community job will help me do that in a very direct way, where I’ll be impacting people’s lives.”

Hanson Takes on Wyoming Expedition with Levine Scholars

enior lecturer Sandy Hanson will be a faculty facil- Absarokas wherever in the world they choose to travel. itator this summer (’13) for the incoming Levine S Scholars on a 90-mile, 25-day-long hike through “I regularly teach and preach the value of cohesion-build- the Absaroka Mountain Range on the Wyoming Expedi- ing activities for my Small Group classes,” Hanson tion. The Levine Scholars foundation prepares scholars to said. “Sending the latest cohort of Levine Scholars on a assume leadership roles through teamwork and communication skills, as well as to help them apply effective collective experiences will solidify supportive relation- decision-making tools for real world scenarios. shipswilderness for their expedition years here exemplifies at UNC Charlotte this concept and beyond.since the Professionally, I look forward to observing the devel- For 25 days, they will travel through “lush valleys sur- opment of the group(s) and relationships as we forge rounded by sheer cliffs of crumbly volcanic breccia” of the Absaroka mountains. The course is a classic moun- too well that challenges are thrust upon us every day, but tain expedition. “This magical environment is one of the thisthrough is a challengedifficult and I chose exciting for myself.times. Personally, I’m looking I forwardknow all most pristine areas left in the lower 48 states.” The par- to learning more about myself as I embrace what will ticipants will use the skills they learn while exploring the surely be an experience of a lifetime! 11

Chancellor’s Diversity Grant funds speaker Dubriwny and Adams

he Department of Communication Studies and the T Chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund welcomed Dr. Tasha Dubriwny on Feb. 11 to discuss her recently published book, “The Vulnerable Woman: Feminism, Postfeminism and Women’s Health.”

Dr. Dubriwny is an Assistant Professor in the Communications Department and the Women and Gender Studies program at Texas A&M where her research focuses on the connections between feminism, health, and politics. In her book, she analyzes popular media representations to understand the ways that women’s health problems are discussed in the American public.

r. Tony Adams, Assistant Professor in the Depart- D ment of Communication, Media and Theatre at Northeastern Illinois University, spoke on March 18 to a packed audience in one of Fretwell’s lecture halls.

Adams spoke about his book, “Narrating the Closet: An Au- toethnography of Same Sex Attraction,” and his experiences with “the closet” as a relational construct between people and their sexualities. His book explores each stage of the

experiences.closet, from entering The talk it, was to inhabitingfollowed by it, a and short finally, question coming andout ofanswer it, as well session. as strategies for reframing difficult closet

Adams’ talk was one of two programs coordinated by Dr. - cellor’s Diversity Challenge grant. Jillian Tullis and Dr. Margaret Quinlan funded by the Chan newsCOMMUNITY OUTREACH & STUDIES

“Should We Right Past Wrongs?” Public Radio Discussion Expolores Ethical Issues

Pictured (left to right) at WFAE’s studio: Elliot Hamer, Dr. Margaret Quinlan, Kirsten Sikkelee, Host Mike Collins, and Dr. Dan Grano

hree members of the Charlotte Talks program on “Should monetary compensation would not T Communication Studies We Right Past Wrongs?” North right the wrongs that had been done department at UNC Charlotte to the victims. efforts to compensate victims panel about the ethics of reparation ofCarolina forced statesterilization officials from are making the “I believe that Dan, Elliot and I are andspoke whether out on today’sa Jan. 24 generation WFAE radio former North Carolina Eugenics supportive of reparations if that is should be responsible to right the program that took place from 1929 what the state decides,” Quinlan said. wrongs committed by previous to 1974. Former Gov. Mike Easley “We are glad that our state has taken generations. Associate Professor issued formal apologies on behalf of on this issue and is looking back at Dr. Dan Grano, Assistant Professor North Carolina state leaders for the what was done in the state--- we Dr. Margaret Quinlan, Elliot Hamer, sterilization of 7,600 people in the hope that it never happens again.” an MA student in the Department of Communication Studies and compensate the survivors have failed Kirsten Sikkelee - CEO of the YWCA thuslast century. far. Key Effortsarguments to financially in the debate of Charlotte, participated in the for survivor reparations were that 13

Graduate Student Plays Vital Role in NC Eugenics Program Reasearch

ne of the major perks of the Department’s master’s current and archived state documents. He also helped the program is the opportunity students have to work team code the data. While the research project is still in O with the graduate faculty on their research. During progress, it has already been presented on WFAE’s Charlotte his second semester, graduate student and assistant Elliot Talks and as a special presentation at the YWCA in 2013. Hamer, engaged in several informal hallway conversations “It has been valuable as I learned first hand about the with Dr. Margaret Quinlan and Dr. Dan Grano about research process and it has certainly been great to gain the eugenics in North Carolina and current efforts to obtain experience of working alongside two professors in our very compensation for survivors. The scholars were interested in own department,” Elliot said. “Ultimately, it is very hard to why the state’s eugenics program was particularly shocking prognosticate what kind of practical outcomes could come and how the public discourse about compensating victims out of the first paper we plan to write. But since we have raised real tensions in understanding our past. When the had our talk with the YWCA I’ve thought a lot about how graduate faculty members discussed starting this project one of my real goals for communication scholarship is to together, Elliot approached proposed an independent have my projects and writings create some kind of positive study. For the past year, he has helped research local and impact in the community.” national newspaper articles on eugenics and legislative debates on the bill to compensate victims from both

MA Student Heads to Ohio for Ph.D.

risten Okamoto, a second-year graduate student finishing up her thesis titled “Running alone, together: An ethnographic study of the embodied experiences of RunningWorks athletes,” recently accepted a fully-funded position in K Ohio University’s Communication Studies doctoral program. Kristen, a Charlotte native, said that she entered graduate school knowing she wanted to go on for her Ph.D. The process for applying to Ph.D programs can be daunting while cou- pled with the demands of a master’s program. Kristen’s specific situation was made even more complicated because she applied while studying abroad in Germany. She submitted her applications to several schools in mid-December, received notice of acceptance from Ohio University in mid-January and accepted the offer in mid-March. When asked about how she felt about the acceptance phone call from Ohio U., she said, “I silently jumped up and down in my living room as he spoke. In that moment, I felt validated, as if my hard word had paid off.” She also said that without the support of the graduate faculty, especially her thesis advisor, Dr. Margaret Quinlan, her friends and her family, that none of this would be possible. “It is a huge honor to have Kristen accept and attend (with full funding!) Ohio University where I received my Ph.D,” Dr. Quinlan said. “I am incredibly proud of her and am looking forward to watching her grow while working on her doctorate. It will be nice to see her at conferences and to have her as a life-long colleague. Go 49ers and Bobcats!”

newsGRANTS & INTERNSHIPS

PR Practicum Students Help Purify North Carolina’s Water T o help keep their water clean, more than 2 million wate utility customers across North Carolina are partially greasedepending (FOG). As onpart documents of a nearly flowing $50,000 out grant, of a Communication the students will Studies present Department their FOG prevention class this spring. items toIn 12the state classroom, water utilitiesnine at PRthe Practicum end of the studentssemester. are The creating experience educational has allowed materials students to help to merge prevent public sewer relations overflows and from chemistry, fat, oil or with planned outreach including a recipe book and accompanying video blog, grease can-decorating contests and

departmental access to professional-grade stock photography. “Participating in the PR Practicum course has allowed a jingle-based social media plan students hope will be the next “Harlem Shake.” The grant has also funded the first also represented the class in an undergraduate poster session at the Water Resources Research Institute conference in March.me to tap “Being into myable creative to produce abilities actual in productsmore ways that than may I could be distributed have ever to imagined,” customers said encourages student Alexes me to workJohnson, extremely who hard and produce the best-looking products possible.” Robin Rothberg

(Note: The FOG project originated in 2010 when the North Carolina Urban Consortium funded a grant to help create a communication “roadmap”. Dr. Alan Freitag, Dr. Cliff Scott and Dr. Maria Oliveira oversaw the project. Robin Rothberg teaches the PR Practicum course working on the project this spring.)

(from left) Shayla Sadler, Ashley Heath and Erica McDaniel present drafts of PR Practicum

work to officials from the city of Durham water utility. 15

The Communication Studies department held its second annual Spring Internship Fair on March 13 at the Student Union. Seventeen organizations attended the fair to give Communication Studies students an opportunity to network with potential sponsors and look for a professional internship. About 60 students attended

experience. Internship Director Staci Kuntzman,the fair and who seemed organized satisfied the with fair, theirsaid she would like to see a stronger turnout Spring Internship Fair for future internship fairs.

Grant-Funded Course Hones Student Writing Skills on the Arts

riting About the Arts and Culture,” a grant- funded class, exposes UNC Charlotte students to new art forms W as well as a variety of cultural experiences. “Our students venture critically into a host of different arts, . The students’ works are published on a student blog website with hopes they get picked up by publications who from popular music and opera to television, theatre, the visual arts and film,” said lecturer John Schacht theparticipate help of Williamin the Charlotte Zinsser’s Arts seminal Journalism text ‘On Alliance Writing (CAJA). Well,’ the “From goal a is journalism for students standpoint, to come out the of students the course get withthe strongbenefit self-editing of the same skills, thorough the kind editing that I applylead to to the the concise professional and engaging writers articlesI work with that everygrab and day,” keep Schacht a reader’s says. “Withattention throughout.”

Schacht and Cheryl Spainhour were also tapped to teach free community writing courses on the arts offered at Center City in the spring, where students honed interviewing and writing skills about local arts festivals. Their work was published on the CAJA workshop website. website.The classes were made possible by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, that “aims to help sustain democracy by leading journalism to its best possible future in the 21st century,” according to the organization’s FORENSICS TEAM, newsHONOR SOCIETY & SCHOLARSHIPS

16 Forensics Team Racks up Awards Lambda Pi ETA Communication Honor Society UNC Charlotte Nu Lambda Chapter Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 Inductees

CFA AT THE BEACH CFA HOLIDAY FORENSICS CFA FALL INVITATIONAL FORENSICS TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT FORENSICS TOURNAMENT Alex Krzynski Hoke Pittman Hala Sadek • 5th in Duo • 6th place Impromptu Speaking • 3rd in Declamation Jaleel Boone • 2nd place Duo Improvisation • 5th in Dramatic Interpretation • 4th in Poetry • 2nd place Dramatic Interpretation • 1st place Prose Hoke Pittman Samantha Kong • 6th place Pentathlon (reserved for speak- • 5th in Prose • 6th in Persuasion ers who compete in 5 or more events from • 1st in Dramatic Interpretation Matthew Morales each category of • 6th in DI forensic speech) Matthew Morales • 2nd in Dramatic Interpretation Hoke Pittman Hoke Pittman Alex Krzyinski • 2nd in Poetry • 5th in ImpromptuImpromptu • 2nd place Duo Improvisation • 5th in Duo • 5th in Duo • 2nd place Impromptu Speaking TEAM AWARD • 2nd in Prose • 2nd in Prose • 5th team sweestakes • 2nd in DI • 2nd in DI Kate Wedman • 1st in Penthalon (reserved for speakers • 1st in Penthalon (reserved • 6th place Communication Analysis forwho speakers compete who in 5 orcompete more events in from 5 or more events from each TEAM AWARD peech)category of forensic speech) • 6th team sweepstakes TEAM AWARD • 4th team sweepstakes

YEARLY AWARDS Hoke Pittman Brycie Baber Forensics Scholarship • 2nd place DI of the year • 1st place prose of the year 17 Lambda Pi ETA Communication Honor Society UNC Charlotte Nu Lambda Chapter Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 Inductees

(NCA), and is also an accredited honor society through the Association of College Honor Societies L (ACHS).ambda Pi Lambda Eta is the Pi Etaofficial is an undergraduate academic honor honor that society enhances of thea student’s National resume Communication and LPE members Association have

visible reminder of students’ work ethic and commitment to Communication Studies- a commitment that is appreciatedthe benefit of and establishing recognized,” long-term said Melody connections Dixon-Brown to fellow, who members serves of as the the NCA. Society’s “Lambda advisor. Pi Eta serves as a

Students who meet the following criteria are invited to join Lambda Pi Eta: - At least 3.0 GPA - At least- Communication 3.25 GPA in Communication Studies Major Studies - At least 60 cumulative credit hours - At least 12 hours in Communication Studies

CFA FALL INVITATIONAL Fall 2012 Spring 2013 FORENSICS TOURNAMENT Ryanne Bennett Jenna Hege Elizabeth Considine Mallory Holmes Samnatha Falchook Alexandra Jamieson Abigail Hendrix Victoria Karlek Camillia McKay Angelica Mitchell Melissa Medaugh Kayla Sutton Niala Samnarine Theresa Sutton Justin White Katherine Tomey Khiara McMillin Kerrie Ward Charis Leitch

2012-13 Lambda Pi Eta executive team: President Chase McBride (left) and Treasurer Regina Davis THE 2013 COMMUNICATION STUDIES DEPARTMENT’S SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE:

Cy N. Bahakel Scholarship Hector Linares and Justin Allen White

Brycie Baber Forensics Scholarship Hoke Pittman and Matthew Morales

Rebecca and Walter Roberts Scholarship Johnetta Mendez, Kayla Sutton and Rand Alkurd newsCLUBS & INTERNSHIPS

Health Communication Club News he Health Communication Club has had a busy year T with events and visits from health scholars and speakers. The club has hosted three speakers on campus who gave talks about social marketing, feminism and women’s health, and LGBT experiences. Recruiting and promoting efforts from Stephanie Brown, Amanda Hodgin, and Sandy Hanson have paid off as the club added 15 new members this past semester.

In March the Health Communication Club hosted a blood drive with the help of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC). Of the 81 people who attended the

because of all of HCC’s efforts and the generosity of the donorsdrive, 54 that were CBCC able will to donate.be able toDr. help Jillian at Tullisleast 162 said, patients “It is

prizes every hour and each donor received a T-shirt forstaying donating. at our local hospitals.” The club gave away raffle

C.S.S.A- News

n the past year, CSSA has improved and grown as an organization. CSSA is designed to help students of all I majors learn communication and journalism skills as well as network with others in the major. The Student Government Association assists CSSA, granting the organization money to purchase materials for events and trips. The young organization has come a long way since it became an established organization on campus a couple years ago. At the end of last semester, CSSA hosted a cupcake mixer for members and faculty to bond and learn more about one another: CSSA Students from the Communication Studies Department interned at the Democratic National Convention held in Charlotte in September, 2013. Internships included acquired two new executive committee members. CSSA also played a role in the Communication Studies Internship Fair student asked questions to the panel on an election broadcast special CBS, CNN, Fox News, New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Above, journalism in March. Many members attended a WBTV newsroom tour, before theAnita convention. Shivraj led by Amanda Devoe, to give them a taste of what it is like of PBS "Washington Week with Gwen Ifill," recorded in Robinson Hall on the Friday to be a broadcast journalist. CSSA works with other groups CSSA (2012-2013): on campus, such as the Student Niner Media. Membership chair Sarah Obeid hosted a journalism event with guest Faculty Adcisor- Debbie Baker speaker Haley Twist, Editor-in-chief of the Niner Times, who President- Sydney Morehead informed members about how to get published on campus, Vice President- Darien Talley what Niner Media has to offer, and internship opportunities in Secretary- Amando Devoe the journalism field. CSSA has been successful as its members Treasurer- Amanda Sobkowiak continue to work to promote communication-related topics, Membership Chair- Sarah Obeid such as interviewing skills and resume writing. Programs Chair- Kelsey Bailey

Sarah Obeid, Membership Chair

PRSSA Reginal Conference Held at UNC Charlotte’s Center City

NC Charlotte’s chapter of The Public Relations Student Society of America hosted the 2013 Region U 7 PRSSA Conference. PRSSA students from North Carolina South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and West Virginia attended the conference on April 27 at UNCC’s Center City campus in uptown Charlotte. The 2013 Regional Conference, titled “What’s Your Professional Value … Are You In-Demand?” “informed public relations students about the skills they’ll need to become an invaluable asset to any company,” said Charlotte’s PRSSA President Samantha Falchook. “Attendees were equipped with the knowledge and skills infrequently taught in the classroom. Topics covered included: social media strategies, self- branding, networking, international public relations, and more.” Experienced and recognized public relations professionals from across the country presented at the conference. alumniEYE ON ALUMNI

20 Jordan Jaws about Journalism

Jason Jordan (’04) is everything a teacher could hope for in a former stu whendent. Thehe’s 31-year-old not traveling Rocky the country Mount nativefor USA has Today, shot reporting up in the journalismand writing aboutfield with the uphard and work coming and perseverance.high school basketball He lives playerswith his who wife will in Raleigh likely be -

Andstarting he gives players back in totheir his NCAAAlma materfutures. anytime Jason graduated he’s asked with – he’s a Communicaautomatic -- tion Studies degree on the Media Studies track and minored in Journalism.

always available to current students interested in sports journalism careers.- nalists.I recently -- Cherylcaught Spainhourup with Jason to inquire about his journalism career and I also asked him to share advice with students interested in becoming jour

Q. Tell us about what you’re doing these days with Q. What skills did you hone while you studied at Q. What are your future career plans? USA Today. UNC Charlotte? What were some of the classes that challenged you the most? A. I get this question a lot and I feel like I should A. I’m covering national college basketball recruit- have this really well thought out, cool answer but ing and high schools. A. My writing skills were developed in my some point I’ll probably move over to the editor’s Q. chairI’m doing but Imy love dream being job among right people now. I’m and sure covering at you graduated in 2004? And how have they helped featurejournalism writing classes! class. That’s I was 100 so intrigued percent true. at how I tell tournaments. I’m headed to Texas next week for a youWhat get to other the level journalism you are jobs at today? have you had since youpeople could this make all the a simpletime. Specifically story become the a[advanced] movie in someone’s mind by being descriptive and using an athlete and his family. I’m a relationship guy. A. Istory like towhere build I’m bonds literally with just people spending so I don’t time see with Press in Virginia. This is where I learned to be a become a sports writer. myself wanting to stop this any time soon. reporter. My first I think job out newspapers of college wasgive atthe the best Daily training the right flow. This class is what made me want to for the basics of this profession. I spent four years Q. You’ve always reached out to our undergrad- Q. Anything else you’d like to add? there and came back to ESPN in 2008. After four which is such a great attribute for an alum. What A. of 2012. ESPN gave me the national platform and areuate some students of the who things are you’veinterested passed in journalism, on to them? process of pursuing the dreams, but to never lose theyears freedom with ESPN, to be I creativejoined USA and Today I really in took September advan- focus I just of them.want studentsYou may tohave learn to startto enjoy out thecovering tage of that. Now I’ve got even more of the same A. The biggest thing I tell them is to write, write, the nursing home beat at a 10,000 circulation thing at USA Today. It’s truly a blessing. write! You have to get reps to be the best. I wrote for NinerOnline.com for a full year, over 130 Pick the brains of the grandmothers there and Q. The summer after you graduated, you interned articles, for free. You’ve got to love this. I have gainnewspaper, some wisdom but find in something other areas cool of yourabout life. that. for ESPN in New York City, and as we all know, a never thought about what I do as work. I swear pricey place to live. Was it worth it? Do you think I’m robbing USA Today blind. Reps are the most part about the worst assignments, you WILL be internships are a necessity for undergraduate important thing. Also, as much as you work on be- successfulIf you have because the ability you’ll to do write that, great find stuff.the cool I used ing a better writer, you’ve got to work on your re- to have to cover high school swim meets and golf latability. Contacts and access are key in my line of A.students Well, thewho good want thing to pursue about journalism? the internship with work and I’m naturally good at relating to people. it. Trust me -- that is hard to do. Always remember ESPN was that it was fully paid, which included But it’s something that can also be learned. The tomatches stay encouraged and I’d always because find yoursomething time will cool come. about housing in the city. It was one of those once-in-a- other thing is you’ve got to aggressively pursue big lifetime gigs. I don’t say that in a bragging way, I internships. Don’t settle for the local paper: go for CNN or the New York Times or ESPN. Go big. What and did a video interview with an up and coming are an absolute must. I can’t stress that enough. In N.C.LINK: sixth While grader working who wasat ESPN, drawing Jason a lotwrote of atten a story- thisjust knowbusiness how experience blessed I wasis everything. to land it. InternshipsI interned get hundreds of “no’s” but that one yes will help with the Charlotte Observer during the year. I youcan theydevelop tell amnesiayou, no? Newsflash,about all of you’rethem. Zerogoing in to on - always tell kids college is necessary, but you’ve what you want to do and where you want to work er,tion is in “still the doing world really of basketball. well. The Update: seventh Jason grader said is got to make it work for you too. Your goal as a alreadyDamon Hargebeing heavilyJr., who recruitedis currently by atop seventh-grad colleges.” freshman should be to get the best internship pos- stay in touch. Be transparent about your situation. Here’s the link: http://espn.go.com/high-school/ sible. And have a better one each summer. Make and find someone’s email in that company and boys-basketball/story/_/id/7330294/sixth-grad- where you want to ultimately work the goal. Get er-next-hoops-phenom?eleven=twelve an internship there. Don’t take no for an answer. It’sBe relentless,not easy, but but ‘when’ find the it allbalance works between out in the being end, You’ve truly got to be relentless in the pursuit of it’sdriven pretty and sweet! just being annoying to your contacts. your dream. 21 Graduate Alum Finds Success in California’s “City of Love”

Heidi Germain graduated from the Department’s MA program in the Spring of 2012. While UNC Charlotte offers a generalist program, Heidi’s research and interest area focused on organizational communication. Her thesis, titled “Coaching conversations: A discussion of professional identity among executive coaches,” explored the ways that executive coaches construct and perform their professional identity through behaviors and how who they are in an unregulat- ed industry. Heidithey define recently answered questions from her Califor- nia home about her experience at UNC Charlotte and how it has contributed to her current success.

Q. Where are you currently working and how did you find this job? A. I currently work at Burson-Marsteller, - probably the most memorable is when For prospective students, do informational a global PR firm in San Francisco, Calif. I ran into the building sign with my car at interviews, visit the campus, and visit the I found this job through a contact from Queens University complex on my way to city. Make sure it’s a good fit for you and undergrad. I originally began as an intern a meeting with the group I was studying what you want to accomplish. Also, think and after the internship was hired on full- for my thesis. I remember standing in about what you want to accomplish from time into the corporate/financial practice. a flower garden in my suit waving at going to grad school and what that’s going I work on several clients such as US Trust, all my interviewees as they pulled into to do for your future success, don’t just go Great Place to Work Institute, Novartis, their meeting. One of the reasons it was because you’re unsure of your next step. UnitedHealthcare, and Ford as well as memorable was not because my car was several start-up clients in the Valley. stuck in a flower patch, embedded in a Q. Why did you choose UNC Charlotte? sign, but rather that I had come to know A. I chose UNC Charlotte because of the Q. What skill did you learn in the the group I was studying well and many focus on research and the well-known Communication Studies M.A. program that stopped to chat and see if I needed help. faculty. I did an informational interview with help you in your current position? It was mortifying but hilarious, and it was my soon-to-be adviser (wasn’t planned that A. All of the skills I developed in the MA toward the end of my thesis days. And way) while I was in undergrad. After speaking program are invaluable but, I think two then of course, the next memorable event with her I decided that the program was skills that helped the most are writing for was defending my thesis. the right fit. I also felt that Charlotte was a different audiences and tailoring messages. great location for career opportunity after Understanding that you aren’t able to use a Q. What tips do you have for current and graduating as well as research opportunity blanket message for everyone makes a huge prospective students? during the program. The program is unique difference to clients and contributes greatly A. For current students, the first semester where you are able to choose your path and to your team. is the hardest. If you think you can’t do try different courses you wouldn’t otherwise it, chances are everyone else thinks they take. Overall, there’s no other place that can’t do it either. But you can and you will. I saw myself and I’m lucky to have studied Q. What was your most memorable Also, don’t give up on what you set out under such great professors that encouraged moment as a graduate student at UNCC? to do. For instance, if you choose to go me to go either to academia or practice. A. There are so many memorable moments the thesis route, have faith: you and your as a graduate student that are unforgettable committee will get you through.

For prospective students, do informational newsGRADUATE PROGRAM

22 Congratulations to the 2012/2013 Graduates of the MA Program!

A Look Back: Sayde Brais, who graduated in summer 2012, was recently hired through a competitive search as a lecturer for our Department beginning Fall 2013. Sayde will be primarily teaching Communication Research Methods. David Askay (2011), who received his MA in our department in 2011, recently successfully defended his Dissertation Proposal in the Organizational Science

Chelsea Wilde (2012) won the gradate school’s Outstanding Thesis in Humanities Award this year. Morgan Smalls (2012) is a lec- turerPhD program of Communication and was hired Studies for a at tenure Columbia track College. Assistant Heidi Professor Germain job (2012) at University is a public of California relations practitionerPoly State for at fall Burson-Marsteller 2013. in San Francisco. Rebecca Potts (2010) says she’s planning to return to Charlotte from New York in the near future. Brian Richards (2012) is Coordinator for the Carolina Diversity Council.

Here and Now: I’d also like to congratulate our current graduate students who have made us proud time and time again this Nan Wilson and Rachael Thomas -

year. To name just a few accomplishments: first year students just did a fantastic job at their re search presentation on “Millennials’ Perceptions of CEO’s Social Media Use and Its Effect on Job-Seeking Patterns” at the Graduate intelligentResearch Symposium! and poised and Their handled research questions was supervised beautifully. by KenechukwuDr. Jaehee Cho. Onwugbolu In the audience was awarded were CLAS the DeanHalton Nancy Scholarship Gutierrez, for UNCCStudy AbroadProvost thisJoan year. Lorden, chair of graduate council Rob Roy McGregor, Dr. Jaehee Cho and Dr. Christine Davis. Nan and Rachael were

To our 2012/2013 graduates: We have a record graduating class this year, and have surpassed our 75th graduate of the program! In fact, we expect we will reach 85 graduates by the end of the summer. Dr. Christine Davis

#70: Amanda Agee: #73: Kaitlin Rogers: Amanda completed her thesis titled “PR and Community in a Social Me- Prior to graduation Kaitlin was a Graduate Assistant for undergraduate dia Setting” in September under the direction of Dr. Dean Kruckeberg. Business Communications and Communications Theory courses, and Drs. Freitag and Stokes were also on her committee. Dr. Kruckeberg assisted faculty in their scholarship research as a Research Assistant. - Kaitlin is now the Public Relations Manager for Burke Communications, nity building theory from the 1980s in a contemporary context. A paper basedsays that on inher her thesis thesis, was Amanda presented did anda good received job in positiveextending feedback the commu at the involved with the Charlotte chapters of PRSA a full-service marketing and creative design firm in Charlotte, NC. She is Amanda has recently returned to Charlotte after working for Edelman and IABC, and has plans to earn her APR in the near future. Kaitlin com- PRInternational agency in Chicago.Public Relations Research Conference in Miami in June. pleted her comprehensive examination in the fall under the direction of Dr. Ashli Stokes. Drs. Freitag and Kruckeberg were on her committee. #71: Sherri Fairbairn: Kaitlin assisted Dr. Stokes with her research on activism and public rela- Sherri completed her thesis titled “Autoethnography of being a mother tions and Dr. Davis with her research on Community Based Participato- of a child with Down Syndrome” in the fall, under the direction of Dr. ry Research in healthcare. Maggie Quinlan. Dr. Tullis and Dr. Davis were also on her committee. While a student, Sherri gave numerous research presentations at con- #74: Carrie Vass: ferences. Since graduating, she’s been taking the class “Teaching at the Carrie successfully completed her comprehensive exam under the direc- College Level,” and she looks forward to teaching in our department in tion of Dr. Dan Grano. Drs. Tullis and Stokes were also on her committee. the fall. Sherri presented a paper at the Southern Gerontological Society In her classes, Carrie has conducted a critical analysis on mediated conference a few weeks ago, and also co-presented a workshop with Dr. representations of Ashley Dupre--the former prostitute involved with Davis on “Family Stories” at that conference. Dr. Quinlan says that Sherri is one of the strongest students she has worked with and is a great Corporations discourse surrounding allegations that its drinks are writer. NY governor, Eliot Spitzer; a rhetorical analysis of Monster Beverage

#72: Melinda Skutnick: complex,unsafe; an and analysis ideological of public state discourse apparatuses. surrounding Carrie is the Vice “birth President control for Melinda successfully completed her comprehensive exams in Novem- themandate Communication debate;” and Studies other Graduateresearch onStudent post-feminism, Association the (CSGSA) Oedipus this year. She held a graduate assistantship in which she conducted qualita- were also on her committee. While enrolled in our program (and still), Melindaber, under worked the direction full time of as Dr. Communication Min Jiang. Drs. KruckebergSpecialist for and the Gossett Town of library anthropologist. Dr. Quinlan says that she’s appreciated Carrie’s Harrisburg. intelligenttive research and for thoughtful the Atkins discourse Library Ethnography in her class. Project, working with 23 #75: Oluwakemi Obasola: Kristen Okamoto: Kemi successfully completed her comprehensive exam under the direc- Kristen’s research interests lie at the intersections of health, marginalization, - mittee. Kemi has been working with Dr. Gossett’s research into how the populationand social justice. through Her running. thesis workShe will was begin guided work by towardsnarrative her and PhD ethnographic at Ohio Univer - tion of Dr. Jillian Tullis. Drs. Gossett and Freitag were also on her com UNCC Graduate School should best move from paper to online system. sitysensibilities in the fall. and Kristen involved is completing a local non-profit her thesis organization under the thatdirection serves of the Dr. homelessMaggie Quinlan. Drs. Tullis and Grano are also on her committee. Dr. Quinlan says that she plans to get her Ph.D. in Media and Communication. Dr. Tullis says that appreciates Kristen’s intelligence, good writing ability, and community involvement Kemi isplans one toof gothe into most the polite, field ofrespectful, public relations and hard-working while she works students on and she looks forward to watching Dr. Okamoto’s future. she has worked with. Kemi is currently helping Dr. Davis on her research on end-of-life communication, and Dr. Davis says she appreciates her Julian Boucherle: hard work, curiosity, and industriousness. mastersJulian Boucherle in COMM, received which emphasized his B.A. in organizational courses in both communication the org comm. from and PR.UNC #76: Emily Tamilin: Charlotte in December, 2012. Julian has spent the last two years completing his After earning a BA in Political Science and Women’s Studies from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009, Emily wanted to pursue her interests Julian is interested in working in the area of community relations and campaign in Communication Studies. Drawing on these interests, her qualitative completingdevelopment, his especially comprehensive in the contextexamination of small under businesses. the direction In his of spare Dr. Cliff time, Scott. Julian plays guitar and sings in the Jon Linker Band, a local southern rock group. Julian is research focuses on gender, sexuality and politics. In employing rhetorical strategies, Emily is interested in interrogating the ways that popular IvanaDrs. Gossett Baric: and Jiang are on his committee. and political discourses reinforce and resist dominate ideologies. She is Ivana has worked as the Graduate Assistant at the University Career Center. She President of the Communication Studies Graduate Student Association with her. Emily also was Graduate Assistant to Dr. Davis and Dr. Crane, was also the senator for CSGSA last year and the secretary this year. She joined and(CSGSA) both this say year,she is and a GA Dr. extraordinaire Davis says she and has Dr. greatly Crane enjoyed says about working her, she thePRSSA workplace, and says interracial enjoyed all relationship the different communication, topics she’s researched and currently and written a rheological proposals on throughout the program such as online health support, conflict in is “the Rocky Bleir (Pittsburgh Steelers) of grad students.” Dr. Quinlan criticism on a topic related to politics and religion which she says is always a pretty interesting debate. Ivana is completing her comprehensive examination under the commends Emily on her leadership ability and her being a role model for other students and her ability to clearly articulate herself as a communication scholar. Emily successfully completed her comprehensive Kayladirection Maynarich of Dr. Min Jiang. Drs. Scott and Freitag are also on her committee. exams under the direction of Dr. Maggie Quinlan. Drs. Tullis and Grano Kayla has spent the past two years working as a Graduate Assistant for the Depart- were also on her committee. ment of Recreational Services. This position has allowed her to assist in planning

#77: Elliot Hamer: Tournament. Kayla has also served as a volunteer to the Ronald McDonald House (RMH)major events for the including past six years. RecFest, Last 49er semester Gold Rush she had 5k, andthe opportunitythe On the Green to work Golf as a Elliot received his bachelor of arts from UNCC in Communication Studies Communications and Development intern for the RMH of Charlotte. She helped to with a minor in Film Studies. He says he was drawn to the program for develop a new fundraising initiative named the Million Tab Challenge in order to his interests in media studies and sports. He’s currently working on a increase pop-tab donations across local elementary schools. One of her favorite rhetorical criticism of survivors’ narratives after North Carolina’s eugen- moments during the graduate program was traveling to London to participate in ics program and a qualitative study on student motivations for taking the International Public Relations Seminar. Kayla is completing her comprehensive online course evaluations. After graduation, he’s moving to Madison, WI next semester to pursue his dream as a cheese salesman, a career that her committee. examination under the direction of Dr. Min Jiang. Drs. Quinlan and Freitag are on our program has clearly prepared him for. Elliot completed his compre- Ashley Peckham: were on his committee. impacting organization-public dialogue and changing the power dynamics of orga- hensive exam under the direction of Dr. Dan Grano. Drs. Jiang and Crane nization-publicAshley’s thesis examinesrelationships. how Insocial her mediatwo years is redefining at UNC Charlotte, the notion she of has publics, been an Next to graduate: active member in Graduate & Professional Student Government (GPSG) and serves Sarah Burton: as its Public Relations Cabinet Member. Through her involvement with GPSG, she helped plan the Graduate Research Symposium. Additionally, her Graduate Assis- Christine Davis, on “Organizational Identity and Alumni Giving.” Graduates should tantship with the Housing and Residence Life Department gave her the opportunity stay-tuned,Sarah successfully as the program completed will her begin directed implementing project under Sarah’s the recommendations direction of Dr. on to connect and network with departments across campus, and supervise and engaging graduate alumni. Drs. Long and Gossett are also on her committee. Sarah advise undergraduates living on campus. Ashley is completing her thesis under the has been a CSGSA Senator, she interned at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce for 3 months, and she was Graduate Assistant for the Tutorial Services program. Dr. Davis says that Sarah is one of the best writers she has supervised, and Sarah’s Reginadirection Young: of Dr. Min Jiang. Drs. Freitag and Kruckeberg are on her committee. Regina will successful defend her thesis this summer, an autoethnographic narra- Fargo as a Learning and Development Specialist. directed project was thorough and solid. Sarah just started a new position at Wells Nick Woods: theorytive titled of depression,“Living with and Two a Wounds:theory of Majorintrapersonal Depressive dialogue. disorder Regina and breastco-presented Cancer,” a Nick says to say he is a big sports fan (especially NBA and college football) and he workshopa project combining with Dr. Davis narrative on “Family theory Stories” with muted at the group Southern theory, Gerontological Beck’s cognitive Society always knew his thesis would come from a sports-related problem/issue. Also, another interesting thing to know about his is that he comes from a family that has Christine Davis. Dr. Quinlan and Dr. Warren-Findlow of the Public Health Sciences placed an emphasis on higher education – his mom, dad, stepdad, stepmom, and Dept.conference are on in her March. committee. Regina Dr.is finishing Davis says her that dissertation Regina’s thesis under is the intellectually direction of and Dr. grandparents also have Masters degrees. Nick is completing his thesis under the theoretically sound and her writing is emotionally engaging. direction of Dr. Dan Grano and Dr. Grano says that Nick’s thesis is one of the best he has overseen. Drs. Jiang and CraneCongratulations are on his committee. to our graduating MA students! newsGRADUATE PROGRAM NEWS

24 Communication Studies Graduate Student Association Wrap up with the Power of Girls and Promising Pages

SGSA hand with the Power of Girls program in their annual service day. The program works with the Girl Scouts of C America members toward visited helping Martin girls lift Luther themselves King, Jr. and Middle their School communities in Charlotte out of last poverty. fall (2012) The event to lend featured a helping a book wrapping party with Promising Pages, an organization dedicated to recycling used books and gifting them to children in need. Members of CSGSA worked with Promising Pages and the Power of Girls to wrap hundreds of children’s books that were then donated to Charlotte’s Crisis Assistance Ministry. They also donated approximately 100 books to Promising Pages for future wrapping parties. When asked about the experience, Emily Tamilin, CSGSA president, said, “It was an amazing experience and an opportunity for us to donate our time to three worthwhile organizations in one day. We had a fantastic turnout from both students and their families. We hope to do volunteer outings like this one in the future.”

Recent Graduate Wins Thesis Award

helsea Wilde (2012 MA) won the Outstanding C Thesis in Humanities Award at last year’s Graduate For the world: A public relations approach to corporate social responsibilityResearch Fair forand her global project mega-events.” titled, ““For “It the was game, very rewarding to receive recognition for something I had put a lot of hard work and time into,” Chelsea said about the honor. “I’m also thankful for my committee’s guidance, which went a long way in helping me make my thesis the best it could be. And let’s be honest, the cash prize was an added bonus!” Her committee was chaired

“Working with Chelsea is an example of how a talented graduateby Dr. Ashli student Stokes, and who her enjoyed advisor working can work with together Chelsea. as an academic team,” Dr. Stokes said. “Chelsea had a fabulous idea and my role was to guide her through the process of fully exploring it. I am so proud that Chelsea’s work was featured across the University so that our excellent students and department get the recognition they deserve!”

Each year, the Graduate School and the Graduate Professional and Student Government (GPSG) sponsor This photograph was taken by Samantha Kaufman, a Commu- nication Studies student who traveled to a graduate research symposium to showcase the wide London with fellow student Amanda Sutherland over their range of research being done by the UNC Charlotte Spring (2013) break. The Communication Studies 11th annual graduate community. Study Abroad trip to London to study global public relations takes place early this summer. 25 Communication Studies Graduate Student Association Wrap up Ph.D. Student Wins Prestigious Award at NCA with the Power of Girls and Promising Pages avid Askay, (MA, 2011) a Ph.D. student in program, our college, and the university. To win such a

D the Communication Studies Department, received organization is recognition of the quality, relevance, and the prestigiousorganizational Donald science P. Cushman and adjunct Memorial lecturer Award for at importancenationally prestigious of David’s awardscholarship from ourand field’sit is a recognitionnational the National Communication Association Conference in of the quality of scholarship the Communication Studies Orlando, Fla. in November (2012). The award recognized and Organizational Science graduate programs produce.” his top-ranked-student-authored paper, “Silence in the Crowd: The Spiral of Silence Contributing to the Positive Bias of Opinions in an Online Review System.” When asked about this accomplishment, David said, “It was shocking for me to be recognized with the award because

the previous year. After following the reviewers’ advicethis paper and was speaking outright to some rejected of our at the fantastic same conferencefaculty, I made revisions and resubmitted. It goes to show the

Accordingimportance to of the not NCA giving website up just, this because highly a competitive paper may be awardrejected.” honors Dr. Cushman’s spirit for mentoring students and socializing them into the discipline. Dr. Cris Davis, the Department’s graduate coordinator, expressed pride, saying, “This is such an honor for David, our

David Askay (right) won the University’s Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year Award and Chelsea Wilde (left) won the University’s Master’s Thesis of the Year Award. Dr. Ashli Stokes and Dr. Loril Gossett are two of their professors.

MA Students Present Top Papers at CCA Conference

he Department was well-represented by two graduate students at the 2012 Carolinas Communication Associ- T ation Conference. MA students Heather Sackett and Elliot Hamer - presented her undergraduate thesis titled “Uses of Communication of Accommodationeach presented Theory for the withinfirst time Computer-Me at a confer - ence on Oct. 5-6, 2012, at the historic Rose Hill Estates in downtown Aiken, S.C. Heather, a first-year student, Elliot, a second-year .student, presented his paper titled “Faces of the net: An online ethnographic study of visual diated Communication and its Effect on the Language” as part of the Marry Jarrard Top Undergraduate Paper Panel.

wasinternet fairly memes” intimate.” as part of the Mary Jarrard Top Graduate Paper Panel. When asked about the experience, Elliot responded, “It worked out really well for me, as a first time attendee to any scholarly conference, because the setting The coming year’s conference will be held Oct. 5-6, 2013 at Central Piedmont Community College’s main campus in

information, visit the association’s website at http://www.carolinascommunication.org/ Charlotte. The theme will be “Communication and Civility in traditional and technological contexts.” To find out more COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION STUDIES CE STUDIES WEEK

Robert Bates, along with Founder Michael Fay, illustrators JeffreyJoe Bonham Fisher Project: and Victor Former Juhasz Marine and UNC Charlotte illustration major series of artwork displaying wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan and their agonizing – but determined, represented – road to therecovery. Joe Bonham The April Project, 22 a panel was moderated by Dr. Jon Crane in the Rowe Recital Hall.

Graduate Student Poster Session

Graduate students in the Communication Studies program showcased their research at a poster session and research fair on April 24. The meet-and-greet event was open to students, faculty, and community

graduate students about their topics. members to view the projects and speak with the

Dr. Michael Butterworth, Associate Professor of Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University, spoke at the SAC on April 23 as a part of Communications Studies Week. Nearly 100 students and staff attended the talk, titled “Presidential PECOTAS,” where Dr. Butterworth discussed the relationship between rhetoric, sports, and politics. COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION STUDIES CE LEBRATIONSTUDIES WEEKWEEK April 22-27

Communication Studies Years of Service

Melody Dixon-Brown (5 years) Dean Kruckeberg (5 years) Robin Rothberg (5 years) Debbie Kilby-Baker (10 years) Alumni from the Communication Studies Department Cheryl Spainhour (10 years) spoke on a panel moderated by Robin Rothberg about Alan Freitag (15 years) Jon Crane (25 years) the Cone conference room on April 25. Alum panelists “Howincluded: to Get Kathryn a Job You Taylor Love.” Students and facultyAJ packedMead, with the Charlotte 49ers Athletic Department, Consultant Kelly Wolf , of DallianceEmily Films; Robinson Associate Label Coordinator Cameron Crye. ; Logistics Coordinator ; and Global Public Relations Conference Presenters from as far away as Singapore, Macao,

of corporate communications – corporate citizenship andNigeria, community Egypt and affairs Poland programs, joined Microsoft’sat the Third director Annual Global Research Conference on April 26. Microsoft’s Tom Murphy gave the keynote address at the all-day event, “The Millennium Generation Communication Challenge,” sponsored by UNC Charlotte’s Center for Global Public Relations.

Photos by Christine Miller, Carrie Hallahan and Jordan Stutts newsNEW FACULTY

28 Plotnick Joins Faculty in Fall

he Communication Studies Department welcomes Rachel Plotnick as the new Media Studies Assistant Professor. This spring, Rachel T successfully defended her dissertation, “Signal and switch: a cultural history of the push-button interface,” at Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois. She says she also has her hands full with her family. She is a new mom to her son, Shane, and his four-legged sisters, bea-

timegles Lucy wearing and theseSophie. different During hats,” her rare she freesays, time, “and Rachel I have saysa fantastic she enjoys spouse painting and creative writing. “It’s a lot to juggle, but I’m having a great

Rachel[Stuart] earned to share her in master’s the ups anddegree downs in Communication, of everyday life.” Culture and Tech- nology Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. in 2007. She graduated from Indiana University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a

RachelCertificate and in Stuart Journalism. are looking forward to moving to Charlotte this summer and seeing what this new chapter in their lives will bring.

Alum Joins Department

he Communication Studies Department has added another new face and welcomes Sayde Brais as a new, full-time lecturer. Sayde T graduated from UNC Charlotte in May 2012 with a master’s degree focused in Organizational Communication. While earning her master’s degree, she worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, which led her to teaching at the college level. She also received her bachelor’s degree from UNC Charlotte in Communication Studies with an emphasis

in International Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. - - In her spare time, Sayde likes to take on extra research or service proj Saydeects. “I’m says, currently “which isworking focused on on a determiningresearch project the most with effectivethe Environmen ways to communicatetal Assistance toOffice target on communitiescampus and the about Urban the Waterproper Consortium ways to dispose of NC,” of cooking fats, oils, and grease --which is not down the drain!” She has

- municationworked on various and Virtual research Work. projects Her hobbies with multiple include facultyreading, members exercising, traveling.including Thisprojects spring, on Event she is Planning, spending Journalism,her spare time Organizational helping to plan Com her best friend’s wedding. STAFF Adventurous Alum Takes on Academic Advising Role

he Communication Studies Department would like to welcome to the team our new academic advisor, Adrienne Barnette. Adrienne T earned her master’s degree in School Counseling in 2007 from UNC Charlotte. She did her undergraduate work here as well, double-ma-

Priorjoring to in her Communication work at UNCC, Studies Adrienne and spent Psychology nearly ina year2004. in Los Angeles, performing in a rock and soul band, The Barnettes, with her siblings. She plays several instruments, including the bass guitar, electric guitar, “double-headed dragon” (which she says is a guitar with both a bass and electric guitar connected), violin and keyboard. In 2011, Adrienne and a friend retraced the 1961 Freedom Riders Route

for Peace,’ which is retracing the Underground Railroad via bicycle,” on their motorcycles. “My current project is ‘Carolina Character Pedal about character education and sharing with students important lessons on positive character.” This summer (2013), she’ll ride 800 miles on her bike with a teacherAdrienne from Cincinnati explained. to Canada. “The Pedal for Peace project, in similar fashion, is

“I think that adventurous spirit was developed through my time at UNC Charlotte as a student athlete,” says Adrienne.

“While attending UNC Charlotte I competed on the Track and Field Team as a high jumper.” oined the Communication Studies Department in 2012

D Administrator.avid Landrum jDavid may be new to the Department, but he has been a memberas the of thenew university Office Manager. community He also for serves nearly as two the decades. Budget andHe graduated Grant with UNC Charlotte’s class of 1997 and has been employed at the University since 2000. He previously held positions as an advisor for the Africana Stud- ies department as well as Grants Manager for the Writing Resource Center. Last fall, David took a long vacation to South Korea, where is mother’s family lives. He toured the country for two and a half weeks visiting places like the coastal city of Gyeongju and the volcanic island of Jeju. FACULTY Debbie Kilby Baker teaches Communication Research Methods and Debbie Kilby Baker, Senior Lecturer, has taught InterculturalScience. He joined Communication. the Department He has in publishedFall 2011 and articles undergraduate courses in business communication, small group, interpersonal communication contexts, and public Research and Human Communication Research. His main speaking – including Freshman Learning Community researchin the Journal areas of include: Applied issues Communication related to organizational communication in intercultural settings, information- education with graduate work in communication theory sharing, and multitasking/multi-communication at andsections teaching – since effectiveness, January 2001. Baker Having specializes earned in licensure creating in workplaces. Cho’s research philosophy is “Theory must diverse, engaging learning opportunities to help students be followed by practice, and vice versa.” About be inspired, challenged and successful learners. “Walk freely, the ‘Olympics Fanfare’ medley resonating when knowledgeteaching, he from says, them.” “If you Outside can’t escape of education, it, enjoy heit. Isays really he teamsby my proudlyclassroom accept and youtheir might medals hear or laughter complete flowing silence want my students to ‘ENJOY’ my classes and ‘USE’ as students work intently on an exercise,” she says. “I who loves playing piano and practicing Taekwondo. They areloves also fishing expecting and farming. a baby girl He andin May. his wife have a son, faculty award which states ‘Most Eccentric’ for my teachingproudly hang style inand my personality office a 2011 because student-designed it acknowledges the effective pedagogical and andragogical research for Jon Crane which I value.” Outside of the classroom, mentoring has been an integral part of Baker’s professional engagement. She has designed and presented several workshops from the University of Illinois, and studied for his and training sessions for Diversity Summer Institute, doctorateDr. Jon Crane at The received Institute his bachelor’sof Communications and Ph.D. Research, degrees S.A.F.E, University Center of Academic Excellence and specializing in cultural studies. Currently he teaches Communication Across the Curriculum on campus, in graduate and undergraduate courses in communication addition to a myriad of departmental and community instruction. She currently serves as COMM 1101 activity akin to chatting with a friend over coffee, swappingtheory, mass lies media with mates and film at astudies. bar and “Teaching revisiting is family an Association Faculty Advisor and has been recently legends around the dinner table,” he says. “It is one of Adjunct Faculty Liaison, Communication Studies Student the ways we best apprehend our shared world and when Curriculum Fellow in 2013-2014, a trailblazing initiative it goes well there are few better ways of fashioning whichappointed aims to to serve support as the departments first Communication in developing Across and the common sense.” Crane’s areas of interest include media, revising “O” Goal course designs and instructional strategies for academic excellence. Jaehee Cho interpretationfilm, and popular of cinematicculture, and violence. his research He is anprojects author deal ofextensively Terror and with Everyday film and Life: the Singular role genre Moments plays in in the the in South Korea and his MA and Ph.D degrees from the History of the Horror Film (Sage, 1994), and has also UniversityDr. Jaehee Choof Texas earned at Austin.his BA fromHe is Sogangan Assistant University Professor written extensively on the complex interplay between in the Department of Communication Studies and Core individual directors and their chosen generic niche. A Faculty of the Doctoral Program of Organizational devoted Chicago baseball fan, Crane has this to say: John Crane Debbie Baker Jaehee Cho Alan Freitag Melody Dixon-Brown Melody Christine Davis

Melody Dixon-Brown “The unfounded rumors that have circulated for decades maintaining that there are two professional baseball Melody Dixon-Brown, Senior Lecturer, emphasizes the franchises in Chicago are patently untrue. There is only business elements of communications. With almost one professional baseball team in the Windy City and 20 years of corporate experience that included BBDO they play ball on the Southside.” Advertising and DuPont, Dixon-Brown believes that “ students must build on their strengths of creativity Christine Davis must learn managing, budgeting, and professional ‘bestand oral practices’ and written as well.” communication; She has taught however, business they Dr. Christine Davis is Associate Professor of communication, event planning, and small group Communication Studies, and the Coordinator of Graduate communication. She has a dual degree in marketing Studies for the department. She received her BA and classic movies. communications management from degree in 1979 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Syracuse University and an MBA from The University of

good book or watching State University; her MA in 1999 from the University Delaware. When not teaching, you’ll find her enjoying a Alan Freitag Communicationof North Carolina-Greensboro; Studies. She teaches and her courses Ph.D. in related 2005 to Healthfrom the Communication University of South and Communication Florida, all in the Research field of Professor Dr. Alan Freitag earned his B.S. from the Methods, and focuses her research and teaching on the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh in 1973, his M.A. from areas of children’s mental health, disability, aging, end- Webster University in 1977, and before completing his of-life communication, and health communication in Ph.D from Ohio University in 1999, he began teaching the contexts of family, patient-provider, and healthcare here in August 1998. He teaches undergraduate courses teams. She has a strong interest in Communication within his areas of interest, including Fundamentals of Research Methods, especially in the areas of narrative, Public Relations, Public Relations Writing, International ethnography, and autoethnography. Dr. Davis has Public Relations, Research Methods, Event Planning recently published two books – Death: The Beginning and News Writing. He also teaches graduate courses in of a Relationship (2010) and the second edition of Communication Campaign Management, Internationals Straight Talk about Communication Research Methods Public Relations, and Media Relations. He also advises the (2012) – co-written with Dr. Heather Gallardo and Dr. Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). In Kenneth Lachlan. Her current research includes several the classroom, Freitag says, “I have striven to maintain sharp focus on preparing students for entry into the culture and communication in children’s treatment demanding profession of public relations and rapid teams.projects Dr. related Davis tosays end-of-life that she “strivescommunication to make ina positivematerial ascent to its higher levels.” Dr. Freitag has had works difference in the lives of students, the university, and the community—both locally and nationally” through her research and teaching. About her teaching philosophy, Communicationpublished in Journalism Management, and Mass Public Communication Relations Quarterly, she says: “I think that part of my role as instructor is Quarterly, Journal of Public Relations Research, Journal of to develop in students a love of learning. I am very Defense Forum. He has also earned formal, professional intentional about fostering a culture of openness and high accreditationNewspaper Research in public Journal, relations Airman, practice and through Asia-Pacific expectations.” In her spare time, Dr. Davis loves to sail, the Public Relations Society of America. In the past, Freitag performed in several dozen amateur theatrical productions and appeared in a motion picture, “The Last hike, and jog. Days of Patton,” with George C. Scott. Sandy Hanson Sandy Loril Gossett Dan Grano

Dan Grano

Dr. Daniel Grano is a graduate and undergraduate showing students how these concepts can impact their professor of Rhetorical Theory, Criticism, Ethics and daily lives. “I consider teaching to be a highly interactive Cultural Studies. He received his Bachelor’s degree process. I work to create a classroom environment that from the University of Memphis in 1995 and his encourages students to freely contribute their ideas.0 Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Rhetoric and Public In order to make the course material come alive, I use Address from Louisiana State University in 1997 and case studies, video clips, and discussion questions. I also 2003, respectively. His research focuses on how power design research and writing activities that encourage students to apply course concepts to their daily lives.” contexts like mediated sport, and he has published in shapes moral judgment, especially in popular cultural Communication”, “Rhetoric & Public Affairs”, “Rhetoric CharlotteOutside teaching, Film Festival. Gossett She enjoys is a long-distance film and has attendedrunner and Societyvarious Quarterly”,journals, including and “The “Critical Southern Studies Communication in Media hasseveral completed film festivals, three marathons,including South with byplans Southwest to participate and in more. of Speech” is on the race and class politics of the New Journal.” His latest article in “The Quarterly Journal Orleans Superdome reopening. As a teacher he says his Sandy Hanson philosophy is grounded in a basic assumption from the for critical and ethical participation in civic life,” Grano Sandy Hanson received her Bachelor of Science at says.liberal “For arts me tradition. teaching “Our is exciting job is to because prepare there students is always Louisiana State University and her Master of Science something new to take up with students based on at Florida State University. She has been a full-time research developments or everyday events, so semester Lecturer since 2000, teaching undergraduate courses to semester our exchanges are always changing shape.” in Organizational Communication, Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, baby boy, Anthony. Advanced Organizational Communication, Public When not teaching he enjoys being the proud father of his Loril Gossett she was promoted to Senior Lecturer. Hanson has publishedSpeaking, anda chapter Communication in an introductory Conflict. textbook In 2010, on

Dr. Loril Gossett is an associate professor in Introduction duties, she serves as a guest lecturer with the English to Organizational Communication and Control and Languageconflict and Training communication. Institute, writesIn addition textbook to her reviews teaching Motivation in Organizational Settings. She has interests for various publishing companies, and presents papers in areas of Organizational Communication, Nonstandard at professional organizational conferences. “Teaching, well, is challenging!” she says. “I work hard to enliven Control in Organizational Settings. From the University classroom discussions with humor, student participation, ofLabor Colorado, Arrangements Boulder sheand earnedIdentification, her Bachelor’s Participation degree and in and anecdotes to bring theory to life. Also, I believe in 1993 and her Doctorate degree in 2001. In her research an experiential learning model so I use Problem-Based she examines how alternative work relationships, such as Learning in my classes. This allows my students the out-sourced employees, volunteers, and geographically dispersed workers, impact our understanding of what it means to be or communicate as an organizational makeopportunity time to to teach refine 9-10 their classes analytical of water skills aerobics through a week, member. Gossett says she loves the topics she teaches and participant-observation and reflection.” She manages to

just shy of 20 years of teaching experience in the water. Tim Horne and digital diplomacy (Chinese microblogging public’s responses to DNC and U.S. presidential election).Hopkins Tim Horne has been an instructor with the department University, the French Institute of International Relations since 2006 and serves as the Director of Forensics. (Ifri), University of Hong Kong, and the Center for New The Forensics Team gives students at UNC Charlotte Media & Society in Moscow, Russia (planning). the opportunity to develop their argumentation and communication skills by competing with other universities and colleges throughout the nation. During media studies, political communication, international Dr. Jiang’s work is highly interdisciplinary, blending new his tenure with the team, the forensics program has communication, legal studies, and information science. received over 150 awards on both the regional and Her work has appeared in New Media & Society, national level. In addition to his work with forensics, Horne also teaches a number of courses for the Communication, SAIS Review of International Affairs, Social Computer Science Review, Electronic Journal of Communications Department, including Advanced Public Speaking, Persuasion, Mass Media, Media Ethics, and Information Visualization, Sage Handbook of Conflict Argumentation and Debate. Horne’s approach to the has written about Internet sovereignty, authoritarian Communication among others. More specifically, she classroom setting encourages students to take the skills deliberation, regime legitimacy, Internet events, state and information learned in his courses and apply them in a macro sense to other courses at UNC Charlotte in China). Currently, she conducts research in digital capitalism, and search engines (Google, Baidu, and Jike and throughout their careers. Horne was honored technologies (search engines and microblogging) in with a B.E.S.T. Outstanding Teaching Excellence award global contexts, Chinese Internet policies, media activism for his work in his courses. Horne completed both his (helping set research agenda for the Asian region), undergraduate and graduate degrees at UNC Charlotte in Communication Studies. An avid “Simpsons” fan, his piano practice. She is a great fan of Downton Abbey and Outside work, Dr Jiang enjoys running, tennis, yoga and “It may be the greatest television show ever created,” Quentin Tarantino’s assistant while a graduate student in office is decorated with various Simpsons collectibles. Breaking Bad. Fun fact: Dr Jiang worked as film director is always new things to be discovered. It reminds me that Beijing and has always admired great art and artists. asays noble Horne, spirit “it embiggens just operates the onsmallest so many man.” levels that there Dean Kruckeberg Min Jiang Dr. Dean Kruckeberg, APR, Fellow PRSA, is executive director of the Center for Global Public Relations and a professor in the Department of Communication Studies. receiving her Ph.D. degree in Communication from After working in news and film industries in China and media & technology, global media, and research methods He has a Bachelor’s in English with a minor in journalism atPurdue both theUniversity, undergraduate Dr. Min Jiangand graduate now teach levels. classes She in also new Ph.D.from Wartburgin Mass Communications College (1969); froman M.A. the in University journalism of conducts research on Chinese Internet technologies, Iowa(PR) from(1985). Northern Dr. Kruckeberg Illinois University has co-authored (1974); several and a politics, and policies. Various research institutions have publications, including Public Relations and Community: invited her to present her work or funded her research, A Reconstructed Theory and the 10th (2010), 9th (2006), including the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), the 8th (2004), 7th (2000) and 6th (1996) editions of This National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR), Is PR: The Realities of Public Relations. In spring 2010, Fairbank Center at Harvard University, Programme in he taught UNCC’s London International Public Relations Comparative Media Law & Policy at the University of Seminar at Regent’s College. He has earned prestigious teaching awards as well, including national “Outstanding Educator” of the Public Relations Society of America Oxford, the International Reporting Project (IRP), the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Min Jiang Dean Kruckerberg Tim Horne (1995) and the Wartburg College Alumni Citation that University in 1993. Courses she has taught include Small recognized his accomplishments as one of the nation’s Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, leading public relations educators (1998). He continues stressing the value of achievements in higher education Sophomore Seminar for the Arts and Sciences Freshman in his teaching philosophy: “I try always to remember LearningCommunication Community, and Conflict, and Persuasion. Freshman She Seminar, says what the she the importance of what we do as educators and the loves the most about teaching Communication courses is the often direct application of communication theories Those in higher education are responsible for preparing to everyday life. “My goal is to convey the theories tomorrow’sgood that we leaders can do ofwhen global we society, perform which our jobs is an well. and principles of the course in such a way that the awesome responsibility but a most rewarding task.” students see the connection between the material and how it can enrich their lives.” Previously, she served as Staci Kuntzman Coordinator of the College of Arts and Sciences Freshman Learning Community. She has conducted workshops Lecturer Staci Kuntzman has held several titles since she came to work for the Department in 1997. As creating supportive climates for a variety of campus and Internship Director since 2005, her duties include communityin managing organizations. conflict, communicating Her other accomplishments assertively and interviewing all potential interns and evaluating the include membership on the CHAMPS/Life Skills Coalition performance of current interns, among others. She also Advisory Committee and Greek Matrix Committee. She teaches undergraduate courses in her areas of interest, is active in the Carolinas Communication Association, Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking. where she has served as President. In her free time, She has served as the Forensics Director, advisor to the Leeman says she likes to venture outside the Queen City: university’s chapter of the Pi Kappa Delta, lieutenant “I love to travel, and to see new things and learn about governor for the Southeastern province of Pi Kappa different places.” Delta, and does community service at the university level. She attended Marshall University, where she Richard Leeman received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and M.A. in Communication Studies with an emphasis in interpersonal communication, and was later awarded the Catherine Cummings Pedagogy Award for Department faculty in 1989. He became the Department’s excellence in teaching. “Offering a variety of techniques secondDr. Richard chairperson Leeman joinedin 2001 the and Communication served until 2010. Studies to learn, such as powerpoint presentations, videos, and He teaches undergraduate courses within his areas of online resources is vital to reaching different learning interest, including Rhetoric, Public Address, Political styles,” she says about teaching. “However, students also Communication and African American Orator. He must commit to the learning process by listening and also teaches courses on the graduate level in Textual responding during lectures.” In 2009, Ms. Kuntzman gave Analysis. His teaching philosophy comes from his drive to her twelve-year-old daughter twin brothers to play with, challenge his students’ ways of thinking about the world. adding to her already happy family. hope to help them decide what to think about.“ Leeman Carol Leeman received“My job is his not B.S. so frommuch Shippensburg to tell them what State to University think, but I do in 1977 and his Master’s and Ph.D. from the University Undergraduate Coordinator and Senior Lecturer Carol of Maryland, in 1982 and 1990 respectively. Currently, Leeman has been teaching at UNC Charlotte since 1988. Leeman is working on a critical anthology of African Leeman became a full time faculty member in 1997 after American speeches, and in the past he has participated in receiving her Bachelor’s degree from UNC Charlotte in 1985 and her Master’s degree from Wake Forest Terrorism and Counterterrorism, writing, co-writing, or editing five books: The Rhetoric of Richard Leeman Richard Staci Kuntzman Carol Leeman Carol Shawn Long Shawn Craig Paddock Craig Margaret Quinlan Margaret

“Do- Everything Reform:” The Oratory of Frances the Department. He has taught communication studies at E. Willard, African-American Oratory: A BioCritical various area colleges, including Wingate, Gardner-Webb Sourcebook, American Voices: Encyclopedia of and CPCC since 2005 and has worked as a copy editor Contemporary Oratory (with Bernard K. Duffy) and The and page designer at newspapers such as The State Art and Practice of Argumentation and Debate (with newspaper in Columbia, S.C. and the Charlotte Observer Dr. Bill Hill). Aside from his teaching and publishing for 20 years. His teaching philosophy is simple: “I like to achievements, Leeman divulges a little known fact about curiosity about the world, a love for asking questions and played Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies. Helps explain athink real Iinterest bring a injournalist’s people.” In mindset addition into to histhe teachingclassroom and -- a thehimself: good “[I looks.” am] distantly related to Irene Ryan, who newspaper responsibilities, Paddock, once a pipe organ player, has taken to raising chickens ... he assures the two Shawn Long are not related.

Dr. Shawn D. Long is Chair of the Department of Margaret Quinlan Communication Studies. Long earned his undergraduate and M.P.A. degrees from Tennessee State University Dr. Margaret M. Quinlan is an Assistant Professor of and his Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Communication and a Core Faculty Member of the Health Kentucky. He centralizes organizational communication, virtual work, diversity communication, virtual-team in 2009. Her scholarly work explores the organizing assimilation and socialization, health communication ofPsychology health care Ph.D. resources Program. and She work joined opportunities the Department for and interpretive methods associated with the study of people with lived differences. She has published in organizational culture and symbolism as his primary Text & Performance Quarterly, Health Communication, teaching and research areas. He is an award winning Management Communication Quarterly, Communication teacher, researcher and administrator. His most recent research appears in Communication Monographs, of Research in Special Education Needs, The Braille Monitor,Teacher, Communicationand Review of Communication. Research Reports, She Journal earned her Bachelors of Science from Marist College, her CommunicationClinical Transplantation, Teacher. JournalHe has publishedof the National two books, Medical Master of Science from Illinois State University, and “Communication,Association, Journal Relationships of Health Communication and Practices in and Virtual her Doctor of Philosophy from Ohio University in 2009. Work” and “Virtual Work and Interaction Research.” She teaches Communication Theory, Interpersonal Long serves on several editorial boards and has Health Communication, Gender Health Communication, consulted local, regional and national organizations. Dr. and Narratives of Health and Illness. “My goal for the Long is immediate-past Chair of the African American courses I teach is to create an environment where we Communication and Culture Division (AACCD) of the are co-learners,” she says. “In doing so, I hope to create National Communication Association. a safe and effective environment for learning and discussing the topics that are necessary for a person to Craig Paddock be able to become a better student and a more effective communicator ... Ultimately, I believe that the quality of each student’s education is largely dependent on her or his own efforts, attitudes, and behaviors.” Outside the inLecturer, Mass Communications J. “Craig Paddock from received the University his Bachelor’s of South in Print world of academia, Quinlan has a Yorkshire terrier puppy, Journalism from Bob Jones University and his Master’s named Parker.

Carolina. He teaches undergraduate journalism courses in editing, media ethics, and Introduction to Journalism for Cheryl Spainhour Cheryl Clifton Scott Clifton Robin Rothberg Robin

Robin Rothberg Research, Communication Theory and Communication Lecturer Robin Rothberg earned her Bachelor’s of Science Monographs.Management Review,He also servesJournal as of a Applied consultant Communication for local organizations through UNC Charlotte’s Organizational Florida State University in 1999 and her Master of Arts in Science Consulting and Research Unit. In his free time, in Communications and English (double major) from reporting from New York University in 2000. She dog, and his growing collection of used cars. teachesJournalism undergraduate with a certificate courses in businessin Public andRelations economics and Scott says he enjoys spending time with his wife, their Cheryl Spainhour “My goal is to help my students understand the material, ofJournalism/Public course, but also themselvesRelations. In and the their classroom, responsibilities she says: Cheryl Spainhour is a full-time Lecturer in the as communicators.” A little known fact about Robin Communication Studies Department who is passionate eaten any meat since I was in college as a student,” she since 1998. She currently teaches undergraduate courses Rothberg: she’s a full- fledged, lacto-vegetarian. “I haven’t says. “My husband, meanwhile, never met a steak he about the journalism courses she has been teaching here didn’t like!” Reporting and Writing, Feature Writing, and Introduction in the Journalism minor, including Advanced News Clifton Scott earned a Master’s degree in Speech Communications andto Journalism. Theatre Arts She from also Waketeaches Forest Public University Speaking. and She a After earning his Bachelor’s degree from Bradley University, his Master’s degree from Northern Illinois of Georgia. She is a 2010 recipient of B.E.S.T. Teaching University and his Doctorate from Arizona State AwardBachelor’s (Building degree Educational in Journalism Strengths from the and University Talents) University in 1997, 2001 and 2005, respectively, Dr. Cliff for excellence in teaching and assisting undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte. She is honored to be a teaching classes in organizational communication, founding member of the new (2010) Charlotte chapter of researchScott joined methods, UNC Charlotte communication as an assistant theory professor,and organizational science. As a teacher, Scott says he views to Senior Lecturer in 2012. In the classroom, she aims at learning as a shared responsibility between students the Society of Professional Journalists. She was promoted and instructors. “I see our time together in the classroom (and the current technology revolution) and encourages as an opportunity to extend and deepen what students getting her students caught up in the world of journalism have already learned outside the classroom through of work, she happily revels in life in the country with her their reading and via their personal experiences,” family,them to always read and outnumbered commit outstanding by a menagerie journalism. (of both Outside wild Scott says, adding that “if you don’t like to read, don’t and domestic types). everyday experiences, and prefer spoon feeding, you Ashli Stokes enjoy thinking critically and abstractly about your own Scott’s research on organizational communication concernsprobably won’toccupational enjoy my safety classes.” and health,Outside organizational of teaching, Dr. Ashli Q. Stokes is an assistant professor in socialization, high reliability organizing and work Communication Studies Department, teaching graduate meetings. His research has been published in outlets and undergraduate classes in public relations and health as diverse as Management Communication Quarterly, communication campaigns. She received her bachelor’s Human Resource Management, MIT Sloan degree at Virginia Tech University, her master’s at Ashli Stokes Jillian Tullis

Wake Forest University, and worked in public relations Health Communication and Religion and Commun before she began studying for her doctorate in 2004 at ication: An Anthology of Extensions in Theory, Research, and Method (co-authored with Dr. Long). In addition to focuses on public relations and public communication, her work in the Department of Communication Studies, specializingthe University in ofrhetorical Georgia. approaches The majority to of analyzing her research public relations controversies. She has published in numerous Program, the Center for Professional and Applied Ethics, andDr. Tullis Health maintains Psychology. faculty She affiliationsis also an active in the member Gerontology of also co-author with colleague Dr. Alan Freitag of the book the Mecklenburg County End of Life Care Coalition, which Globaljournals Public and has Relations: authored Spanning several Borders,book chapters. Spanning She is seeks to improve care at the end of life. And in her free Cultures. Dr. Stokes sums up her philosophy about time, she volunteers with Hospice and Palliative Care teaching this way: She feels lucky to get to share what she loves with her students and loves watching them develop 12-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix named Amber. their own careers and apply the knowledge gained in Charlotte Region and enjoys being the proud owner of a superour program. golden retrieverOutside of Brody work, love Stokes to hike, is a proudwalk in first the neighborhood,time mom to daughter and go on Kate. family She, adventures husband Jeff, up Kateto Lake and Norman and other places in the Charlotte Metro Area. She aspires to learn how not to crash a sailboat, to ski without running into a tree, and to cook like Ina Garten.

Jillian Tullis assistant professor in the Department of Communication Internships StudiesJillian Tullis, and is Ph.D. known (University for her passionate of South Florida) pursuit is of an understanding how people communicate about dying COMM 4410 and death. Her research agenda focuses on improving Professional Internship health communication and care, especially at the end- of-life for patients, their families, healthcare providers and organizations. The role of spirituality in health and healthcare choices is a central theme that runs through her research and teaching. Dr. Tullis teaches classes in Visit the UNC Charlotte Communication Health Communication, Spirituality, Communication Studies Department Internship and Health, Communication Theory, Research Methods, website for more information. and recently added Intercultural Health Communication http://communications.uncc.edu to her repertoire. She likes to keep her classroom interactive, engaging and pragmatic. By doing so, she exploration of communication, while helping them says that “students recognize the benefits of scholarly personally and professionally.” Dr. Tullis has forth develop communication skills that will benefit them coming publications in the highly ranked journal, Congratulations to the class of 2013 MA Graduates!

Department of Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte Ezine

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1