Communication Matters -- UNC Charlotte Ezine 2012

COMMUNICATION MATTERS Spring 2012

Department of Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

DEPARTMENT CHAIR EDITOR

STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHER

DESIGNER

Dr. Shawn Long

Cheryl Spainhour

Shannon Smith and Brian Richards Shannon Smith and Carlos Lopez Drew Humphries

communications NOTES FROM THE CHAIR Dr. Shawn Long

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Welcome to the second issue of Matters, the official electronic magazine of the Communication Studies Department at UNC Charlotte. Since our last (and first) publication, the Department has experienced a significant amount of growth, seized a number of opportunities and partnered with several units on and off campus to extend our Communication Studies footprint. I will not spend much time in this space detailing the events, but instead I encourage you to continue to read Matters, check out our website, email or call us to discuss the exciting activities occurring within our department.

Briefly, I will highlight a few items here to whet your appetite:

• The department formally partnered with University Broadcast Communications to produce, direct and edit the student segment of Inside UNC Charlotte, the new monthly series airing on WTVI, the local PBS station.

• We continue to integrate innovative approaches to engage our nontraditional students.

• We offered our first suite of online courses in Spring 2012 (Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication and Rhetorical Theory). This suite adds to our existing online offerings.

• We offered our first Saturday course this Spring (Small Group Communication).

• We continue to modernize our operations (e.g. computer lab, advising, website, etc.).

• We welcomed seven new faculty affiliates to our Communication Studies community.

This brings our total to 14 affiliate faculty members in two years.

• We welcomed two new full-time faculty members: Dr. Jaehee Cho and Mr. Craig Paddock.

• We welcomed our new academic advisor: Ms. Brandy Stamper.

• We welcomed three new adjunct faculty members to our community: Dr. Bridget Long, Ms. Frances Walton and Mr. John Bland.

• We celebrated our 2nd Annual Communication Studies Celebration Week this Spring and added a highly successful Internship Fair to the schedule.

• We are approaching 70 graduates from our MA program.

• We co-hosted our first National Communication Association reception in New Orleans with our sister program, Organizational Science.

• Our faculty continues to publish impactful and important books, articles, monographs and chapters at a record pace.

• Our faculty continues to win university, community, regional and national awards for teaching, research and service.

• We continue to place our students in top graduate programs across the country.

• Our students are securing excellent jobs across the country after graduation.

Despite all of this good news, we are saddened by the news of the July 1, 2012 retirements of our two great administrative staff members and long-time community members, Mrs. Pat Leebrick and Mrs. Mary Hicks. They will be deeply missed in our Department, but we know they will enjoy their well- deserved retirements after a collective 30 years of working for the State of North Carolina.

Thank you again for checking out Matters. Special thanks to Ms. Cheryl Spainhour and her team for their excellent work to produce this magazine. We firmly believe that Communication Matters in the world and I hope that you enjoy our contributions to this idea.

Best regards,

Shawn D. Long, Department Chair

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COMMUNICATION STUDIES DEPARTMENT Accolades and Promotions

Communication Studies Awards and Accolades (2011-12) Dr. Jonathan Crane, appeared on NPR’s morning

show Charlotte Talks on March 22, 2012 to speak about his book “Terror and Everyday Life” in program about horror movies and why we love them. You can hear the show at http://www.wfae.org/wfae/18_93_ 0.cfm?do=detail&id=14484

Sandy Hanson taught this winter for AIM, an

Australian-based organization that provides college credit for travel to and learning about conducting business in the USA. Her component included 16 hours of lecture coupled with heavy doses of experiential learning in negotiation, interviewing, and meeting management.

Actual participation in mock interviews, professional portfolio development, and team negotiation exercises provided insight to “the way things are done over here”.

Dr. Min Jiang: In September, 2011, she visited the

French Institute of International Relations (Institute Français des Relations Internationals), where she was an invited speaker at a seminar on The Internet in China and Russia – her talk was titled “Weave the China Wide Web: Regulating Internet Companies in China” [$3,500, funded] She also participated in the Council on International Educational Exchange in the Summer of 2011 in the International Faculty Development Seminars, “Economic Development and Urban Transformation,” Shanghai, China, [$3300, funded].

Dr. Richard Leeman was quoted in “Black Caucus

Speech: What Did Obama Mean?” in TheRoot.com, published Sept. 29, 2011. http://www.theroot.com/views/black-caucus-speechwhat-did-obama-mean?wpisrc=root_lightbox

Carol Leeman was honored at the Department’s annual Communications Celebration night for her 15 years of service to the University.

Dr. Shawn D. Long was named 2011 Chair, African

American Communication and Culture Division, National Communication Association. He was featured in Sparks, Canadian Broadcast Corporation in January 2012, about

Virtual Work Politics and about Teleworking and Virtual Work in a General Mills Blog Interview in March 2012.

Dr. Margaret Quinlan was named Chair of NCA’s

Disability Issues Caucus. She was the recipient of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Office of Parent and Family Services Outstanding Professor Award.

She presented “’What can I do to help? : University students with learning disabilities’ perceptions of instructors’ classroom accommodations,” a paper she co-authored, at Disability Issues Caucus at the National Communication Association, 97th Annual Convention, New Orleans. [Top Paper Award]

Robin Rothberg gave two talks on campus: “Tweet

Smarts” on Oct. 13, 2011, for UNC Charlotte Center for Teaching and Learning workshop; and “Twitter in 15 Minutes” on Feb. 24, 2012, for UNC Charlotte 2012 Social Media Workshop for Faculty.

Dr. Ashli Stokes received the 2011 Top Competitive Paper Award, Public Relations Division, for “Walruses Do Not Live in the Gulf: BP and the Importance of Effective Issues Management,” at the Southern States Communication Association Conference, in Little Rock, Ark.

Department Promotions Dr. Ashli Stokes

Promotion to Associate Professor and conferral of permanent tenure

Dr. Margaret Quinlan

Reappointment-Assistant Professor

Dr. Jillian Tullis

Reappointment-Assistant Professor

This ‘n’ That - Graduate student, Chelsea Wilde, won first place in one of the Liberal Arts paper divisions at UNC Charlotte’s Graduate Student Research Fair held on Feb. 25. The title of her paper, which formed the basis of her thesis project, is “Corporate Social Responsibility and the 2010 FIFA World Cup: The Case of Coca-Cola and Visa.”

- Dr. Richard Leeman will visit Xiamen University in Xiamen, China in June (’12) for the purpose of exploring possible faculty development programs and exchanges between the Communication Studies departments at Xiamen and UNC Charlotte. While in Xiamen, he will teach a course in Rhetoric and present a public lecture on “The Teleological Discourse of Barack Obama.”

- Jordan Stutts presented a paper and received a top award April 20 at the Undergraduate Research Fair.

Jordan took a class taught by Dr. Heather McCullough last fall (2011) (INTL 3000/COMM 3052) and wrote a paper on the Arab Spring and social media.

- The Second Annual Blood Drive, was held April 12 and sponsored by the Department’s Health Communication Club. Dr. Margaret Quinlan reported that 92 people attempted to donate and 67 people actually donated, helping 201 patients stay in Charlotte hospitals.

Jim Newman, News 14 News Director, spoke this spring (‘12) to Craig Paddock’s and Cheryl Spainhour’s journalism classes about

covering news in the world of broadcast.

The Department of Communication Studies in partnership with The College of Arts and Architecture and the Charlotte Arts Journalism Council were awarded a Knight Foundation Arts Journalism Grant to increase the coverage of the arts in the Charlotte Region.

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PROGRAMS & PEOPLE New Staff, Classes and Honors

New Staff Profile: Brandy Stamper Native North Carolinian alumni pursues career at UNC Charlotte after “excellent educational experience”

After graduating in 2006, Brandy went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Communication Studies from UNC Charlotte as well and continued to be an active member of the student body. Brandy became an adjunct faculty member at UNC Charlotte after graduate school, but also taught classes like public speaking at local Rowan County Community College.

“I always knew that I wanted to work at UNCC,” Brandy explained. So when she noticed the Academic Advisor position was open in the Communication Studies Department, she applied. After several rigorous interviews and meetings, Brandy was hired as a full-time

staff member in July of 2011. She thoroughly enjoys her advising duties, which she describes as “helping students make well-informed decisions about their future.” In addition to advising, Brandy also teaches Business Communications and Small Group Communications. Her favorite thing about working with students? “Seeing that ‘light-bulb’ moment in a student- in both advising and teaching.”

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... helping students make well-informed decisions about their future.

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orn and raised in Concord, Brandy Stamper graduated from UNC Charlotte where she doublemajored in Psychology and Communication Studies and graduated with honors. While she was a student, Brandy was a JV coach for her high school team Mount Pleasant High School, worked for a personality testing firm in Charlotte, and was a member of PILOT, a program that helps students gain valuable leadership skills.

Brandy met her future husband at Mt. Pleasant High School. “We were high school sweethearts,” she says, smiling. They have been married for four years now, and have two dogs: Pixie, a Great Dane, and Bristol, a Labrador and Chow mix. With family, including several nieces and nephews in the area, Brandy says she’s

Communication Department Off Dr. Dan Grano will teach Introduction to Rhetorical Theory (COMM 2101) in the Fall semester of 2012. He expressed some fundamental challenges with teaching a class online. “There are a lot of technical details,” he explained. “The smallest, most minor settings and layout elements can facilitate students’ navigation of the site.” Grano says that even a small mistake can create a lot of confusion for students attempting to take a class online, since there is no face-toface interaction. He remains “pleasantly surprised” to find how the capabilities of an online class set-up can facilitate discussion, despite the notion that computer-based courses interfere with the teacher-student communication. “I like the idea of using technology to broaden student participation and shared responsibility for the course,” says Grano. It “makes individual students accountable for reading and responding to course material in substantive ways.”

Senior Lecturer Sandy Hanson is teaching Small Group Communication (COMM 2105) for the Spring 2012 semester.

After encountering what she considered a “a very steep learning curve”, Hanson developed an online version of the course using the new multimedia technologies available for cyber classrooms. “I was amazed by how many programs

New Honors Program Accepts First Member

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anted: Exceptional Talent.

The first student in the Communication Studies Department’s new Honors Program, is thriving under the direction of Dr. Ashli Stokes.

Robinson is on the Mass Media track and minoring in Journalism. “I hope to become a sports broadcaster,” she said, “maybe even [work for] ESPN one day!” She is currently researching gendered communications in sport institutions, as well as sports journalism. Stokes has guided Katie Robinson through the process of writing her thesis proposal. “I love it and I’m extremely proud to be a Communication Studies Honors student and am excited about the opportunity,” she added.

Robinson chose UNC Charlotte after attending both UNC Wilmington and UNC Greensboro. “I felt like I didn’t connect with the professors [at those schools],” Robinson explained. “I love to learn, and if I don’t really connect with the professor, then I don’t take anything away from the course or retain the knowledge.”

According to the program’s webpage, the Honors Program “aims to identify, encourage, nurture and recognize students with exceptional analytical, creative, and communicative skills potential.”

Stokes believes the program is heading in the right direction, and plans to continue leading the program in upcoming years. “I think the program will allow us to nurture the bright minds in the department,” she said.

Stokes said the Honors Program is accepting applications at the end of the spring semester. Interested students can contact Dr. Ashli Stokes at aqstoeks@uncc.edu, or visit the program website at Communications.uncc.edu/ Honors-Program.

fers Three New Online Courses are ‘out there’ for creativity and collaboration,” she explained. “Each day I find myself jotting down something about a new technology to use for the next time I teach this course.” Hanson enjoys the students who experience her “aha moments” of learning with her, even though they are communicating through a computer screen. “It is more difficult since hallway conversations don’t happen as much,” she explained. So she created a forum called “Hallway Conversations” and is hopeful that this commentary will encourage communication between the students and her.

Lecturer Staci Kuntzman has also developed an online 2107) – for the Spring 2012 semester. Kuntzman says overcoming the technology curve was one of the biggest challenges of creating an online class. In addition to the technical side of teaching online, she looks for new ways to develop participation in online learning. “The challenge here was to create new assignments specifically for online learners,” she explained. Although she hasn’t encountered any real surprises, Kuntzman admits that “developing an online course was far more work than I anticipated.” One of the benefits of teaching an online class is the added schedule flexibility, but Kuntzman has also enjoyed learning new technology. “I have benefitted from this knowledge in many other ways,” she said.

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FORENSICS TEAM Competition 2011-2012

Forensics Team has Stellar Season

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he UNC Charlotte Forensics team had an exceptional academic year in collegiate competition for the 20112012 season, resulting in a combined 62 awards received across nine regular members. This included two second place overall sweepstakes trophies for UNC Charlotte. An almost entirely new team comprised of Alex Krzynski, Hala Sadek, Samantha Kong, Matthew Morales, Hoke Pittman, Christina Ainsworth, and Bryan Caldwell joined returning members Tori Karlek and Mercedes Barnett for competition this year. Notable standouts include Tori Karlek and Hala Sadek, the current and future recipient of the Brycie Baber Scholarship in Forensics respectively, who each received nine awards and Hoke Pittman who received 16 awards including a first place in pentathlon. Students who compete in five or more events encompassing the three major areas of collegiate forensics competition are eligible for this important distinction. Led by the Director of Forensics, Tim Horne, the students competed in four collegiate tournaments this academic year at Gainesville State College, Carson-Newman College, the College of Charleston and Ocean City, Maryland.

Professor Inducted into Forensics Hall of Fame

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NC Charlotte professor and CLAS Senior Associate Dean Bill Hill was inducted into the Forensics Hall of Fame in 2011, a crowning achievement for his nearly 23 years of service to the National Council.

Dr. Hill first became interested in debate as a high school student and then pursued his passion at Appalachian State University, where he joined the university’s forensics team as an undergraduate in 1972.

“I think that being involved with debate was the single most valuable academic experience that I had as a student,” Hill says. “It teaches critical thinking, research, and much more effective communication skills.” He was later hired by UNC Charlotte in 1982 to coach the University’s Forensics Debate Team and held that position for seven years.

While studying at Appalachian, Hill

joined Pi Kappa Delta, a forensics argumentation and debate. Pi Kappa Delta, or PKD, is an organization that preserves the ethical and humane treatment of persuasion and communication practices.

Founded in 1913, Pi Kappa Delta is the oldest national collegiate forensic organization in the country, and has over 60,000 members that have been initiated by chapters on more than 200 college and universities campuses across the world. Hill served as an elected member of Pi Kappa Delta’s National Council from 1987 to 2010. During that time, he served two terms as Council Representative, and was later elected President of the organization. Most recently, he served as SecretaryTreasurer, a position he held for 10 years. PKD described Hill’s service as “the most meaningful contribution by anyone to hold that office.”

After he was nominated at the

National Convention, an elaborate election process, and several campaign speeches, Hill was inducted into Pi Kappa Delta’s Forensics Hall of Fame. “It was the icing on my career,” he said, “probably the single most memorable academic experience of my life.” He added that public speaking classes are currently taught to younger students in the Hall of Fame room in Ripon, Wisconsin, where all of the portraits of past inductees, including his own, hang on the walls.

Hill has authored three books covering topics ranging from argumentation and debate to public speaking and oral communication, and he is the co-author of “The Art and Practice of Argumentation and Debate.” He has worked at UNC Charlotte for the past 30 years and looks forward to many more.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND HONORS

THE 2011 COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES DEPARTMENT’S SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE: Joe S. Epley Scholarship Rebecca and Walter Roberts Scholarship Brycie Baber Forensics Scholarship

Samantha Falchook Carrie Johnson and Danielle Webb Samantha Kong and Hala Sadek

Lambda Pi ETA Communication Honor Society (UNC Charlotte Nu Lambda Chapter Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 Inductees)

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ambda Pi Eta is the official undergraduate honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA), and is also an accredited honor society through the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). Lambda Pi Eta is an academic honor that enhances a student’s resume and LPE members have the benefit of establishing long-term connections to fellow members of the NCA. “Lambda Pi Eta serves as a visible reminder of students’ work ethic and commitment to Communication Studies- a commitment that is appreciated and recognized,” said Melody Dixon-Brown, who serves as the Society’s advisor.

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

Abby Lee

Jenna Hege

Brianna Smith

Jessica Sain

Brittany Bryan

Jessica Shamp

Cara Cooke

Jerrica Starnes

Chase McBride

Kathryn Robinson

Douglas Difranco

Lauren Starnes

Eric Vidunas

Megan Brandenburg

Gretchen Barrett

Meliha Krvavac

Gwendolyn Shearman

Regina Davis

Julie Akunyun-Moore

Staci Massey

Joanne Coffin

Susan Thomas

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CLUBS & INTERNSHIPS

DNC Internship, PRSSA, CSSA and Health Comm Clubs

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Communication Studies Student to Intern with the DNC

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he Democratic National Convention Host Committee and the New York City based Fox News Channel are giving UNC Charlotte students a unique opportunity to intern with the DNC this Fall(‘12). Staci Kuntzman, the Department’s Internship Coordinator, is in charge of the various DNC internship opportunities available to students. Although the students’ duties would vary from company to company, Kuntzman explains that the Fox News Channel is related to organizational communication and interns will help with the channel’s morning show production, while the DNC Host Committee is more focused on event planning. Interested students should schedule an appointment with Kuntzman through Niner Advisor and come prepared with an up-to-date resume and a Comm 4410 Internship Manual. Kuntzman anticipates receiving other DNC related internships as well, and students should reach to out the Career Center on campus to find out about other sponsors. “This is probably the best way to reach the entire student population.” Kuntzman explains.

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter News

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Public Relations Student Society of America at UNC Charlotte has had a very active year. PRSSA meetings are held every other Thursday and typically feature a public relations professional from a local agency, non-profit or corporation. 49er PRSSA members also volunteer at monthly PRSA luncheons where they network with local PR professionals. This year was 49er PRSSA’s first time participating in the UNC Charlotte Homecoming Cup. The competition was a great experience, gaining visibility for 49er PRSSA. In March, the pre-professional organization had the pleasure of touring local public relations agency, Carolina PR with Amanda Kirkpatrick, APR and founder of PRSA Charlotte’s Young Professionals group. Kirkpatrick gave practical advice on succeeding in public relations after graduating college. In addition, 49er PRSSA was the host campus for PRSSA National Assembly 2012. Assembly attendees included more than 200 PRSSA members from across the country, and the local chapter members volunteered and represented the Charlotte at the event.

The pre-professional organization closed out the year by participating in UNC Charlotte’s Communications Week and planning for an active 2012-2013.

OFFICERS (2011-2012): President- Gini Arnold Vice President- Celia Karp Seretary- Dana Boone Treasurer- Kate Brissenden Communications Coordinator- Samantha Falchook

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Communication Studies Student Association (CSSA) News

2011-12 CSSA officers (left to right) are: Vice-President Doug DiFranco, Treasurer Deb Tillman, and President Lina Pogosov).

Stacey Cloyd (secretary) is not pictured.

OFFICERS (2012-2013): President- Sydney Morehead Vice President- Brittany Norton Secretary- Amando Devoe Treasurer- Holli Davis Membership Chair- Sarah Obeid Programs Chair- Kelsey Bailey

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n the past year, the Communication Studies Student Association (CSSA) has undergone growth and changes. In less than a year, the club has been sanctioned by the Student Government Association and was showcased at the Communication Studies Spring Celebration Week (2011). The club has received several operational funding gifts, allowing them to host interviewing skills workshops and resume writing workshops. They also co-sponsored sportswriter Joe’ Posnanski’s talk on campus during the 2012 Communication Studies Spring Celebration Week.

The club has also recruited new members. Club officer elections were held during an ice cream social even on March 23.

Health Communication Club News

T OFFICERS (2011-2012): President- Michael DeBetta Vice President- Brittany Lester Treasurer- Meleah Skeen Secretary- Chelsea Suddreth

he Health Communication Club has been up to some very interesting events over the past school year. Club President Michael DeBetta started the year off by introducing the club to Staci Kuntzman, the Department’s Internship Coordinator, to help the students learn more about finding the right internship and possible career. The Health Club also teamed up with the Communication Studies Graduate Student Association (CSGSA) to host two guest speakers from the University of Southern Florida, and was awarded a $3,000 grant from the SGA. The Health Club also hosted an ice cream social for Health Communication students.

Various professionals from Carolinas Healthcare System and Wellness coordinator from the YMCA were several of the guests present at the social. The club also embarked on an adventure with UNC Charlotte’s Venture Program, learning teamwork skills by taking on the ropes and challenge courses on campus. The Health Club has also reached out to the community to collaborate with the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas to host its second annual blood drive on campus on April 12.

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EYE ON ALUMNI

After Graduation

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Graduate Alum Finds Success in Government Work

After graduating from the MA program, she started out working as an Organizational Training Manager. She began teaching at ECPI and CPCC in 2006, while doing freelance PR and working as a Media Specialist f or various organizations. She then taught PR, provided training, and conducted some research for AIDS outreach prevention workers in Siberia. She returned to Charlotte and continued to teach at ECPI and CPCC while doing freelance work for several health promotion campaigns.

When asked about her successful freelance work she had this advice for current students: “The way things are now, patience is your best friend. The more you can work for free to get your name out there, the more people come to depend on you because then they will come to you when there is a position open. [After graduating with an MA]

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I did a lot of free work and I got my name out there as much as I could. I networked all the time and I think you have to do that even more now.”

In 2007, she began working for City of Charlotte Department of Transportation as the Training and Safety Specialist. Her time was largely divided between assessing, tailoring, and providing specific training and safety programs. She recently became the Utilities OD and Training Manager of the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Utilities Department.

“I think that people feel that in government you can’t do things very quickly, make progress, or make changes very quickly,” Basaldua said. “But that isn’t true in my experience here, and we have to stay competitive because we don’t have the big dollars … You don’t spend your whole career trying to get something to happen; it happens and you make progress.”

Basaldua has welcomed change in her personal life as well. “I recently got married and had a son – both of which are more of an accomplishment than anything else I might have ever been lucky enough to get to experience.”

Her personal life and a commitment to making the world a better place have influenced her as well. “My personal philosophy is that if you’re going to be alive, you better to be alive for a reason. And it can’t be for you; that’s too selfish. I feel like we have a duty as citizens of the world to help it be a better place.”

One of the undergraduate courses Basaldua has found particularly helpful in her career is public speaking. “I really hope that students can find the value in their public speaking class,” she said. “Learning how to speak in front of people will make a huge difference in your life.”

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ucy Hartmeister Basaldua graduated from the Department’s MA program in 2004. She focused in International Public Relations and “sprinkled in a healthy dose of OD” [Organizational Development) coursework. She returned to UNC Charlotte to earn her Certificate in Organizational Development in 2010. “The main thing that I got out of my MA program was using a theoretical basis and practically applying it,” she said. “I don’t like the idea of theory for theory’s sake,” she said. “It is not just something that you should learn because communication theories are very interesting. You should learn them because you can use various theories in various ways in your life.”

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Health Communication Track Serves Alum Well Eddie Terrell Jr. is a 2010 graduate of the UNC Charlotte Health Track in the Communication Studies program. Also minoring in Interdisciplinary Health Studies, Terrell, 25, was confident the education he received at UNC Charlotte would help him find a job in the Health Communications field.

Q: Where are you currently working, and how did you find this job?

A: I am currently employed at Presbyterian Hospital, a Novant Health facility. My role at the institution is as patient advocate. I found this position while working as a patient transporter at the very same hospital. I checked the online job board regularly and continued to treat every day of interaction with people as my resume for my next potential position.

Q: What skills did the Health Communication track at UNC Charlotte bestow on you to help you with your current position?

A: My entire existence at Presbyterian relies on my communicative abilities with patients and their caregivers. Health Communication did a few things for me: First, it encouraged me to be more extroverted when speaking interpersonally or with large groups. I need to update people often with good and disappointing news.

This skill is certainly necessary.

Second, The Health Communication course load gave me an understanding of how to communicate with certain groups; whether they differ in religion, culture, gender or medical beliefs.

Lastly, I realize the role of effective communication. Often times, a medical professional may be mentally occupied by one thing and unintentionally convey their frustration to a patient. It becomes my job to patch things up the best way possible and try to address that person’s concerns successfully. I try to study body communication as well as the tone of someone’s voice in order to gauge where a personal encounter may go, in order to avert a potential complaint. One thing that truly stuck with me through Health Communication is that between 50-70 percent of

all communication is nonverbal while the actual words that are spoken are a smaller percentage of the message.

Q: Did you always know that this was what you wanted to do? What do you see yourself doing in the future?

A: I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do. I even took a much smaller job in patient transport at the hospital just to have the opportunity to network and move to this position. It took four months, but it happened for me, thank the Lord.

I will attempt my master’s degree this fall in Human Resource Management. We will see where that knowledge takes me.

Q: What was your most memorable moment during your time spent as a Health Comm student?

A: Besides graduation, there was a communication conference in Conway, South Carolina, the semester I graduated. I and seven of my classmates were able to attend and share projects that we worked on with Dr. Quinlan and Dr. Davis. It was a great bonding experience and a great way to meet other students and professors from various schools on this coast.

Q: Why did you choose UNC Charlotte?

A: Growing up in the area, I always heard the professors really equip you with the tools you need to make a successful life for yourself and aren’t just in it for themselves. That turned out to be correct.

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BOOKS AND TALKS Book Publishing/Presentations

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Communication Studies Professors Publish Books This is PR: The Realities of Public Relations “This is PR: The Realities of Public Relations,” 11th Edition, by Doug Newsom, Judy Turk and Dr. Dean Kruckeberg, is designed for audiences with varying levels of experience. It covers a wide range of topics, while focusing on fundamentals throughout. It also includes a large amount of case studies, strategies and tactics as well as supplemental electronic materials to help enable students to obtain practical tools which translate beyond the classroom. Some changes in this edition include: emergent technologies as they relate to PR, an expansion on crisis communication, and international standards of practice.

Death: The Beginning of a Relationship Dr. Christine Davis presented her book “Death: The Beginning of a Relationship” on March 20 at the “Personally Speaking” scholar series put on

by UNCC’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for the Charlotte community.

About 100 representatives from UNC Charlotte, Hospice, and the Charlotte community at large attended the program. This book intertwines Dr. Davis’s personal story of her father’s death with the story of her ethnography of a hospice organization. Communication at end-of-life can enable people who are dying and their loved ones to see beyond death and use empathy, meaning, and understanding to perceive and accept the whole being of the other person. She wrote this book as an evocative narrative that seeks to understand and explain the process of communicating with people who are dying—and their families—and the ways that this communication potentially reinforces and enhances the humanity, life, and sanctity of relationships. In her book, she shows how end-of-life communication can potentially maintain the humanness of the dying person and with it, the essential relationship between the dying and their loved ones. The talk was followed by a lively discussion of end-of-life issues, then a book signing and wine and hors d’oeuvre reception.

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Virtual Work and Human Interaction Research “Virtual Work and Human Interaction Research” by Dr. Shawn D. Long examines the virtual work paradigm and how this emerging work configuration changes our understanding of what “work” is and how “work” is done in contemporary organizational life. The book explores several theoretical and methodological virtual work research topics ranging from phenomenology, experiments in virtual work, dramaturgy, creative workers’ attitudes in virtual work, boundary spanning approaches in virtual work, and several other critical topics across 17 chapters. “Virtual Work is here to stay,” Dr. Long says. “We are experiencing a revolution, not a transition, in the way that we understand, think about and do work. I hope this book contributes to the larger international and interdisciplinary conversations about how individuals are making sense of this emerging work paradigm and how effective research can and should be done in this new work configuration.”

The Will of a People: A Critical Anthology of Great African American Speeches “The Will of a People: A Critical Anthology of Great African American Speeches” is a compilation and guide to almost 200 years of African American oratory. It has been named to Choice magazine’s list of “Significant University Press Titles for Undergraduates, 2011-2012.”

Choice magazine is the premiere book review journal for the nation’s librarians. The book contains full versions of numerous speeches, ranging from Maria Miller Stewart to Barack Obama, covering a wide variety of topics. Each speech is introduced with a substantial introductory essay designed to supplement the reader’s understanding of the speaker, the speech, and the historical context in which the speech occurred. “This book has truly been a labor of love,” said Dr. Leeman. “It grows directly out of my African American Oratory class, a course I have enjoyed teaching for two decades.”

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH Service and Special Programs

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Small Group Communications Class Helps Family in Need

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n the fall of 2011, Team Mohawk, a small group in Debbie Kilby Baker’s Small Group Communications 2105 course, created a fundraiser project to help a 4-year-old boy and his family in a time of need. The team has helped raised $7,000 to date for the boy’s battle against Leukemia.

Zac Hullander was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, a type of cancer that begins attacking the body’s white blood cells and can eventually progress to the main bloodstream. Zac has endured several rounds of chemotherapy and has since suffered several lifethreatening seizures since the diagnosis.

When Baker randomly assigned five individuals to a group, students Stacey Cloyd, Kim Argente, Stephanie Brown, Ashley Lyseki, and Jerry Xiong decided that they wanted to make an impact beyond campus. Cloyd has a personal connection with the Hullander family.

“I suggested a fundraiser to assist with the significant financial burden brought on by Zac’s catastrophic medical bills,” she explained. “The other team members readily accepted the idea and all whole-heartedly stepped up to the challenge.”

Team Mohawk set an attainable goal of raising $1,302 to cover the cost of the low-profile feeding tube called a “Mic-Key” that would last Zac two years. The group organized a 2K walk/fun run at Reedy Creek Park on Nov. 19, 2011. “We advertised diligently to sell tickets and collect donations,” Cloyd said. The students set up an easy online payment option where supporters could donate money towards the event. “Individuals continued to give

money up to two weeks after the 2K took place,” she said.

Several area restaurants caught wind of the fundraiser and offered support in the form of gift cards to be raffled off at the event. The students also designed and sold “Zac’s 2K” T-shirts for participants to wear during the run. “We could never have anticipated the extent of the amazing response we received,” Cloyd said. “There was quite an outpouring of goodwill and generosity.”

For Baker, this project was more than just an assignment.

“I’ve never had a project hit so close to home,” she said.

It turned out Zac Hullander and his family are fellow members of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, in Belmont.

Baker was unaware the students knew about Zac and was surprised and grateful the family received additional support from the broader community.

Baker has been teaching Small Group Communications at UNC Charlotte for 10 years and is always impressed by the endeavors put forth by her classes. “I hope that I inspire my students as much as they inspire me,” she said. “It is nice to see how one class can make an impact collectively. What project the students choose, however, is up to them. I am most concerned about interactions revolving around small group work,” she explained. Baker requires the groups make portfolios that track the work they have done, and she keeps the portfolios at the end of the semester to show to future classes.

To get involved with Team Mohawk and the Zac Hullander Fund, please contact Debbie Kilby Baker at Debbie.Baker@uncc.edu.

PR Professor Receives Infinity Award

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r. Dean Kruckeberg was presented with the Infinity Award by the Charlotte chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) on Oct. 26, 2011. According to PRSA’s website the award is the chapter’s top honor given for “public relations professional whose character, career and service represent the highest standards and who excels in the practice of public relations and/or has accomplished an outstanding one-time achievement”.

The Infinity Award has been given out since 1975 and includes other notable members of the community like Joe S. Epley, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, and UNC Charlotte graduate alum Nora Carr. When asked about the accomplishment, Dr. Kruckeberg humbly said “it probably has more to do with the [Center for Global Public Relations]… than my resume.”

He explained that “in some ways this is more meaningful [than some of his national awards] because it is a local award … it is more of an acceptance and buy in for the Center … and its role and its validity in the community.”

Study Abroad in LONDON T

he Communication Studies Department is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Study Abroad Program in London this summer (’12) by sending 18 students to England. The group, made up of students from UNC Charlotte, the University of Georgia, Cal State Northridge, Georgia State, and the University of Central Michigan, will travel to the United Kingdom June 5-29. Dr. Ashli Stokes of UNC Charlotte will lead the program. “We hope to better prepare students to work in global public relations!” she said.

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PROGRAMS

Home and Abroad

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Freitag Finds Fullbright Fellowship Fulfilling

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r. Alan Freitag is spending six months in Poznan, Poland on a Fulbright Fellowship. We caught up with him to find out how the Fellowship is going, which began in February.

is the research project on employee communication I’m working on with a team of scholars and graduate students from both UNC Charlotte (Dr. Jaehee Cho and Nick Woods) and here at the Poznań University of Economics (Dr. Jacek Trębecki and Martyna Dziubek).

Eventually, that will lead, we hope, to publications stemming from the result of our research. Additionally, I will have opportunities in the coming years to talk about my Poland experience with U.S. academic, professional and civic audiences.

Q. You have traveled extensively in your career. Have you been surprised by anything -- i.e. the culture, the people -- in your time in Poland this spring?

Stary Rynek in Poland -- photo by Alan Freitag

Q. Can you talk a little about your responsibilities as a Fulbright Professor?

The Fulbright program, administered by the U.S. State Department and supported by partnering countries such as Poland, is associated with the department’s public diplomacy efforts. My role is to contribute to increased understanding and a mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Poland. I do that through lecturing and leading discussions with students and faculty here, conducting media activities, and participating in seminars and other professional and academic events and activities. I can lecture, for example, on a professionally-related topic such as corporate social responsibility, but in doing so, I can share insights into how the United States views that topic so my colleagues and students here gain a more extensive understanding of the subject. At the same time, I can query them on the Polish perspective so that when I return to Charlotte, I’ll be able to share my deepened understanding on my own campus. Of course, the central underpinning of my fellowship

Yes, I have been surprised, pleasantly so, … by the quality of the food. That sounds a bit odd, but it would be difficult to overstate the difference in the taste here.

The vegetables, the eggs, the dairy products, all items that are locally produced are incredibly flavorful. I had forgotten how delicious a simple potato can be, or a carrot, or a leek, a turnip, or radishes, cabbage, everything … I’ve discussed this with other people from the United States living here, and they fully concur. It seems there are no large, industrial farms in Poland; local food is produced on small family farms. There is little use of chemical additives either to the soil or during the transport or processing of food. I can’t say with certainty that it’s related, but I seldom see an overweight person here.

Could that be attributed to the natural high quality of the food? Is it because the lifestyle here requires a good deal of walking every day? A combination? … I’m told by others here that if I’m impressed now, just wait till summer when the fresh local vegetables become available in abundance!

Q. What have you found most enjoyable about your stay in Poland?

Without doubt, the most enjoyable aspect of my time in Poland so far has been the people I’ve met … Everyone I’ve encountered here, from top university

19 administrators to restaurant servers and store clerks has been absolutely wonderful and welcoming to me. I know I’m building enduring friendships as I gain a deep appreciation for the genuine goodness of the Polish people. There is a spirit here among the people that is palpably positive. They are energetic, upbeat, committed to their nation’s growing success, not just economically, but culturally and politically. This is the nation of Copernicus, Chopin, Kościuszko, Madame Curie, Lech Walęsa, Pope John Paul II, Sikorsky, Paderewski, Joseph Conrad and so many more prominent figures in every discipline. Their history is rich, extensive and impressive.

I have so much to learn here.

Q. What have you found most challenging?

I’ve been working very hard at learning the language, but it’s extremely difficult. I don’t think it’s just because

I’m older; even the young undergraduate and graduate students in my class (twice a week for 1 1/2 hours) are struggling. I had learned a good deal of German, French and some Spanish before, so I’m familiar with the process of learning a language. However, Slavic languages introduce new layers of complexity. Still, I love the language and eagerly anticipate building on my growing ability in Polish.

Q. Anything you’d like to add?

I strongly encourage people to plan a visit and even an extended stay in beautiful Poland. You will be warmly welcomed and embraced here. You will discover a fascinating place with centuries of proud history and the hope and promise of a prosperous future. And wait till you taste the vegetables!

UNC Charlotte Students Partner with Broadcast Communications Produce TV Show

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he UNC Charlotte Department of Communication Studies is offering a new course to students interested in broadcast production. The course is open to Communication Studies students as well as Film Studies students, and gives them a chance to become producers, writers, and editors of short feature segments of Inside UNC Charlotte, a 30- minute show that airs on the local public television channel WTVI.

Rusty Sheridan teaches the course, and explains the duties of the class as a whole: “The students in the class work as producers and all of the content for the student segment of the show is conceived, written, directed, and edited entirely by the class.” An added benefit of the student production is that it highlights a particular event or program taking place on campus. Once the students find a suitable topic to feature, the production begins. “The students schedule all of the necessary elements to film the segment,” Sheridan says. “Once the segment is in, the students work to edit the footage down to a six- to eight-minute long segment.” The students coordinate the talent, familiarize themselves with the equipment, and begin working in the studio to edit. Once the segment is finished, it is edited in to a 30-minute episode that will alter air on WTVI. “This is our first partnership with Broadcast Communications and we developed a course specifically for the Inside UNC Charlotte show,” Department Chair Dr. Shawn Long says. The broadcast will also be available on the Video Magazine Class’ YouTube channel for other viewers to see. So far, the students have created several segments that will air on WTVI in late May or early June. To view the student segment, please visit: http://ow.ly/afduS

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FACULTY & GRADUATE PROGRAM Research, Awards and Presentations

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Grano to Teach Teachers

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he Charlotte Teacher’s Institute (CTI) has invited Dr. Dan Grano to lead a seminar in the fall of 2012 to teach CMS teachers, after he participated in an interdisciplinary lecture series in October 2011. The class is one of several diverse seminars for teachers at all levels and all subjects of local primary and secondary schools. Grano’s class, “Reading Media Imagery: Critical Thinking and Literacy”, will cover strategies and approaches for critically reading media texts (TV shows, photographs, films, etc.) fo r below the surface meanings.

“Media literacy is important for understanding how media images shape the terms upon which we negotiate questions of policy, or personhood, or any number of central matters of civic engagement,” Grano said. “There are certain tools that allow us to better understand and see the structures of culture that are visible through media imagery.”

Dr. Grano is taking a critical pedagogy approach to the subject. With a wide variety of potential subject areas and age groups, the lesson plans, media, and “tools for reading media” will be tailored to the specific needs of the teachers. “There are teachers who teach science, for example, who want their students to be more media literate because of the interconnections of science and media in pop culture,” he said. “The CTI seminar provides a unique opportunity to apply media literacy in diverse contexts.”

CTI is a partnership between CMS, UNC Charlotte and Davidson College. In addition to teacher training seminars, they also sponsor public lectures and other programs.

Professor Wins “Article of the Year” Award

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r. Margret M. Quinlan received the Anita Taylor Outstanding Published Article from the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language and Gender (OSCLG) in October, 2011 in Chicago. She and co-author Dr. Lynn Harter received the award for their article, “Meaning in Motion: The Embodied Poetics and Politics of Dancing Wheels”. The article examines The Dancing Wheels Company and School from a feminist perspective and explains how their performances help to counter the master-narrative of disability. Dancing Wheels incorporates sit-down (persons in wheelchairs) and stand-up dancers, as well as disability rights history into their dance repertoire.

Quinlan and Harter showed how, through the use of their bodies, the dancers are able to tell a story as well as change public understanding of disability and what it means to be a person with a disability.

Quinlan explained this award has an additional significance for her because it is typically given for papers primarily focused on gender; whereas her paper utilizes a feminist lens to more deeply understand embodied communication and (re)constructions of disability. Last year, Dr. Quinlan organized a UNC Charlotte event where Dancing Wheels performed for faculty and students.

“For me, research, teaching, and service are all really connected,” she said. “To be able to use the paper in a class and be able to see Dancing Wheels at the same time … is scholarship, teaching, and service at its finest.”

Cho and Scott Conduct Commu

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his spring (2012), Drs. Jaehee Cho and Cliff Scott have been conducting an internal communications audit for the faculty and staff at UNC Charlotte. This is part of a recent reorganization of UNC Charlotte’s communication operations overseen by the Executive Director of University Communications, Stephen Ward. Scott explained, “(the main idea) is trying to get a better idea of the kinds of information people are getting, not getting, through what channels, and with what kinds of effects of different issues.” “One of the classic things an internal communications audit is designed to do is find out where people are getting overloaded with information, not just because it’s annoying, but because it adds stress, wastes people’s time, and creates inefficiencies.” This internal communications

Graduate Student Attends Top NCA Seminar

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avid Askay (Communication MA, 2011 and current Organizational Science PhD student) participated in the 2011 Doctoral Honors Seminar, sponsored by the National Communication Association (NCA). Only 30 students from universities in three countries were accepted to the prestigious program, held July 26-29 at North Dakota State University. Dr. Loril Gossett, Askay’s advisor, noted that the NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar is an extremely competitive program.

She explained that “the program is designed to bring together the most promising young scholars from all areas of the discipline. The hope is that the bonds these students create with each other as grad students will continue to grow throughout their careers and help the field evolve in new and exciting ways.”

Askay said, “I got a lot of positive feedback on my thesis.

So it was reaffirming to know that my voice matters and my research matters besides (just) to me and my advisor.”

He added the seminar gives graduate students “access to different ideas, different lines of research, different ways to think about communication.”

Askay appreciates the networking opportunities the program provided. “It exposes you to how broad the field really is and what your research can fit into,” he said. “It’s really cool to be able to go there and say you fit in there, communicate at that level, and meet new students. It is intended to be ongoing, like you are a community.”

The seminar connects students with faculty mentors from some of the top communication programs in the country.

The program encourages participants to “engage in discussions of the theoretical, methodological, ethical, and practical issues involved in conducting research that might come to define the next century of communication scholarship,” according to Natcom.org.

unications Audit for UNC Charlotte audit has a broad scope and encompasses all faculty and staff. Much of the report will likely focus on university-wide issues which are common in large bureaucratic organizations. They began by conducting a series of focus groups in order to better identify issues to address in their survey. They then customized and distributed their survey and conducted several interviews with key individuals. Although they are still gathering and analyzing the data, they hope to be able to recommend changes in May that will reduce repetitive faculty e-mails, help improve interdepartmental communications, and increase effectiveness of consultation in-decision making, reduce information overload, and allow interested employees to learn more about their organization.

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GRADUATE PROGRAM 2012 Graduates

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Congratulations to the 2012 Graduates of the MA Program!

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ur 63rd graduate of the program is Chelsea Wilde. Chelsea’s thesis was on corporate social responsibility in three major global sporting events and the implications for public relations to lead Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Chelsea’s thesis was chaired by Dr. Ashli Stokes, and the rest of her committee included Dr. Alan Freitag and Dr. Dan Grano. Chelsea participated in the International Public Relations Seminar in the UK last summer. This year, she was Teaching Assistant in Communication Theory and was Research Assistant for Dr. Margaret Quinlan, helping her with research about breast cancer and infertility.

She also received a summer assistantship to assist Ms. Staci Kuntzman in redesigning the Interpersonal Communication course for an online format. She received first place in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences category for her paper presentation on International Public Relations at the Graduate Research Fair at UNC Charlotte in February. And, she’s been manager for the Center for Global Public Relations. Chelsea’s long term goals are to get a PhD in Public Relations. Her short term goal is to work as a public relations practitioner.

Our 64th graduate of the program is Julia Nelson. Julia’s thesis was on “Encouraging Traumatic Injury Survivors to Vote: Brochures for TBI Voter Empowerment and Training for Poll Workers.” Dr. Christine Davis chaired Julia’s thesis committee and the rest of her committee consisted of Dr. Alan Freitag and Dr. Mark Hirsch of Carolinas Healthcare System. Julia’s thesis work followed a multi-year-long NIH-funded assistantship in which she worked with Dr. Davis and colleagues from Carolinas Healthcare to investigate the experience of people with brain injury voting. Julia presented a poster of this research at the National Communication Association annual conference. Julia began in our program with an International Public Relations assistantship and studied at Zeppelin University in Germany for one semester.

Julia recently completed a one year full time internship in Human Resources with Continental Tire and is now employed as Human Resources Analyst at Ally Bank.

The 65th graduate of our program is Adrianna Coley.

Adrianna successfully passed her comprehensive

examination under the supervision of Dr. Jillian Tullis.

The rest of her committee members were Dr. Loril Gossett and Dr. Dean Kruckeberg. Adrianna attended the National Communication Association convention in November of 2011. Dr. Davis enjoyed having Adrianna in her Focus Groups class in the fall in which she assisted in a needs assessment for Jewish Family Services. She held a Graduate Assistantship with UNC Charlotte’s Institutional Review Board. Her future plans are a career in employee relations or Public Relations.

The 66th graduate of our program is Heidi Germain.

Heidi’s thesis was an ethnographic examination of executive coaches, on “Developing Professional Identities among Executive Coaches.” Her thesis committee was chaired by Dr. Loril Gossett and the rest of her committee members were Dr. Cliff Scott and Dr. Jillian Tullis. Heidi is an outstanding academic citizen: she attended the Carolinas Communication Association’s Fall 2011 conference, the Ethnography pre-conference at the National Communication Association also in 2011, presented an outstanding paper on uncertainty management at NCA in 2011, and presented a poster and paper at UNC Charlotte’s graduate research fair in 2012. She is also an outstanding departmental citizen, and as President of our Communication Studies Graduate Student Association, Heidi regularly went above and beyond to organize and lead our graduate students. In addition, she was a member and representative for the Volunteer Program Assessment for the Organizational Science department. She did all this while holding an assistantship in Business Communication at UNC Charlotte’s Career Center. Heidi plans to eventually get her PhD in organizational communication.

The 67th graduate of our program is Morgan Smalls.

Morgan’s thesis was on “The Study of Communication of Social Support while Abroad.” Her thesis committee was chaired by Dr. Jillian Tullis, and her other committee members were Dr. Cliff Scott and Dr. Margaret Quinlan.

Morgan received our competitive international assistantship last year to study abroad for a semester at Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester,

23 England. She’s been active in the Student Government Association. She’s currently Teaching Assistant for the Introduction to Organizational Communication Class for Dr. Gossett. She also has a Graduate Assistantship with the Center for Global Public Relations as the Recharge Unit Manager and Development Officer. Her future plans are to apply to doctoral programs.

The 68th graduate of our program is Brian Richards.

Brian successfully defended his comprehensive examination. His comprehensive examination committee was chaired by Dr. Christine Davis, and the rest of his committee was Dr. Dan Grano and Dr. Jaehee Cho. Brian has presented papers at the annual conventions of the Southern States Communication Association and the Carolinas Communication Association, as well as at UNC Charlotte’s graduate research fair. Brain has been on the executive committee of the Communication Studies Graduate Student Association. His future plans are to teach Communication Studies at the college or university level.

The 69th graduate of our program is Sayde Brais.

Sayde’s thesis is on “Socialization and Membership in Churches.” Her faculty committee was chaired by Dr. Cliff Scott, and also on her committee were Dr. Shawn Long, and Dr. Jillian Tullis. Sayde has worked with several faculty members on research projects: with Dr. Stokes on Public Relations and the BP oil spill; with Dr. Long to study leadership diversity in the Communication discipline; and with Dr. Long on a book chapter on Dramaturgy and Virtual Work. She has been teaching assistant in Business Communication and Communication and Mass Media. She is currently Vice Present of the Communication Studies Graduate Student Association. She attended the annual conventions of the Carolinas Communication Association and the National Communication Association. She presented a poster at UNC Charlotte’s Graduate Student Research Fair.

Sayde was graduate student for Dr. Long this year. Her long term career goals are to obtain her Doctorate in Organizational Communication. Her short term goals are to teach in Communication Studies while applying.

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CONFERENCES NCA, CCA and SSC

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NCA Convention and Department Reception

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aculty and graduate students from the Department attended the 97th annual NCA convention held Nov. 1720 in New Orleans. Our graduate program was well represented at NCA. Nine graduate students and one alumnus attended. Three MA students presented papers. Sherri Fairbairn presented two papers at NCA, one titled “The Standing O: A Ritual of Ability,” and one titled “A Dialogue of Difference: An Ethical Approach to Disability Communication.” Heidi Germain presented “On to Bigger and Better Things. . . Wait, What do I do Now? Assimilation, Uncertainty Reduction, and Changing Relationships During Job Promotions and Transfers.” Laura Smailes presented a paper titled “Exploring the Narrative to Identify Spiritual Themes: Combat Soldiers Coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Laura’s paper was on the Top Paper Panel for the Spiritual Communication Division. Alumnus Ben Efird also presented a paper. Faculty who chaired, presented, and/or were on a round-table discussion included Jahee Cho, Christine Davis, Loril Gossett, Daniel Grano, Min Jiang, Margaret Quinlan, Ashli Stokes, and Jillian Tullis. Smailes was on the top paper panel in the Spirituality Division and Margaret Quinlan was on the top paper panel for the Disabilities and Communication Division. “We have a great group of curious, dedicated and committed graduate students across both programs, so it was a great source of pride to see them work the convention with such zeal and excitement,” said Department Chair, Dr. Shawn Long.

The Department hosted its first NCA reception with the Organizational Science program and premiered its online video promotion. In addition to the Department’s reception many of the graduate students also attended the Ohio University and University of South Florida open houses. Much of the excitement for the graduate students was meeting the discipline’s highly-regarded scholars. Fairbairn presented her paper with her primary theorist in the audience.

Smalls presented papers. Sherri’s paper titled “The Spiritual Journey of Negotiating my Identity as Mother of a Child with Down Syndrome” was the top student paper in the Ethnography Division.

Smalls Blogs About Travel Overseas

MA Students Present at Southern States Communication Association Conference

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The Southern States Communication Association conference was held in San Antonio, Texas, in April 2012. MA students Sherri Fairbairn and Laura

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organ Smalls created a personal blog as part of the Master’s Overseas Exchange Program.

She says “my blog was designed to provide a communal experience in which I could share my adventure with my family, friends and classmates. It also gave a glimpse into my life while abroad to provide inspiration , excitement and encourage others to study or travel abroad.” Her blog creates the feeling of a bird’s-eye view of her experiences and reflections as she discusses a variety of topics from spirituality to fashion to culture shock. http://mosmalls.wordpress. com/about/

Graduate Students Make a Strong Showing at CCA Conference

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The Carolinas Communication Association Conference was well-attended Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 by the Department’s graduate students. Regina Young, Sherri Fairbairn, and Laura Smailes, all MA students, took part in a panel called “Healing Narratives: The Therapeutic Nature of Writing Autoethnography.” Sherri Fairbairn was also on the Top Paper Panel for the Mary Jarrard Graduate Paper Competition with her paper title “Seeing Spencer: Tensions of Acceptance and Rejection of Disability.” David Askay was on the Mary Jarrard Graduate Paper Panel with his paper titled “Silence in the Crowd: Materiality Contributing to a Spiral of Silence in an Online Feedback System.

“Our students did an outstanding job at the conference, and we were well- represented,” said Dr. Cris Davis, the Department’s graduate program coordinator, who had a front row seat at the conference hosted by Salem College.

Graduate Program Introduces New Internship Program

By Kaitlin Rogers, MA Student

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The Communications Studies Graduate Program has introduced a new Graduate Internship program for MA students interested in seeking opportunities to gain valuable experience outside of academia. Recognizing that internships are extremely important for students pursuing careers in Communication, the Department developed an internship program which allows graduate students to gain practical experience in a wide range of communication-related fields. These internships are designed to enrich the curriculum and to assist students in exploring various career options. However, these internships will not count toward graduate students’ programs of study because they are evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis.

I admit I was hesitant to participate in an internship at first since I was not receiving curriculum credit. But when I thought about it, when else would I have the time or opportunity to network with professionals of the field, learn and practice fundamental skills under the guidance of a practitioner, and apply the theoretical concepts I’m simultaneously learning in the classroom?

So I took it on. By the end of the internship, my goal was to have a better understanding of my interests in a professional field for after graduation. As luck would have it, I happened to be interning during a transitional period in the company when a Public Relations position opened up. In a world where finding a job is more competitive than ever, especially among recent graduates, having the opportunity to intern is an invaluable experience. It not only builds your résumé competitively, but you never know what doors it may open for you down the road. The

interdisciplinary structure of the Communication Studies program works to students’ advantage as they can intern in a wide array of industries geared toward both their research and professional interests. I am very thankful for my decision to continue with the internship and encourage other students to do the same.

To learn more about the Graduate internship opportunity, please meet with the Graduate Internship Coordinator or Graduate Program Director.

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COMMUNICATION

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On April 18 in the Student Union, Internship Coordinator Staci Kuntzman and the Communication Studies Student Association hosted the First Department of Communication Studies Internship Fair. There were sponsors offering internships in Health Communication, Organizational Communication, Public Relations, Mass Media, Public Advocacy and Journalism.

Sponsors include:

Make-A-Wish® Central & Western North Carolina National Kidney Foundation Serving the Carolinas Lyerly Agency Novant Healthcare National Multiple Sclerosis Society The Neighborhood Theatre WSOC-TV Hendrick Motorsports UNCC-Office of Parent and Family Services Bella Boca PR No Limit Larry-Radio Personality Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Home Instead Senior Care CLT Blog Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County UNCC-Office of Admissions Indian American Muslim Council Mothering Across Continents

Graduate Student Poster Session Communication Studies Graduate Students presented semester-long projects during a meet-and-greet on April 17th as a part of UNC Charlotte’s Communication Studies Celebration Week. The graduate students held the poster session to showcase the topics of their research. The event was open to all students and faculty members, and guests were able to observe the posters and speak with the graduate students about their research projects.

Talk/Text/Tweet

In conjunction with Communication Studies Celebration Week and National Healthcare Decisions Day, the Department of Communication Studies and the Mecklenburg End of Life Care Coalition presented “Isn’t it Time We Talk/Text/Tweet: Health Care Crises and the College Student”. Dr. Jillian Tullis organized the second annual interactive event to bring students and experts together to discuss the importance of talking with family, friends and loved ones about health care choices in the event of a crises. The program included information about the young women who influenced the end-of-life movement and tips for how to begin conversations about personal wishes. The free event was open to students, staff, faculty and the public. Participants were encouraged to bring their cell phones or laptop computers to follow-up. Two sessions were held April 18 in the Lucas Room of the Cone Center.

STUDIES WEEK

Alum Sportswriter UNC Charlotte Alum Joe Posnanski, 2011 National Sportswriter of the Year, returned to campus April 19 to talk to the community about sports journalism.

After working the last three years as a senior columnist for Sports Illustrated, he took a job this spring at USA Today/MLB Advanced Media. Posnanski has authored three books on sports and won numerous awards as a sportswriter. Posnanski’s talk was sponsored by the Communication Studies Student Association, the Journalism Minor and the Society of Professional Journalists and was one of the spotlights during the Department’s “Communication Studies Celebration Week.”

Pat Leebrick (left) and Mary Hicks were honored at the Black & White Affair at the Communication Studies Department Annual Award Night.

The two long-standing staff members are retiring in July 2012.

Global Public Relations Conference The Center for Global Public Relations held its second annual conference during UNC Charlotte’s Communication Studies Celebration week in the Barnard Student Activities Center on April 20th. The Conference titled “Communicating Beyond Borders: Building Relationships Among Corporations, NGOs and Governments” included panel and round table discussions.

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FACULTY Debbie Kilby Baker

Debbie Baker

Dr. Jaehee Cho earned his BA from Sogang University in South Korea and his MA and Ph.D degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies and Core Faculty of the Doctoral Program of Organizational Science. He joined the Department in Fall 2011 and teaches Communication Research Methods and

Jon Crane

Dr. Jon Crane received his bachelor’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois, and studied for his doctorate at The Institute of Communications Research, specializing in cultural studies. Currently he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in communication theory, mass media and film studies. “Teaching is an activity akin to chatting with a friend over coffee, swapping lies with mates at a bar and revisiting family legends around the dinner table,” he says. “It is one of the ways we best apprehend our shared world and when it goes well there are few better ways of fashioning common sense.” Crane’s areas of interest include media, film, and popular culture, and his research projects deal extensively with film and the role genre plays in the interpretation of cinematic violence. He is an author of Terror and Everyday Life: Singular Moments in the History of the Horror Film (Sage, 1994), and has also written extensively on the complex interplay between individual directors and their chosen generic niche. A devoted Chicago baseball fan, Crane has this to say: “The unfounded rumors that have circulated for decades maintaining that there are two professional baseball

John Crane

Jaehee Cho

Intercultural Communication. He has published articles in the Journal of Applied Communication Research and Human Communication Research. His main research areas include: issues related to organizational communication in intercultural settings, informationsharing, and multitasking/multi-communication at workplaces. Cho’s research philosophy is “Theory must be followed by practice, and vice versa.” About teaching, he says, “If you can’t escape it, enjoy it. I really want my students to ‘ENJOY’ my classes and ‘USE’ knowledge from them.” Outside of education, he says he loves fishing and farming. He and his wife have a son, who loves playing piano and practicing Taekwondo. They are also expecting a baby girl in May.

Jaehee Cho

Debbie Baker has taught undergraduate courses in business communication, small group, interpersonal communication contexts, and public speaking – including Freshman Learning Community sections – since January 2001. She received her education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, in 1993 and 1999, respectively, and has served as a member of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association Board of Governors. Baker managed corporate sales accounts and served as a junior faculty member at UNC Greensboro prior to her current position. As an educator and speaker, she has developed workshops and lectured on strategies in public speaking and teaching effectiveness. “Walk by my classroom and you might hear laughter flowing freely, the ‘Olympics Fanfare’ medley resonating when teams proudly accept their medals or complete silence as students work intently on an exercise,” she says about the experiences students have in her class. “I create diverse learning environments, along with a traditional form of lecturing, to captivate attention, encourage active participation and enhance recall.” Baker has earned certification in corporate training by the American Society of Training and Development. She serves as the faculty advisor for Communication Studies Student Association (CSSA). One of her favorite sayings comes from Abraham Lincoln: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

Christine Davis

Dr. Christine Davis is Associate Professor of Communications Studies, and the Coordinator of Graduate Studies for the department. She received her BA degree in 1979 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; her MA in 1999 from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro; and her Ph.D. in 2005 from the University of South Florida, all in the field of Communication Studies. She teaches courses related to Health Communication and Communication Research Methods, where she has a strong interest in the areas of narrative, ethnography, and auto ethnography. Davis has recently published two books – “Death: The Beginning of a Relationship” (2010) and “Straight Talk about Communication Research Methods” (2010), – co-written with Dr. Heather Gallardo and Dr. Kenneth Lachlan. Her current research includes several projects related to communication in children’s mental health treatment teams; critical analysis of social construction of health, wellness and exercise; oral history of people who are homeless; social construction of women and aging; and communication in families with a spouse with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Davis says that she “strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students, the university, and the community—both locally and nationally. I think that part of my role as instructor is to develop in students a love of learning. I am very intentional about fostering a culture of openness and high expectations.” In her spare time, Davis loves to sail, hike, and jog.

Melody Dixon-Brown

Melody Dixon-Brown, Senior Lecturer, emphasizes the business elements of communications. With almost 20 years of corporate experience that included BBDO Advertising and DuPont, Dixon-Brown believes that

Alan Freitag

Melody Dixon-Brown

Christine Davis

franchises in Chicago are patently untrue. There is only one professional baseball team in the Windy City and they play ball on the Southside.”

“ students must build on their strengths of creativity and oral and written communication; however, they must learn managing, budgeting, and professional ‘best practices’ as well.” She has taught business communication, event planning, and small group communication. She has a dual degree in marketing and classic movies. communications management from Syracuse University and an MBA from The University of Delaware. When not teaching, you’ll find her enjoying a good book or watching

Alan Freitag

Professor Dr. Alan Freitag earned his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh in 1973, his M.A. from Webster University in 1977, and before completing his Ph.D from Ohio University in 1999, he began teaching here in August 1998. He teaches undergraduate courses within his areas of interest, including Fundamentals of Public Relations, Public Relations Writing, International Public Relations, Research Methods, Event Planning and News Writing. He also teaches graduate courses in Communication Campaign Management, Internationals Public Relations, and Media Relations. He also advises the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). In the classroom, Freitag says, “I have striven to maintain sharp focus on preparing students for entry into the demanding profession of public relations and rapid ascent to its higher levels.” Dr. Freitag has had works published in Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journal of Public Relations Research, Journal of Communication Management, Public Relations Quarterly, Newspaper Research Journal, Airman, and Asia-Pacific Defense Forum. He has also earned formal, professional accreditation in public relations practice through 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 Days of Patton,” with George C. Scott.

Sandy Hanson

Loril Gossett

Dan Grano

Dan Grano Dr. Daniel Grano is a graduate and undergraduate professor of Rhetorical Theory, Criticism, Ethics and Cultural Studies. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis in 1995 and his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Rhetoric and Public Address from Louisiana State University in 1997 and 2003, respectively. His research focuses on how power shapes moral judgment, especially in popular cultural contexts like mediated sport, and he has published in various journals, including “Critical Studies in Media Communication”, “Rhetoric & Public Affairs”, “Rhetoric Society Quarterly”, and “The Southern Communication Journal.” His latest article in “The Quarterly Journal of Speech” is on the race and class politics of the New Orleans Superdome reopening. As a teacher he says his philosophy is grounded in a basic assumption from the liberal arts tradition. “Our job is to prepare students for critical and ethical participation in civic life,” Grano says. “For me teaching is exciting because there is always something new to take up with students based on research developments or everyday events, so semester to semester our exchanges are always changing shape.”

When not teaching he enjoys being the proud father of his baby boy, Anthony.

Loril Gossett

Dr. Loril Gossett is an associate professor in Introduction to Organizational Communication and Control and Motivation in Organizational Settings. She has interests in areas of Organizational Communication, Nonstandard Labor Arrangements and Identification, Participation and Control in Organizational Settings. From the University of Colorado, Boulder she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1993 and her Doctorate degree in 2001. In her research she examines how alternative work relationships, such as out-sourced employees, volunteers, and geographically dispersed workers, impact our understanding of what it means to be or communicate as an organizational member. Gossett says she loves the topics she teaches and

showing students how these concepts can impact their daily lives. “I consider teaching to be a highly interactive process. I work to create a classroom environment that encourages students to freely contribute their ideas.0 In order to make the course material come alive, I use case studies, video clips, and discussion questions. I also design research and writing activities that encourage students to apply course concepts to their daily lives.”

Outside teaching, Gossett enjoys film and has attended several film festivals, including South by Southwest and Charlotte Film Festival. She is a long-distance runner and has completed three marathons, with plans to participate in more.

Sandy Hanson

Sandy Hanson received her Bachelor of Science at Louisiana State University and her Master of Science at Florida State University. She has been a full-time Lecturer since 2000, teaching undergraduate courses in Organizational Communication, Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Advanced Organizational Communication, Public Speaking, and Communication Conflict. In 2010, she was promoted to Senior Lecturer. Hanson has published a chapter in an introductory textbook on conflict and communication. In addition to her teaching duties, she serves as a guest lecturer with the English Language Training Institute, writes textbook reviews for various publishing companies, and presents papers at professional organizational conferences. “Teaching, well, is challenging!” she says. “I work hard to enliven classroom discussions with humor, student participation, and anecdotes to bring theory to life. Also, I believe in an experiential learning model so I use Problem-Based Learning in my classes. This allows my students the opportunity to refine their analytical skills through participant-observation and reflection.” She manages to make time to teach 9-10 classes of water aerobics a week, with 16 years of teaching experience in the water.

Tim Horne

Mary Hicks & Pat Leebrick

Tim Horne has been an instructor with the department since 2006 and serves as the Director of Forensics.

The Forensics Team gives students at UNC Charlotte the opportunity to develop their argumentation and communication skills by competing with other universities and colleges throughout the nation. During his tenure with the team, the forensics program has received over 150 awards on both the regional and national level. In addition to his work with forensics, Horne also teaches a number of courses for the Communications Department, including Advanced Public Speaking, Persuasion, Mass Media, Media Ethics, and

Min Jiang

Assistant professor Dr. Min Jiang has journeyed a long way to teach at UNC Cha rlotte. She attended Beijing Foreign Studies University, where she received her Bachelor’s in 1999 and her Master’s in 2002. She earned her Ph.D from Purdue University in 2007. Jiang teaches undergraduate courses in Mass Communication, New Media & Technology, International and Intercultural Communication, and Research Methods. She has a wide range of interests focusing on issues in China, including Internet governance and policies, online civic and political participation, new media for social change, global media and international communication (with an emphasis on Chinese cultural values and online communities) and online and offline research methods.

Her research projects deal in matters in China as well; she has had projects funded to examine the Chinese blogosphere, studied Chinese online collective incidents and models of Internet governance, participated in comparative studies of dominant search engines in China and has done a hyperlocal community capital project with the UNC Charlotte Complex System Institute. Of her teaching philosophy, she says: “Education is about replacing an empty mind with an open one. Be openminded about everything. Learn as much as possible.”

While she was in college, she once worked as an assistant to the movie director of “Kill Bill” and decided “it’s a lot more fun to watch a movie than make one.”

Min Jiang

For over a decade, Mary Hicks has worked at UNC Charlotte. She started as a temporary employee with Student Accounts/Cashier Office in 1998. She then moved over part-time to the Communications Studies Department in July 2000 and went full-time in 2007.

Hicks says her work load has grown steadily with the rapidly growing department, but laughter gets her through the work day. “The best part of my job is the people I work with,” she says. “We have a great group of faculty and staff, and of course, the best students at UNCC.” Outside of work, she immerses herself in family life: Her husband of 40 years, two grown children, Davey and Amanda, their spouses, Deana and Matt, and two grandchildren, Peyton Mackenzie and Noah Ethan.

She says, “My family is indeed my treasure.” The other special woman working in the Communications Studies department is Office Manager Pat Leebrick. Leebrick joined the Department 11 years ago after working as the Campus Event Planner for six years. An avid animal rescuer, Mrs. Leebrick has adopted two cats, Charlie and Lucy, an indoor Beagle, Sadie, seven ducks, an outside dog, Peanut, and she feeds the neighborhood dog, Buddie.

“I seem to rescue animals that people have thrown away,” says Leebrick. “It’s a menagerie at our house!” When not tending to her animals, Leebrick and her husband, Chris are proud, former competitive shag dancers that still indulge in the “dance of the South” just for fun.

Argumentation and Debate. Horne’s approach to the classroom setting encourages students to take the skills and information learned in his courses and apply them in a macro sense to other courses at UNC Charlotte and throughout their careers. Horne was honored with a B.E.S.T. Outstanding Teaching Excellence award for his work in his courses. Horne completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at UNC Charlotte in Communication Studies. An avid “Simpsons” fan, his office is decorated with various Simpsons collectibles.

“It may be the greatest television show ever created,” says Horne, “it just operates on so many levels that there is always new things to be discovered. It reminds me that a noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.”

Tim Horne

Mary Hicks & Pat Leebrick

Staci Kuntzman

Dean Kruckerberg

Lecturer Staci Kuntzman has held several titles since she came to work for the Department in 1997. As Internship Director since 2005, her duties include interviewing all potential interns and evaluating the performance of current interns, among others. She also teaches undergraduate courses in her areas of interest, Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking.

She has served as the Forensics Director, advisor to the university’s chapter of the Pi Kappa Delta, lieutenant governor for the Southeastern province of Pi Kappa Delta, and does community service at the university level.

Carol Leeman Undergraduate Coordinator and Senior Lecturer Carol Leeman has been teaching at UNC Charlotte since 1988.

Leeman became a full time faculty member in 1997 after receiving her Bachelor’s degree from UNC Charlotte in 1985 and her Master’s degree from Wake Forest University in 1993. Courses she has taught include Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Communication and Conflict, Freshman Seminar, the Sophomore Seminar for the Arts and Sciences Freshman Learning Community, and Persuasion. She says what she loves the most about teaching Communication courses is the often direct application of communication theories to everyday life. “My goal is to convey the theories and principles of the course in such a way that the students see the connection between the material and how it can enrich their lives.” Previously, she served as Coordinator of the College of Arts and Sciences Freshman Learning Community. She has conducted workshops in managing conflict, communicating assertively and creating supportive climates for a variety of campus and community organizations. Her other accomplishments include membership on the CHAMPS/Life Skills Coalition Advisory Committee and Greek Matrix Committee. She is active in the Carolinas Communication Association, where she has served as President. In her free time,

Carol Leeman

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.

He has a Bachelor’s in English with a minor in journalism from Wartburg College (1969); an M.A. in journalism (PR) from Northern Illinois University (1974); and a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from the University of Iowa (1985). Dr. Kruckeberg has co-authored several publications, including Public Relations and Community: A Reconstructed Theory and the 10th (2010), 9th (2006), 8th (2004), 7th (2000) and 6th (1996) editions of This Is PR: The Realities of Public Relations. In spring 2010, he taught UNCC’s London International Public Relations Seminar at Regent’s College. He has earned prestigious teaching awards as well, including national “Outstanding Educator” of the Public Relations Society of America (1995) and the Wartburg College Alumni Citation that recognized his accomplishments as one of the nation’s leading public relations educators (1998). He continues stressing the value of achievements in higher education in his teaching philosophy: “I try always to remember the importance of what we do as educators and the good that we can do when we perform our jobs well.

Those in higher education are responsible for preparing tomorrow’s leaders of global society, which is an awesome responsibility but a most rewarding task.”

She attended Marshall University, where she 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 excellence in teaching. “Offering a variety of techniques to learn, such as powerpoint presentations, videos, and online resources is vital to reaching different learning styles,” she says about teaching. “However, students also must commit to the learning process by listening and responding during lectures.” In 2009, Ms. Kuntzman gave her twelve-year-old daughter twin brothers to play with, adding to her already happy family.

Staci Kuntzman

Dean Kruckeberg

Richard Leeman Dr. Richard Leeman joined the Communication Studies Department faculty in 1989. He became the Department’s second chairperson in 2001 and served until 2010.

He teaches undergraduate courses within his areas of interest, including Rhetoric, Public Address, Political Communication and African American Orator. He also teaches courses on the graduate level in Textual Analysis. His teaching philosophy comes from his drive to challenge his students’ ways of thinking about the world. “My job is not so much to tell them what to think, but I do hope to help them decide what to think about.“ Leeman received his B.S. from Shippensburg State University in 1977 and his Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, in 1982 and 1990 respectively.

Currently, Leeman is working on a critical anthology of African American speeches, and in the past he has participated in writing, co-writing, or editing five books: The Rhetoric of Terrorism and Counterterrorism, “DoEverything Reform:” The Oratory of Frances E. Willard, African-American Oratory: A BioCritical Sourcebook, American Voices: Encyclopedia of Contemporary Oratory (with Bernard K. Duffy) and The Art and Practice of Argumentation and Debate (with Dr. Bill Hill). Aside from his teaching and publishing achievements, Leeman divulges a little known fact about himself: “[I am] distantly related to Irene Ryan, who played Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies. Helps explain the good looks.”

Shawn Long Dr. Shawn D. Long is Chair of the Department of Communication Studies. Long earned his undergraduate and M.P.A. degrees from Tennessee State University and his Ph.D.

Craig Paddock

Shawn Long

Richard Leeman

Leeman says she likes to venture outside the Queen City: “I love to travel, and to see new things and learn about different places.”

in Communication from the University of Kentucky.

He centralizes organizational communication, virtual work, diversity communication, virtual-team assimilation and socialization, health communication and interpretive methods associated with the study of organizational culture and symbolism as his primary teaching and research areas. He is an award winning teacher, researcher and administrator. His most recent research appears in Communication Monographs, Clinical Transplantation, Journal of the National Medical Association, Journal of Health Communication and Communication Teacher. He has published two books, “Communication, Relationships and Practices in Virtual Work” and “Virtual Work and Interaction Research.”

Long serves on several editorial boards and has consulted local, regional and national organizations. Dr. Long is immediate-past Chair of the African American Communication and Culture Division (AACCD) of the National Communication Association.

Craig Paddock

Lecturer, J. “Craig Paddock received his Bachelor’s in Print Journalism from Bob Jones University and his Master’s in Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina. He teaches undergraduate journalism courses in editing, media ethics, and Introduction to Journalism for the Department. He has taught communication studies at various area colleges, including Wingate, GardnerWebb and CPCC since 2005 and has worked as a copy editor and page designer at newspapers such as The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C. and the Charlotte Observer for 20 years. His teaching philosophy is simple: “I like to think I bring a journalist’s mindset into the classroom -- a curiosity about the world, a love for asking questions and a real interest in people.” In addition to his teaching and newspaper responsibilities, Paddock, once a pipe organ player, has taken to raising chickens ... he assures the two are not related.

Clifton Scott

Robin Rothberg

Margaret Quinlan

Margaret Quinlan Dr. Margaret M. Quinlan is an Assistant Professor of Communication and a Core Faculty Member of the Health Psychology Ph.D. Program. She joined the Department in 2009. Her scholarly work explores the organizing of health care resources and work opportunities for people with lived differences. She has published in Text & Performance Quarterly, Health Communication, Management Communication Quarterly, Communication Teacher, Communication Research Reports, Journal of Research in Special Education Needs, The Braille Monitor, and Review of Communication. She earned her Bachelors of Science from Marist College, her Master of Science from Illinois State University, and her Doctor of Philosophy from Ohio University in 2009.

She teaches Communication Theory, Interpersonal Health Communication, Gender Health Communication, and Narratives of Health and Illness. “My goal for the courses I teach is to create an environment where we are co-learners,” she says. “In doing so, I hope to create a safe and effective environment for learning and discussing the topics that are necessary for a person to 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 world of academia, Quinlan has a Yorkshire terrier puppy, named Parker.

Robin Rothberg Lecturer Robin Rothberg earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Communications and English (double major) from Florida State University in 1999 and her Master of Arts in Journalism with a certificate in business and economics reporting from New York University in 2000. She teaches undergraduate courses in Public Relations and Journalism/Public Relations. In the classroom, she says: “My goal is to help my students understand the material,

of course, but also themselves and their responsibilities as communicators.” A little known fact about Robin Rothberg: she’s a full- fledged, lacto-vegetarian. “I haven’t eaten any meat since I was in college as a student,” she says. “My husband, meanwhile, never met a steak he didn’t like!”

Clifton Scott

After earning his Bachelor’s degree from Bradley University, his Master’s degree from Northern Illinois University and his Doctorate from Arizona State University in 1997, 2001 and 2005, respectively, Dr. Cliff Scott joined UNC Charlotte as an assistant professor, teaching classes in organizational communication, research methods, communication theory and organizational science. As a teacher, Scott says he views learning as a shared responsibility between students and instructors. “I see our time together in the classroom as an opportunity to extend and deepen what students have already learned outside the classroom through their reading and via their personal experiences,” Scott says, adding that “if you don’t like to read, don’t enjoy thinking critically and abstractly about your own everyday experiences, and prefer spoon feeding, you probably won’t enjoy my classes.”

Outside of teaching, Scott’s research on organizational communication concerns occupational safety and health, organizational socialization, high reliability organizing and work meetings. His research has been published in outlets as diverse as Management Communication Quarterly, Human Resource Management, MIT Sloan Management Review, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Communication Theory and Communication Monographs. He also serves as a consultant for local organizations through UNC Charlotte’s Organizational Science Consulting and Research Unit. In his free time, Scott says he enjoys spending time with his wife, their dog, and his growing collection of used cars.

Brandy Stamper

Cheryl Spainhour

Brandy Stamper has been the Academic Advisor for the Communication Studies Department since July 2011. She graduated in 2006 with honors from UNC Charlotte with a double- major in Psychology and Communication Studies. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte.

Ms. Stamper became an adjunct faculty member at UNC Charlotte after graduate school, but also taught classes like public speaking at local Rowan County Community College. She thoroughly enjoys her advising duties, which she describes as “helping students make well-informed decisions about their future.” In addition to advising, Brandy also teaches Business Communications and Small Group Communications. Her favorite thing about working with students? “Seeing that ‘light-bulb’ moment in a

Ashli Stokes

Dr. Ashli Q. Stokes is an assistant professor in Communication Studies Department, teaching graduate and undergraduate classes in public relations and health communication campaigns. She received her bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech University, her master’s at Wake Forest University, and worked in public relations before she began studying for her doctorate in 2004 at the University of Georgia. The majority of her research focuses on public relations and public communication, specializing in rhetorical approaches to analyzing public relations controversies. She has published in numerous journals and has authored several book chapters. She is also co-author with colleague Dr. Alan Freitag of the book Global Public Relations: Spanning Borders, Spanning Cultures. Dr. Stokes sums up her philosophy about teaching this way: She feels lucky to get to share what she loves with her students and loves watching them develop their own careers and apply the knowledge gained in our program. Outside of work, Stokes is a proud first time mom to daughter Kate. She, husband Jeff, Kate and super golden retriever Brody love to hike, walk in the neighborhood, and go on family adventures up to Lake 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.

Ashli Stokes

Cheryl Spainhour is a full-time Lecturer in the Communication Studies Department who is passionate about the journalism courses she has been teaching here since 1998. She currently teaches undergraduate courses in the Journalism minor, including Advanced News Reporting and Writing, Feature Writing, and Introduction to Journalism. She also teaches Public Speaking. She earned a Master’s degree in Speech Communications and Theatre Arts from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia. She is a 2010 recipient of B.E.S.T. Teaching Award (Building Educational Strengths and Talents) for excellence in teaching and assisting undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte. She is honored to be a founding member of the new (2010) Charlotte chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In the classroom, she aims at getting her students caught up in the world of journalism (and the current technology revolution) and encourages them to read and commit outstanding journalism. Outside of work, she happily revels in life in the country with her family, always outnumbered by a menagerie (of both wild and domestic types).

student- in both advising and teaching.” She married her high school sweetheart and they have two dogs: Pixie, a Great Dane, and Bristol, a Labrador and Chow mix.

Brandy Stamper

Cheryl Spainhour

Jillian Tullis

Adjunct Faculty

Jillian Tullis Jillian Tullis, Ph.D. (University of South Florida) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies and is known for her passionate pursuit of understanding how people communicate about dying and death. Her research agenda focuses on improving health communication and care, especially at the endof-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 Health Communication, Spirituality, Communication and Health, Communication Theory, Research Methods, and recently added Intercultural Health Communication to her repertoire. She likes to keep her classroom interactive, engaging and pragmatic. By doing so, she says that “students recognize the benefits of scholarly exploration of communication, while helping them develop communication skills that will benefit them personally and professionally.” Dr. Tullis has forth coming publications in the highly ranked journal, Health Communication and Religion and Commun ication: An Anthology of Extensions in Theory, Research, and Method (co-authored with Dr. Long). In addition to her work in the Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Tullis maintains faculty affiliations in the Gerontology Program, the Center for Professional and Applied Ethics, and Health Psychology. She is also an active member of the Mecklenburg County End of Life Care Coalition, which seeks to improve care at the end of life. And in her free time, she volunteers with Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region and enjoys being the proud owner of a 12-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix named Amber.

Paul Nowell teaches a business journalism course for the Department and works full-time in the University’s Public Relations office. “Even though my roots are firmly planted in New Jersey, I have evolved over the years into a big fan of bluegrass and Americana music.”

Brandon Kirkley teaches New Media for Comm. and Globalization and Digital Media (online). His band, Brandon Kirkley and the Firecrackers, released their new CD with a big show at Amos’ Southend on Friday, April 20th!

Bridget Long teaches Communication Research Methods.

“I love to travel - two of my favorite sights are Stonehenge and Big Ben.” Wayne Maikranz teaches the “Visual Communication in the Media” course. He advises a department that includes The Niner Times, NinerOnline.com, Radio Free Charlotte, Niner Media Marketing and Sanskrit Magazine. A 27year veteran of the University, he is intrigued with Angry Birds.

Mason Reuter, who teaches Comm 3136: Leadership, Service & Ethics, is a Charlotte native who returned to the city in 2010 after a 18-year hiatus.

Henrique Viana teaches Business Communication, Public Speaking and Applications in Organizational Communication. “I am a fascinated by owls and cannot get enough of horror movies. Yeah, I’m weird.”

Internships COMM 4410 Professional Internship

Visit the UNC Charlotte Communication Studies Department Internship website for more information. http://communications.uncc.edu

Department of Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte Ezine

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1