Communication Matters 2021 Communication Studies Department EZine UNC Charlotte

COMMUNICATION MATTERS Spring 2021 Volume 11 Issue 1

Department of Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte EZine

communication NOTES FROM THE CHAIR

Dear Communication Studies Family, I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones healthy, safe and happy.

This year’s Ezine follows a year that clearly brought a raft of challenges and obstacles to our campus, our department and our personal lives. Despite a difficult 12 months, we have much to be grateful for as we near the mid-point of 2021.

For one, here we are. We have persisted as individuals, we have excelled as a department, and we have thrived as a community. We thank our students for hanging in there and for sticking with us. We see you. We have seen your struggles and heartache, and our hearts have been open. Please know that we also see and cherish your bravery and fortitude. We commit to holding you up, now as always. I personally thank our faculty and staff for their labor – visible and invisible, material and emotional, celebrated and unsung – as they have managed their tasks with aplomb. This group of teachers and professionals came through in the breach and charged into the unknowns of pandemic teaching and advising with deftness and skill. They have demonstrated grace and poise. And, all the while, our faculty never lost a sense of our purpose: to provide quality education in communication, skills for citizenship and the tools necessary for public life. I am awed by their dedication to our students.

If I may be candid, I want to end any remarks about the pandemic on that note. We do not need to hear more about the depths we have been cast into over the past year. Instead, I choose now to focus on what is in store. In 1852 abolitionist Frederick Douglass surveyed the landscape of his movement; he looked back, he looked down, he looked forward. In a moment of inspiration, he reminded his manifold audience that, “There is hope in thought – hope is much needed – even under the dark clouds which lower above the horizon.” Indeed, the dimmest hour comes before the dawn. And, we have much to celebrate in the coming days, despite the shadows of eventide that linger. Allow me to spotlight a few wonderful things in store as we near summer and begin a new academic year.

First, when we return in fall, we will have two new faculty members joining our community. Shanice Jones-Cameron, a masters alum, arrives from UNC-Chapel Hillto teach intercultural communication and gender communication. Camille Endacott joins us from UC-Santa Barbara to contribute to our organizational communication track. We are excited to add some incredibly sophisticated minds and powerful voices to our already sturdy faculty. We hope you will enjoy reading about our new faculty in this Ezine volume.

Second, we will have a new lab! As I write, the university is working to upgrade our lab space with a new digital lectern, multi-cast projectors, simulcast technologies and digital displays. One thing that has come of the past year is a need to better serve students through classroom technologies and we are doing just that. For those in courses that require collaboration and laboratory offerings, you will soon find much to celebrate in ol’ Colvard 5041!

Third, we are offering a variety of classes in multiple formats next year. To be clear, there is still uncertainty about fall.

And to be doubly clear, as nimble as we have been and will continue being, there is no panacea when it comes to managing fall classes. But, we have done everything we can to offer courses with on-campus components, all-online components and a mix of both. This is so in all communication studies concentrations/minors and in classes from introductory all the way to upper level. We have been very intentional and have toiled endlessly to ensure that there is something in fall semester for everyone’s comfort and interest levels.

Fourth, we will arrive to a renewed commitment to Justice in the department. Over the past eight months the faculty has worked on developing a Justice Plan to improve the way we value and act from and on equity, inclusion and justice.

These ethical commitments are core to who we are as a department, one that centers citizenship, respectful communication and above all, humanity. We will be rolling out some socially responsible programming in the new academic year. We hope you will stay tuned. You can get a sense for the Justice Plan in the enclosed feature story.

Finally, we will have a new department chair – Dr. Daniel Grano – taking over in July. Dr. Grano has been at UNC Charlotte for nearly two decades and brings a wealth of experience, but more than anything, a heart of gold and a true passion for our community. We will be working on a seamless transition of leadership in early summer. Though I will miss serving as your department chair – and though this will be my last Ezine letter to you all – I am so excited for Dr. Grano’s start this summer. I hope you will join me in welcoming him this fall. In the meantime, we have presented a fun conversation piece between Dan and me in the Ezine about the change of leadership.

This special volume of the Ezine speaks to some of the past year’s highlights and the future direction of the department.

In fact, our watchwords for the edition have been hope and celebration. I hope you will enjoy the featured stories about your department presented here. And, I trust too that you will find much celebration in the accomplishments, awards, plans, happy moments and points of pride that you will access in this volume.

In the end, despite everything going on, the department’s resilience knows no bounds. Our care for each other as a community truly does shine. We have come through a tough year, but we have come through together. As we consider Douglass’s new day metaphor I mention above – and as we make that metaphor a reality in the coming academic year – we might also think about an expression that former La Raza President, Janet Marguia, was fond of incorporating into calls to action for her community in the early 2000s: “onward, outward, and upward.” We will move onward, traveling from the past to the future; that is a temporal given. But, we will also move outward from the landscapes where we have been and are; outward to new spaces and to new prospects. If we can harness the positive energies of the onward marching of time with the outward velocity of our circumstances and opportunities, we can only advance upward to new vectors, to new heights … together. So with that, I say “onward, outward, and upward,” friends. We’ve got this. And, we’ve got each other. Enjoy this year’s fantastic Ezine!

Yours in solidarity and community,

Dr. Jason Edward Black Chair, Department of Communication Studies

DEPARTMENT CHAIR Jason Edward Black EDITOR

Cheryl Spainhour

STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS Brendi Bluitt and Camille Renner DESIGNER Leigh Ann Privette

DEPARTMENT NEWS

CHAIR TO CHAIR: BLACK AND GRANO PREPARE FOR LEADERSHIP CHANGE When Drs. Jason Black and Dan Grano first met in 2001, they were graduate students, presenting their research on a panel at The Southern States Communication Association’s annual conference at the University of Kentucky. They’ve been colleagues and friends over the last two decades and ended up working in the same Department five years ago when Black was hired as the chair. This spring, the three of us talked over Zoom about Black’s five-year term as chair, which comes to a close this summer, and Grano’s term that will begin in July. They discussed leadership styles, crisis mode and visions for the Department’s future. The following is an edited version of the interview.

Cheryl Spainhour CS: Jason, while you’ve been chair, our University and world have been through some tumultuous times, particularly your last two years – the campus shooting, the worldwide pandemic. How has it impacted your vision for the Department, and what’s been the best aspects of being our chair?

JB: It's really hindered a lot of the change leadership that I'd hoped to deploy when I joined in 2016. The best part of being chair is working with our faculty and staff. That might seem like a standard answer for most department chairs, but honestly, one of the reasons I came here in the first place was knowing about 50 percent of the faculty already and knowing about their integrity and character, the hard work that they engage in, and of course talking to some of their students and graduate students at conferences, knowing how dedicated and compassionate teachers they are. So, coming in, I already knew we had a great team. I was simply joining a team that was already high caliber and stellar in so many ways. The best part for me has been not just being a part of the team as a faculty member, but of course being able to lead and help people through some of what we've experienced together externally. I don't think we would have been able to handle a lot of the difficulties, particularly some of the budget complications that have come along with, for instance, the pandemic, if we didn't have a team that believed in each other and respected each other. Everyone has bought into our solutions for getting to the problems, our folks share with each other and they care about each other, not just as faculty or colleagues but as human beings. Best part, again, is all of our team members who work together to make this workplace not just a better career place, but a home in many ways. If one third of our lives involve work, it's good to have a family and a team behind us!

JB: I'll start with the difference because I think we're similar in so many ways, which is going to make for an easy transition, a seamless transition. But one of the differences is really beyond our control and beyond our style, which is that I was an external chair being hired in, with 12 years of experience at another university, including four at the associate dean level. Dan's been here for 18 years and has a much different context and is coming from a much different space. So, that will probably guide some of the ways in which we interact with our faculty and with students. One of the things that’s been difficult for me is to keep up with the curriculum – five tracks, two minors – and getting to know people who are fresh to me and I was fresh to them in 2016. I, and this is just my perception, but I think that Dan and I are both very much human-centered people first and that's not to say we only look at comfort or consider comfort, but we really do value people for who they are, not just what they can bring to the community. So I think that human relations, which is probably about 50 percent of the job, if not more, I think we're very similar in that approach – giving people grace, giving people flexibility, working one-on-one with people, being truthful and transparent and honest with people when the time comes.

Praising, but also helping to improve or offer opportunities for those kinds of improvements. We're also very to the point and, again Dan, this is just my perception, so if I’m off, feel free to digitally slap me on this one. But I think the people centeredness, I think transparency, I think being very direct, within rhetorical responsibility and interpersonal sensibility is one of the places where we really overlap, which I think is the most important, the human relations component, to be honest.

DG: No. That has emerged, of course, since Jason decided to come back to the regular faculty. Our recruitment of him was specifically because of what I knew, what I expected, and it turned out this way would work out in terms of fit. Jason and I have known each other for our entire doctoral career to now. I knew that he had a connection to the [Charlotte] area, I knew that the personality fit, the values would be good, the timing worked out and Jason was able to come here, and so that that worked out beautifully.

DG: I agree, Jason, that they're going to be many more similarities.

What Jason referred to as a kind of human-centered approach is what I was getting at when I talked to the faculty during the interview process about well-being. For me, in teaching and my own professional approach and in my approach to others, it is a really central part of what I value in a workplace, and so there’s probably going to be a sense of continuity [in leadership]. There may be some very minor stylistic differences around what Jason is talking about like, northern Italian vs. Sicilian kind of stuff, but those will also probably be pretty similar. In addition to what Jason was talking about –things that are not directly in our control with me having been here for 18 years and Jason coming in as an external hire: The relationships are different, and so I will be meeting with and trying to help, but also trying to feel through a different form of relationship with people that I've known, in most cases, for more than 10 years, and so that will be an adjustment for me.

Then I think the other external thing to be determined is what will leadership look like if we're not in a period of crises, one on top of another like the last five years have been in because you're coming out of an economic moment that's challenging, but that is hopefully not going to define the entire term. There’s going to be places where I want to pick up the baton of change leadership that Jason started and see if we can't see it through in hopefully calmer, more stable times. And also, invoke visions of my own as we start to get opportunities to do that.

But I think as far as like-people's experience with what we value and what it's going to be like to sit with us and talk through goals and needs and things like that, that stuff will probably be pretty similar.

CS: What are some similarities and differences in your leadership styles?

CS: It’s evident as a community, our Department, and the world outside it, has been in a couple of years of crisis mode. I imagine, Jason, the

CS: Dan, you were instrumental in hiring Jason, and I was wondering if you fathomed that Jason would one day pass the torch to you?

adrenaline hasn’t stopped flowing in a position of leadership during this era. I think we're all somewhat emotionally and mentally strained. I really hope for calmer seas, Dan, but I wonder coming into the chair position under these circumstances, how you perceive dealing with some of this fallout the first six months or so at the helm?

DG: That’s one of the things that I want to get a handle on. As you know, Jason and I work together on transitioning to July, and just what we're hearing from the administration in terms of when our resources might start to get more freed up. Then I think the most immediate thing is continuing to look at workload measures that we started to look at before the pandemic. We try to make our working lives as easy as possible until some of those resources return. In some cases, there are bigger fires to attend to than others – like what the implications of the pandemic are for junior faculty, which is something that we've been continuing to work on – and that's immediate and urgent and it needs to be kept in mind. And then there are some other immediate things we can do that will have long term benefits for the Department but are sort of situated in lifting ourselves out of crisis mode. That's my intended or planned focus and I know that once I start to actually get into the details that some of this will have to change, but for now, what needs to be immediately addressed and what immediate things can we do to set a long term trajectory that's good for us.

JB: It's connected to all of this. And that is the micro details are to be determined in many ways and so Dan will adjust to that. That's part of any leadership – the granular components. I'm pretty optimistic about the next few years and if the last five years were sort of this middle zone between how things were typically done and now what's basically going to be a new typical (I don't like to use the word normal), then things are looking good. It’s sort of like what Frederick Douglass said in 1852, ‘the darkest hour is before the light of day’ so there's kind of this morning, this new day, coming out of this. We're looking at curriculum changes – we have new opportunities to extend what we had already started—and we've got workload policies to look at. Strategic planning on this campus is starting for the first time in six or seven years since the last plan, and the Research 1 status that we're seeking right now is something that's new and kind of exciting. The ways in which we do virtual learning and the opportunities for faculty to have more flexibility, students to have more flexibility in how we offer classes and take classes, including through the summertime. Tax money is higher than we thought it would be on return because there's been some leadership at the top in our state that's allowed for tax monies to come in, and it's not looking as scary. We might have an operating budget next year, and we might have travel money next year. All this to say there are a lot of positive things to look towards, and Dan, in many ways, is coming in at a time when there needs to be institutional memory. With 18 years on this campus, he understands the curriculum better, and he can better strategize as we do a larger strategic plan. He understands some of the struggles of being between an R2 and an R1and attempting to build that ethos in the university. So, my five years may be in this interesting buffer. It's definitely brighter and the things that are bright actually require someone who's been here a little bit longer. In many ways, Dan is kind of the perfect person to jump into this – there will be no learning curve of institutional memory.

CS: Jason, I know that you and Dan are friends and colleagues and you've already shared advice with him, but what are one or two things that you would pass on to him that you want him to know from your experience as chair that you think would benefit him in his coming term?

JB: First of all, balance on a professional and personal level. Leadership is very complicated in general, but when you have a large department on a very complex campus you can get lost in the weeds pretty easily, and so balancing the leadership parts with being a typical professor, being a teacher and writing on occasion and having your own personal life is so important. I've seen people burn out, I've gotten close to burn out and I've seen people thrive for multiple terms. The people who

thrive for multiple terms balance and pace. Part of that balance is also my second tip, which is to definitely organize and have your plan, but be willing to make that flexible because the seas look calm or you can look to the moon and you can look to the chart and you know that the tide's coming in at 7:20 a.m. and it's leaving out at 6:40 p.m., but it never does. The moon shifts, the waves change, the currents are all over the place, and so it's what I tell my students as well: to have a plan but be ready, not just that it's a possibility, but an inevitability, that things will change. So I think that if you can hop aboard that surfboard and ride the crests, that's the best way to do it. These would be my two tips on more of a professional personal level. On a strictly professional level, I could talk about some budget tips, I could talk about how to negotiate with deans and upper administrators, but in terms of the tips that will keep you alive and sane, those are the two.

Dee, Ruth, Dan and Anthony Grano

FACULTY ACCOLADES

CRANE AND DAVIS ANALYZE IMPACT OF TRUMP IN 2020 BOOK Drs. Jonathan Crane and Christine Davis collaborated to edit their new book, “The Personal is Political: Body Politics in a Trump World,” published in 2020. The book includes essays from a variety of people, both Trump supporters and marginalized individuals, to discuss the impact of Trump’s victory. The narratives in this book ask the reader to consider the experience of the marginalized Other, and the editors offer suggestions on how to move forward through an unprecedented time post-2016 election.

We recently spoke to them to learn more about the inspiration behind the book and how it can be applied in the current state of politics.

The morning after the presidential election in 2016, Crane, Davis and other American constituents felt motivated to do something about the grief and stress they felt. Davis recalls attending the National Communication Association annual conference around the time of the election. “There was this mass question [among scholars], ‘What can we do?’ And I remember thinking, the only thing I know how to do is tell stories.” After the conference, Davis connected with Crane and discussed her ideas and desire to tell important stories of those who would be impacted by this election. Crane adds, “We saw this project as not only a way to stand up, but also to document very early-on what Trump allowed people to say and do.”

The intention of this book was never to write a book on politics, Dr. Davis explains, rather, to study the body politic and body politics which are in fact two different terms. The body politic refers to the study of who belongs, and body politics refers to how bodies are used as political pawns. Crane and Davis have a central question throughout the book—"What does it mean to be an American?” Through the stories of marginalized individuals interwoven with the stories of Trump supporters, this book provides an opportunity for the reader to think critically about this ever-important question.

Although this book was published before the contentious 2020 presidential election, it still has relevant implications on political trauma and the tumultuous politics that can be observed today.

“Sadly,” Davis notes, “I think the book illustrates, and so does the news, that this awful violence and racism and white supremacy didn’t end with Trump.” Crane says “the book points out it was there before and continues now. In light of the events of Jan. 6, you can see the book as a form of forecasting.”

To move forward will be challenging, but Crane and Davis feel as though it is possible. So what small steps can be taken? “We’ve seen this in the department and the University, taking positive, proactive steps to increase diversity and create public spaces where we can all speak and be heard,” Crane says. “I believe in public spaces that are open to all, and we’ll continue to fight for that.” Davis adds, “All of us who care about this need to fight.

The opportunity is now.”

DAVIS AND QUINLAN STUDY HEALTH COMMUNICATION NARRATIVES THROUGH PANDEMIC Drs. Christine Davis and Margaret Quinlan are collaborating in their health communication research on an upcoming project and are also using previous work to apply to studying the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quinlan, who has researched motherhood, womanhood and health narratives, says the pandemic has exacerbated several issues, like stress and burnout, that she has previously studied. “My research really speaks to these issues in ways that I didn’t expect,” she says. Her recent book, “You’re doing it wrong! Mothering, media, and medical expertise,” focuses on health crises that mothers face. She views the pandemic as another crisis, especially for working women, parents and caregivers. “My research took an unexpected spin, and I’ve been happy to voice some of those issues,” she adds.

Davis, whose research includes death, mental health and end-of-life communication also sees her research being used in new ways during this unprecedented time. Her previous work specifically looks at hospice and palliative care teams, individuals who for a living already see some of the worst and most difficult times. Davis says she often thinks of a pediatric palliative care team chaplain that spoke with her about his role and experience in short-term crisis care. The difference, she says, in what she has researched with these teams and the pandemic is that palliative care teams are trained for short-term situations, not long-term. “This is an acute crisis traumatic situation that has been going on for a year.”

Davis and Quinlan agree that their previous research and work in the communication studies field have helped them to make sense of the current circumstances in which people are living. Recently, Quinlan was asked to give a presentation to new students on COVID-19 and she says throughout the presentation there was “health comm. term after health comm. term.” For. Davis, she says her work has direct relevance to what is happening, but it has been difficult to write about the pandemic as we are currently experiencing it. “Every traumatic event that I’ve written about, I got out of the event before I wrote about it. We’re not out of this, and I think it can be hard to reflect when you’re still experiencing it,” Davis explains.

Davis believes the power of narrative can assist in getting through this time. “I think narrative is a great therapeutic way to deal with situations like this,” she says. “Narrative helps us see that our lives are stories and when we look back, this is one more thing that we will have gotten through.”

Quinlan also speaks to the historical context of this moment, “A lot of my research has looked at historical accounts of parenting, and I’ve been thinking that people will be writing about pandemic parenting. We’re a part of history, and everything we do will affect the future.”

Davis and Quinlan have been inspired to collaborate and take an arts-based approach in an upcoming paper which will discuss their personal experiences through the pandemic and will incorporate poetry and metaphor in their narratives.

GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH

GRADUATE STUDENT - DAVIANA FRASER Daviana Fraser is a second-year graduate student and Jacksonville, N.C. native who is conducting her capstone project by analyzing two powerful social justice movements. Her project is titled “Black Power and Black Lives Matter: A Comparative Analysis.” She will attend the University of Maryland for her doctoral work and plans to remain in academia.

What is the title of your research project and what inspired you to conduct this research?

This topic has been inspired by the continued injustices against the Black community and the ways that we have consistently and inventively resisted. My interest began as an ideographic analysis in fall, 2019, and grew into something much larger. I was drawn to the relationship between these movements by the cultural significance stored in the two Black-centric expressions that came from them: Black Power and Black Lives Matter. I have grown to realize and appreciate the decisions made by organizers in each respective time period whether in strategic messaging, organizational structure or constructing a collective Black identity.

What is your goal with your research?

My goal is to tell Black stories and to offer those outside of the community opportunities to learn about and from these experiences. The objective of my thesis is to shine a light on the progress we have made against white supremacy and the work that remains to be done. In comparing Black Power and Black Lives Matter, I have accepted the challenge of looking at two movements that have constructively and justifiably used Black anger and frustration and received criticism for doing so. In this research, I hope to highlight the power of naming Blackness within an antiracist movement and using it as an antidote against white supremacy.

Fraser is conducting her research under the supervision of her advisor Dr. Richard Leeman. “Daviana's research represents the best kind of rhetorical analysis, in that her work bridges the present with the past, recognizing that the present is inevitably a rhetorical ‘echo’ of — repeating, morphing and rejecting — earlier discourses. More than that, by locating the #BlackLivesMatter movement within the rhetorical context of mainstream civil rights discourse and that of the Black Power movement, her work carries the potential to positively impact the future.”

How does it feel to conduct your research in this moment in history with racial injustice and the new social movement?

I have a mixture of emotions toward the work that I do and its place within our current climate. The oppressive structures that we see today have endured centuries of moments like this.

There are generations of Black women who came before me and did the work, yet here I am. At this moment, I feel that we have chipped away at one more layer of injustice and that is a small win, but a win nonetheless. Though many layers remain, I take pride and find joy in being a part of something much larger than myself and this moment.

Anything else you would like to add?

This research feels extremely personal and vulnerable—that is its power. The support I have received from this faculty in this process has been immeasurable and I am grateful. This research has helped me find and appreciate my voice as a Black woman in academia. While little feels new about the struggle against anti-Blackness, I also use this research as an opportunity to record the present, honor the past and leave breadcrumbs for the future.

GRADUATE STUDENT - MARK MANNING Mark Manning is a second-year graduate student and Charlotte native who is conducting his capstone project on social justice and change within rhetoric. His project is titled “The Visual Rhetoric of the Black Lives Matter Movement in Charlotte, NC.” He plans to pursue his doctorate at the University of Georgia and hopes to one day return to teach at UNC Charlotte.

What inspired you to conduct this research?

I’ve always been drawn to the visual form, and having grown up in Charlotte, I’ve seen the city change in ways I could never have dreamed of. The collaboration between the City of Charlotte and some local activist groups (BLMOFCLT, BrandTheMoth, KidzFedUp) is certainly unprecedented in my lifetime, and I wanted to use my privileged platform to share the stories of those who are fighting for equity, equality and justice.

What is your goal with your research?

My goal is to explore the ways that the BLM movement has used visual rhetoric to advocate for the movement’s messages and goals, gain movement support and share lived experiences through art. I simply want to highlight the voices that have made an impact on my community and celebrate the artistic creativity and expression that we’ve seen over the past year in Charlotte.

How does it feel to conduct your research in this moment in history with racial injustice and the new social movement?

I feel like it’s my responsibility to use what I’ve learned during my time at UNC Charlotte to advocate for a cause that I feel has been ignored and/or misunderstood for far too long.

While I would certainly never try to speak for the movement itself or give my editorial comments on the situation, I do think it’s my duty to amplify and echo those voices of the people in the community doing the work that needs to be done.

Anything else you would like to add?

This project has allowed me to learn more about the city I’ve grown up in than ever before and speak with people of all backgrounds and hear their experiences. I feel truly blessed to be in the position I am in during this moment in history. I hope to continue to be an advocate and ally for those social movement groups who are fighting the good fight.

Mark Manning is conducting this research under the direction of his advisor and Department Chair Dr. Jason Black. “Mark is engaging in a unique study of visual rhetoric within contemporary Black liberation movements. The thesis is distinctive because it attends to institutionally-sanctioned murals and graffiti, something that's become ubiquitous among metropolitan leaders in the wake of the racial and justice-based reckoning in America during the summer of 2020. His layering of visual theory and Black liberation case studies over the Charlotte murals and graffiti is sophisticated, and I can see his project being moved into a journal article or two as Mark prepares for his doctoral study and beyond!”

CONCENTRATION

ORGANIZATIONAL SCIENCE DOCTORAL PROGRAM As a field, Organizational Science’s goal is, simply put, to research and implement ways to improve organizations. Dr. Loril Gossett, one of UNC Charlotte’s OS doctoral program’s faculty members, describes the field as interdisciplinary, using knowledge from communication studies, psychology, sociology and business studies to find solutions to problems organizations face. “It brings together people interested in understanding how and why people engage in collective effort to accomplish a common task or goal,” she said. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, the program attracts candidates of diverse academic backgrounds. “Our OS program would be for students interested in understanding organizational issues from a variety of perspectives,” she said.

“It is a research-focused program, so students will get the chance to study a variety of organizations and work on several different research projects while completing their degree. OS forces students to get outside their comfort zones and learn about theories/methods used in a variety of disciplines,” she added. “Students need to be willing to think broadly about issues and consider multiple perspectives.”

smaller college towns don’t necessarily afford. Scott believes this is one of the reasons the University’s OS program produces more graduates that venture into the professional world with their degree. Partnering with local corporations, OS students and faculty conduct real-world research and act as consultants to help organizations solve their internal problems. “In a vibrant business community, it’s a lot easier for us to have students who develop ties with people in the industry and mentorship from people in the industry,” he said.

By the end of the five-six-year long program (usually shorter for students who have already earned a master’s degree), doctoral candidates conduct multiple research projects, take courses and consult for businesses in the area before defending their dissertation at the end of their time in the program. For undergraduate students interested in the OS doctoral program, Scott suggests assisting professors with research in order to get research experience. Gossett advises perspective applicants to reach out to current OS candidates for insight on the program.

The OS program is made up of faculty from four different departments: Communication Studies, Psychological Science, Sociology and Management. “We work together to study a variety of organizational issues,” Gossett said, “blending our different disciplinary perspectives to gain additional insight and new ideas.”

Of the 25 current doctoral candidates enrolled in the program, some, like Karoline Summerville, plan to continue working in the academic realm -- becoming researchers and professors, crucial roles in the organizational communication field. UNC Charlotte’s program differs from other universities where most graduates will continue into these higher education roles, by giving its candidates the experience, education and resources necessary to land them in an industry job, working for human resources in managerial, analytical or consultant roles. Dr. Cliff Scott, also a program faculty member, describes the unique nature of the University’s OS program. “We train doctoral students to study organizations with qualitative data and with quantitative data,” he said. “Most Ph.D programs do one or the other, but not both. This makes our graduates who are interested in going into the industry uniquely qualified for jobs.” Recent alumni have landed lucrative positions using their OS knowledge and skills with large corporations such as Duke Energy, Atrium Health and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The metropolitan area provides many opportunities for students to grow professionally, as well as academically, that

Here is a link to the OS Alumni Page for more information about what graduates are doing in the field: https://orgscience.uncc.edu/people/alumni

student spotlight Karoline Summerville Q. What was your undergrad degree in and where did you get your undergrad degree from I majored in Communication and earned my B.A. at Queens University of Charlotte.

Q. Why did you choose to study Organizational Science at UNC Charlotte?

After my undergrad, I continued my studies in Communication and earned a master’s degree in the field at Wake Forest University. During my time at Wake Forest, I cultivated a deep interest in topics like race, cultural studies and leadership. For my master’s thesis, I analyzed former President Barack Obama's rhetoric to understand how Obama navigated his biracial identity in his speeches as a political leader in the United States - a multiracial, multicultural context.

Organizational Science, and in particular, the interdisciplinary nature of the program at UNC Charlotte, allows me to continue exploring my interests in race, culture and leadership

in the contexts of organizations. As a younger scholar, I was afraid that there would be very little overlap in my interests and Organizational Science, but as globalization increases and with the recent pandemic and uprising of social movements such as #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo and anti-racism, it is clearer now, perhaps more than ever, that there is a need for organizational scientists who are working to figure out ways organizations can better support all people, particularly those with historically marginalized identities. I hope to be able to make contributions to the field that ultimately enable leaders and organizations to create a more inclusive workplace experience for employees.

might be able to add valuable knowledge in how messages are communicated effectively in organizations. Communication scholars can also contribute to the role of language and discourse in organizations. For instance, how might a leader's rhetoric affect the extent to which they can gain buy-in from employees? Another fruitful area for a communication scholar interested in the organizational science field could also be interpersonal communication within organizations to understand how employees build positive (or negative) relationships with one another and how this affects job performance, satisfaction and other work outcomes. The possibilities are endless!

Q. Have you enjoyed your experience thus far in the program?

If so, what do you like about it?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience so far in the program! Of course, obtaining a doctorate degree takes hard work, self-discipline and dedication, and there are days when you have to tackle difficult questions and stretch yourself. With that said, my experience in the program has been transformative and I have grown as a person and scholar in so many ways. I love that we are able to take courses across disciplines and gain exposure to various academic perspectives. For example, I have taken courses on social theory, the dark side of organizational communication and have even been able to enroll in data science courses to gain exposure to skills such as python and natural language processing. I have also been able to teach a variety of courses including Business Communication, Management and Organizational Behavior and the Psychology of Motivation.

Q. Would you recommend the program to someone interested in Organization Science?

Absolutely. This program has allowed me to explore my interests and develop skills through hands-on research experiences with a variety of professors. I have also been able to network with and learn from numerous people in the field both in industry and academia. These connections have enabled me to broaden my understanding of various aspects of the field and learn how I can add value as an organizational scientist across a variety of different types of organizations.

For example, I have been able to gain consulting experience through a Volunteer Assessment program led by Dr. Rogelberg, where we work with nonprofit organizations to provide recommendations aimed toward helping them improve their volunteer programs. In general, the OS program is a 'candy land' of opportunities that enables students plenty of room for self-exploration while also gaining critical skills that can be used to help organizations in the real world.

On a more personal note, what I love most about the program is the community and the support I have gained from my peers, faculty members and practitioners who I have developed relationships with. At the beginning of each semester (except for during COVID), our director, Dr. Steven Rogelberg, hosts a gathering with all of the students from the program. During my first time attending this event, I was able to connect with my cohort as well as students who were further along in the program and gain advice about how to be successful from the very beginning. I also appreciate that although our program is full of people who are super intelligent and overwhelmingly competent, we also do not take ourselves too seriously. I have yet to make it through a student meeting where I didn't bust out laughing at a joke - even if I was not in the mood to laugh that day. I think a sense of community and support is crucial for any graduate student and I am so thankful that is not lacking in the OS program here at UNC Charlotte. I've also been able to find mentors at annual conferences like the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the Academy of Management.

Q. How does someone coming from a background in Communication Studies help the organizational science field?

There are a plethora of opportunities for someone in communication studies to apply their skills and knowledge to the organizational science field. From a skills standpoint, during my communication courses at Queens, there were several times where I was engaging in qualitative research without even realizing it. For instance, I had numerous experiences where I conducted, recorded and transcribed interviews in order to find the deeper story that needed to be told. Research is all about gathering data and telling the story behind the data. Communication scholars are trained to be storytellers!

From a knowledge area standpoint, communication is integral to organizations. It really just depends on what your particular interests are. For instance, as a communication scholar, one

Q. What are you doing your dissertation on?

I am examining how the intersection of race and gender affect feelings of authenticity at work. Often, we hear slogans like ‘just be yourself’ or 'bring your whole self to work' but what authenticity looks like for different people is unclear. Also, when people have multiple intersecting identities, it is possible that a person's authentic self consists of multiple selves. Given that race and gender are primary sources of inequality in organizations, it may be the case that individuals with racially marginalized identities feel less comfortable being authentic at work or may fear that their authentic selves are not truly embraced in the workplace. Thus, I hope to shed light on the complex nature of authenticity at work, with a particular focus on how race and gender may intersect to create a unique experience of (in)authenticity in the workplace.

Q. What are your plans and/or goals after you graduate?

Students who graduate from the Organizational Science program typically land positions in both practice and academia. I hope to find an academic position that allows me to share the knowledge and skills I have gained during my time in the program with students who will become future employees and leaders in organizations. Additionally, it is a goal of mine to continue conducting research and developing knowledge around ways organizations can effectively increase diversity within their organizations and beyond that, develop organizational environments where employees from all identity backgrounds feel included. One of my mentors once told me, 'When thinking about future goals, do not think about the position you want, but the type of work you hope to do.' I always keep this advice in mind when thinking about my future plans or goals. Most simplistically, I hope to continue doing work that is meaningful and contributes not only to conversations about ways to improve the experiences of diverse individuals in the workplace, but also help organizations translate recommendations gained from research into practice within organizations.

SHAWN LONG FOUNDATION & JUSTICE PLAN

DEPARTMENT JUSTICE PLAN ADVOCATES FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION “Members of the Communication Studies Department, motivated by last summer’s push to participate in the movement towards racial justice, have been working for months to develop a Justice Plan to prioritize efforts towards inclusion, equity and justice. Through efforts such as diversity training and creating more inclusive spaces, the plan, passed by faculty in their March meeting, will create a lasting impact for students and faculty. Lecturer Henrique Viana, who serves as the Department’s Diversity Liaison to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, has been helping to develop the plan, which was initiated in 2020 by Dr. Jason Black, the Department’s chair. “As a department leader I'm proud of where we're going,” Black says. “As a professor who writes and teaches about social change, I'm energized. As an accomplice-advocate myself, I'm ready to go! All of this to say that the Justice Plan is about to roll out in material ways to ensure that equity and justice are not just valued, but are central values in our department. I'm so very proud of Henrique and all his labor and efforts,” he added. “I'm awed by the way he communicates with clarity and sensitivity and I'm inspired by the way he deftly anticipates the granular parts of the Justice Plan and thinks creatively about making it a reality.”

Below is an edited interview with Viana.

How did the process of creating this plan begin?

As a result of last year’s push against the continuous and appalling police brutality toward the Black community and the enlightenment of the BLM movement, we felt the need to put out a statement demonstrating our support for our community, our Black students, and all other minorities who at some point, felt oppressed and/or prejudiced. We wanted to remind our students, faculty, staff and colleagues that we stand on their side against and condemn any form of racism, bigotry or social injustices.

What’s next now that the faculty has passed the plan?

I am now in the process of establishing the department’s Inclusivity, Equity & Justice Committee. This committee will look into our policies and by-laws, provide resources for students, faculty and staff, ensure proper diversity training and opportunities for learning and ultimately provide accountability regarding our best practices, hiring policies and efforts to be an inclusive and equitable place where no bigotry, prejudice, racism or injustice of any form is part of our culture.

As the Diversity Liaison, how does this plan connect to the College?

We have been working hand in hand to ensure our plans remain consistent with one another. In fact, I have also been working in a separate CLAS race and social justice initiative – my subcommittee focusing on anti-racist workplace - that used our plan as a starting point. The main part of the job is to connect with other DDL’s from different departments and help each other with sharing efforts and innovative projects to support students, faculty and staff. Furthermore, ultimately allowing the Dean to create a system that understands the

importance and prioritizes the development of a diverse environment, where everyone is treated with respect and has opportunities to perform to the best of their ability.

What aspect of the plan are you most excited about?

Because I also teach a course on intercultural communication, what most excites me is connecting people despite their various differences or similarities. I thrive on improving dialogue, allowing folks to learn from one another, understand others’ experiences and become aware of their own biases. A plan like this provides the blueprint to establish a department/college/place of work/classroom where you become more willing to sympathize with issues that may not be as personal to you, teaching people to become advocates for all humans, as it always should be. Mostly, to me personally, it provides everyone a chance to be happy with where and who they are, feel encouraged to do their best without fear of judgment and send a message that our department has zero tolerance for injustices and displays of prejudice in any form or preferential treatment. We welcome all, we seek to make students better communicators, more critical of messages they receive, more persuasive and finally, more culturally and interculturally competent to apply values of justice, equity and inclusion into their daily, personal and professional lives.

The Shawn Long Center for Equity, Access, and Belonging Core Initiatives: 1. The Multicultural Doctoral Summer Teaching Fellowship Program. The purpose of the program is to support the early development of scholars who show promise of building distinguished academic careers and who are from historically underrepresented groups. Pre-doctoral Summer Fellows are provided training and support to develop and teach their own five-week summer course in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (http://clas.uncc.edu/academics). There are significant mentoring and professional development opportunities involved with this fellowship. This is a residential summer fellowship.

2. The Organizational Science Summer Institute (OSSI) is an annual, week-long graduate school preparatory program for members of populations who are underrepresented in graduate school and fields of organizational science. OSSI’s mission is to help diversify the pipeline for graduate school students and professionals working in organizational-related fields. The focus is on students interested in applying to graduate school and studying organizations using perspectives from psychology, sociology, communication studies, or management.

SHAWN LONG CENTER CREATED TO HELP UNDERREPRESENTED GRADUATE STUDENTS Dr. Jason Black, Dr. Ashli Stokes and Dr. Steven Rogelberg started working diligently to go beyond memorializing Dr. Shawn Long, following his death in January.

“We are creating in our College ‘The Shawn Long Center for Equity, Access, and Belonging’ to develop the careers of underrepresented doctoral students from institutions across the United States,” Stokes says.

The plan is to build an endowment to support emergent initiatives aligned with Long’s values and vision, Stokes says, but the two core initiatives are The Multicultural Doctoral Summer Teaching Fellowship Program and The Organizational Science Summer Institute. [See shaded box for details.]

“Everyone linked to our Department, the College and beyond knows that Shawn was an excellent leader: creative, organized, ambitious, encouraging, but human,” Stokes says. “He encouraged me to seek leadership roles and I’m so glad he saw something in me in that capacity. I am happy to help honor his legacy.”

Says Black: “Shawn was passionate about many things in his professional and public life, but none more than his support of graduate students, his acuity for mentoring and his dedication to underrepresented students and equity. His approach to academic and community service in these veins was invitational – he wished for people to feel listened to and valued. Shawn inspired others to be empowered in their professional and public spaces. The value of belonging, thus, was central to Shawn's character and his desire to make the world a better, more just place. One way we remember Shawn is by honoring his passions. The Center energizes his legacy into material change on our campus and beyond. We can think of no finer way to ensure Shawn's work and heart live on than through a Center anchored to belonging. We will miss our friend, colleague and mentor dearly. And, we will treasure him by doing good work through the Center in the short-term and long-term.”

Added Stokes, “We encourage alumni and friends interested in learning more about the Center to please reach out to us, as it is still in the development phase. We’d love your support in honoring Shawn's legacy!”

HONORS & FORENSICS PROGRAMS

THIRD ANNUAL CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEECHWAY CONTESTANTS COMPETE VIRTUALLY UNC Charlotte’s Forensics team geared up to host the 3rd annual Charlotte Motor Speechway Tournament on Jan. 23, although this year’s tournament was conducted virtually, with Dr. Nance Riffe, the Department’s Director of Forensics at the wheel.

Riffe’s role as president of the American Forensic Association (AFA) proved invaluable when it became evident the Speechway would have to be held virtually. “We had to restructure the whole organization to accommodate for online competition,” Riffe said of her work with the AFA. “We met way more frequently than in the past trying to make the competition experience as close to the in-person experience as possible.” Due to Riffe’s diligent planning, collaboration with her colleagues and assistance from graduate students Shannon McGevna and Mark Manning, the competition was a success.

Seven schools participated in the two-day event, including The University of Alabama, Seton Hall University, The University of Central Florida, The College of Central Florida, Cornell University, St. Joseph's University and UNC Charlotte. While the University of Alabama team placed first, UNC C students also performed well.

Riffe was especially impressed with sophomore Aamyria Lattimore.

This was her first forensics tournament, and she navigated the online forum with a great attitude and ranked well in the competition.

“The judges were looking for a strong speaker that could easily flow from point to point within their topic question,” Lattimore said of what contestants are evaluated on. Of the two extemporaneous speaking rounds she competed in, Lattimore placed second and fourth out of six participants. “I am satisfied with my results,” she said, “and have every intention to continue through my college career.”

AFA NATIONAL SPEECH COMPETITION DEEMED A SUCCESS The American Forensic Association (AFA) held its annual National Speech Competition April 2-5. AFA President Dr. Nance Riffe said, “We were a little nervous going in because it was the first time it was virtual, but the tournament last weekend was very much a success!

Our Department was mentioned in front of the entire tournament staff because so many of our professors judged the tournament, including Dr. Black, Melody Dixon-Brown, Min Jiang and Erin Basinger, as well as grad students Shannon McGevna and Mark Manning.

Of the 20 teams competing, Western Kentucky University placed first in the Team Sweepstakes, followed by the University of Texas at Austin. In the individual rankings, the University of Alabama’s Anna Kutbay placed first. UNC Charlotte student Lily Drake qualified for the AFA-NST earlier this year in Extemporaneous Speaking, Riffe said, noting it's a pretty hard qualifying process. “She represented us beautifully at nationals!”

HONORS THESIS IMANI GILL

OLIVIA LAWLESS Olivia Lawless' honors thesis abstract was accepted at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research. She is "investigating the role of the pandemic on social media engagement and advocacy in the Black Lives Matter movement. On a larger scale, she is examining an example of a hybrid firestorm in which two events of great magnitude collide. She is using the circuit of culture as her framework for this qualitative project." Her faculty advisor is Dr. Tiffany Gallicano.

GINA RICHARDS For her Honor’s thesis, Imani Gill researched the ways in which Black women are represented, specifically focusing on Black women entrepreneurs. Imani looked at the portrayal of the main characters in the shows “Scandal,” starring Kerry Washington, and “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker,” starring Octavia Spencer.

Imani’s inspiration for this thesis topic came from learning about “redlining” (the refusal of financial assistance due to living in an area deemed to be a financial risk) and its disproportional effects on the Black community. She was interested in exploring other ways Black communities are hurt by the actions of capitalism, an economic model which, she believes, has continued to perpetuate the oppression of Black Women in entrepreneurship. Imani’s faculty advisor is Dr. Min Jiang.

Honors student Gina Richards conducted her thesis research on how working mothers view work/life balance while teleworking. The motivation behind this thesis topic came from the growth in teleworking, or working remotely from your computer at home, that was a direct result of safety precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the rise in teleworking, which Richards believes will continue to be prevalent after the pandemic, she thinks it is important to study and understand how working mothers’ work/life balance has changed since working from home. Her faculty advisor is Dr. Brandy Stamper.

Imani Gill, Gina Richards and Olivia Lawless are defending their theses this spring, says Dr. Min Jiang, the interim Department’s Honors Director. Timberly Southerland completed the Honors program and graduated in fall, 2020. Her advisor was Dr. Nance Riffe. Meredith Rodden [one of this year’s recipients of the Department’s Bahakel Scholarship] is currently working on her thesis proposal and plans to graduate in the fall, 2021. Amore' McCullough enrolled this spring in the Honors Program.

LPE INDUCTEES & SCHOLARSHIPS

LAMBDA PI ETA HONOR SOCIETY 2020-2021 Nu Lambda Chapter Inductees

FALL 2020 Derrin Burke Alexandra Law Johanie Payer Alyssa Jones Alex Cauthren

Hannah Bradey Liah Harris Jasmine Moore Brianna Dreyer Kyra Frye

SPRING 2021 Rylan Ballou Austin Tyler Whitley Peyton Biester Kaide Haywood

Victoria Torres Mitch Hackney Allison Cales Mary Baer

Advisor: Tim Horne

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Brycie Baber Scholarship Evelyn Espinoza & Tony "Dylan" Willox Joe S. Epley Scholarship Lauren Shifflet Cy N. Bahakel Scholarship Sarah Fox & Meredith Rodden

Evelyn Espinoza

Tony "Dylan" Willox

Sarah Fox

Lauren Shifflet

Meredith Rodden

NCA, SSCA & PRSSA CHAPTER

NATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER 2020 CONVENTION GOES VIRTUAL TThe 106th annual National Communication Association (NCA) convention looked quite different, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The convention, originally planned to be held in Indianapolis, was moved online and included synchronous and asynchronous presentations. The convention, with the theme, “Communication at the Crossroads,” was held Nov. 19-22. Communication scholars across the country tuned in. The Department was well-represented: Dr. Erin Basinger and Dr. Stephanie Norander gave presentations and Dr. Dean Kruckeberg co-chaired a roundtable discussion. Dr. Ashli Stokes served on the SSCA Executive Council.

Current and former graduate students also gave presentations at the NCA conference. Second-year student Karly Bynum gave two presentations titled, “Generic Criticism of YouTuber Apologia” and “Pentadic Criticism of Partisan Media Discourse on Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings.” Former graduate student Haley Hartsell also presented her research she co-authored with Basinger titled, “Communal Coping and Self-Care in Black/African-American and White Individuals Living with Type 2 Diabetes.” Additionally, former graduate student and current UNC Ph.D. candidate [and new Department Lecturer] Shanice Jones Cameron presented research on the objectification of self and blackness.

Karly Bynum

SSCA CONVENTION MEETS VIRTUALLY, HONORS SHAWN LONG “Harboring Hope” was the theme of Southern States Communication Association Virtual Convention, held April 5-9. The convention included a scholar tribute in memory of Dr. Shawn D. Long.

Dr. Dean Kruckeberg participated in two presentations: “Smoother Sailing with Pedagogical Innovation in Public Relations” and “Problems and Best Practices for Future of PR Education.”

Dr. Dan Grano and Dr. Ashli Stokes both served as panelists for the program, Remembering Shawn Long.”

Several UNC Charlotte graduate students also presented at this year’s SSCA.

Stokes also presented in the following programs: “Metaphor in the Time of Coronavirus” as a panelist, and she presented a paper titled: "Coping Through Cooking: Enacting Cae During a Pandemic”; she served as a moderator for “International Harbors in Undergraduate Education: Studying Abroad and Moving Beyond Campus”; and was a panelist for “Remembering Feminism: Public Memory, Media, and the Second Wave.”

Second-year student Karly Bynum presented a paper titled "#EndPeriodPoverty: A Criticism of Values in the Philanthropic Rhetoric of Always". She also presented a co-authored paper with Dr. Christine Davis titled "Finding Mary: Mythic Representations of Female Identity in Ireland’s Magdalen Laundries" for Davis' panel, "Grievability, Indifference, and Transgressive Deaths."

Dr. Christine Davis chaired the program, "Grievability, Indifference, and Transgressive Deaths," and presented the paper, "Finding Mary: Mythic Representations of Displaced Bodies and Transgressive Deaths in Ireland’s Magdalen Laundries." Dr. Jon Crane also presented a paper for this panel.

Second-year student Mark Manning presented a paper titled "Wendy’s Twitter: Fresh, Never Frozen Legitimacy,” which was presented during SSCA's PR Division panel, "Corporations and Campaigns: Reputational Strategies in Public Relations," for which he won Top Student Paper for the PR Division.

PRSSA CHAPTER WEATHERS THE PANDEMIC PRSSA President LeeAnn Wentling is serving this spring as the only officer for the UNC Charlotte Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. “It has been a very unusual year,” she noted. “Due to COVID-19, all of our meetings have occurred virtually on every other Tuesday. They have had an interest meeting, a Linkedin presentation from the University’s Career Center, a “What-to-Wear or Not Wear Job Interview edition,” a social media presentation and a program on tips on how to network. The PRSSA final spring meeting will be devoted to the election of officers for the fall.” Being an officer, she says, is “a great opportunity for anyone looking to build their resume, make connections and gain experience.”

LeeAnn Wentling

Lanese Dell received this year's Outstanding Journalism Student Award

ALUMNI NEWS

TAYLOR WRIGHT: JOB HUNT PAYOFF IN A PANDEMIC

By Shreya Ganagaram Taylor Wright (’20) found her dream career amidst a world-wide pandemic and a sea of pending decisions, but her job hunt was anything but dreamy.

Born and raised in Hendersonville, outside Asheville, in the western part of North Carolina, Wright’s close knit family helped aid her in choosing a college. She applied to every college in a two-three hour radius of home.

She ended up choosing Clemson University her first semester of college, but didn't feel at home there. So, in 2016, at the end of her fall semester, Wright transferred to The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. “It's been a pivotal decision for me,” she said, adding, “best decision I’ve ever made!” She chose to major in Communication Studies (public relations concentration) and double minor in Journalism and Women and Gender Studies.

Last March, just months before graduating, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country and university life as we knew it. Wright left her on-campus housing and moved back to the mountains for the foreseeable future. It turned into a five-month stay. Although the situation wasn’t ideal, she had the opportunity to spend more time with her family. Wright started a tradition where her brother, the other grandchildren and she would hop on a Zoom call every Wednesday to talk with their grandparents.

just clicked. The whole process flew by, and within days I had an offer.”

In August, 2020, she moved back to Charlotte to accept the job as an Assistant Account Executive, and three months later was promoted to an Account Executive position. Since accepting the offer at Rein Communications, Wright has loved every day of working with Peternel.

She smiles, her eyes brightening, while explaining the work culture of Rein Communications: casual and creative, but most importantly, empowering.

Wright lives in the NoDa community, and still has family close by. She laughed a little, as she talked about how close she is – literally -- with her brother. “He's three years older than me and he lives a block away from me, so I see him all the time,” she said. “And I force him to go get coffee with me. Being neighbors is a blessing.”

When asked about her future, she smiles even wider. For a woman who persevered and found a dream career amidst a pandemic despite the setbacks, she believes the possibilities are endless.

(This is an excerpt from Shreya Gangaram’s profile of Taylor from an assignment in her journalism feature writing course with Cheryl Spainhour.)

While a student at UNC Charlotte, Wright was active on campus and a leader in her sorority, Chi Omega. “[The sisters of Chi Omega] not only respected her as president but as a great friend as well,” said one of her sorority sisters, Janeesha Patel. Wright also held various internships and built an admirable resume that aided her in her search for a full-time job.

Although extracurricular activities were important to Wright, her academics were just as important. Matthew French, a Career Coach for Arts, Media & Design students at the Career Center, took note. “She knew the direction she wanted to go, she had already done research on roles she wanted to apply for and her drive was clearly visible from the start,” he said. French and Wright still have a close professional relationship. “I just don't think that I would have ended up where I did for internships or even being set up the way I was for my job if I wouldn't have had his help,” she said.

Although French supported Wright’s job search, the process was difficult.

Wright applied for jobs right before the pandemic began, which ended up hindering her. She went through many interviews and awaited many responses. Days turned into weeks, which turned into months, and she still hadn’t found a job. Although there were a few companies interested in hiring Wright, the feeling wasn’t mutual. Taylor was very particular when it came to the job hunt and didn’t want to settle for anything less than optimal. However, Wright wasn’t as worried as some graduates.

Although she still hadn’t found a job, she remained confident. She only worried that companies were not actively recruiting to the extent that they normally would have been during a non-pandemic year.

Then along came Nicole Peternel, Rein Communications’ CEO and strategist, who reached out to Wright about a job opportunity. “We exchanged emails,” Wright said. “I sent over my resume and portfolio and interviewed via Zoom with her and co-founder Britt Conway … We

Taylor Wright Photo courtesy of Laura Thompkins, Laurel Belle Photography

What’s your advice for finding a job after graduating?

Be persistent and don’t give up. I definitely had my fair share of days where I was fed up with rejections and not hearing back from employers.

Sometimes I took a couple days off and didn’t look at any applications.

Then, after some reflection and edits to my resumes, I would jump back to it. I think it’s really important to not get discouraged and don’t settle.

I let my curiosity and my interests guide me. I think that’s how you find a job that you’re really, truly interested in. For me, feeling fulfilled or inspired is what motivates me to work hard. So, whether that’s working for a nonprofit you admire or doing communications for a company that you’re really passionate about, I think finding something that excites you is what’s going to make you feel fulfilled day in and day out. It could also mean finding an inspirational group of people to work with or an environment that challenges you.

JASON JORDAN JOINS SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Jason Jordan (‘04) accepted a job in January, 2020, with Sports Illustrated as the Director of College Basketball Recruiting. The 12-year basketball sports reporting veteran is leading SI’s All-American’s basketball recruiting coverage – and loving it. After graduating from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies degree (Mass Media concentration) and a minor in Journalism, Jordan began his sports journalism career as an intern at ESPN Magazine, and in 2008, was hired as the basketball editor. In 2012, he was offered a job as a senior writer covering recruiting at USA Today Sports. In a press release when SI hired him, Ryan Hunt, SI’s co-editor-in-chief , said “Jason has a good eye for talent and does a tremendous job of creating original content in what can be a cookie cutter world. Jason’s ability to form bonds with recruits and their families brings a unique view into the recruitment of the nation’s college basketball prospects and is a superb addition to SI All-American.” Jason, his wife and their three daughters reside in Raleigh.

Samantha Falabella Knight

ALUMNA RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS PRSA AWARD In 2020, the Charlotte board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America named Samantha Falabella Knight (’14) the New Pro Award winner as part of the Queen City PR Awards. The New Pro Award honors an up-and-coming PR practitioner who exemplifies strong professional capabilities, leadership qualities, service to the public relations community and a respected character.

Because of the pandemic, PRSA Charlotte hosted a drive-thru Queen City PR Awards ceremony on Nov. 14. Winners lined up in their cars and began a processional with each person driving up to receive their trophy and posing for pictures. “It is an honor to receive this award,” she said, “and I am proud to be a member of an organization that takes pride in providing lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance our knowledge at every stage of our career.

The University Career Center is amazing; their helpful staff and diverse programming can give you direction on your career path, applications and interviewing skills. Networking is really important too; it can get you through doors that you probably wouldn’t have opened otherwise. One thing I did was conduct informational interviews with people that have jobs I’m interested in or work for cool companies. I’d find them on LinkedIn and send them a message asking for 10-15 minutes of their time. I asked them questions about what they do in their current role, how they got where they are, what they enjoy about their career and more. You can always learn from someone else’s experiences. A lot of people say, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” however even if you know all the right people, if you don’t have the skill set to perform well, the door may not open for you. Sharpen your skills - whether you want to do copywriting, content creation, public relations or any other work. Always learn and grow!"

“Being a member of PRSA Charlotte means a lot to me and has been a very important part of my professional development since 2012. As a public relations student, I was very involved with the UNC Charlotte PRSSA and served as the treasurer from 2012 to 2014. I have had several roles as a volunteer with PRSA Charlotte, including assisting during monthly meetings and luncheons and helping members and keynote speakers during the Southeast District Conference Currently, I serve as a mentor to students at UNC Charlotte and a member of the PRSA Charlotte New Professionals Committee. She also serves on the leadership board for University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Young Alumni Board of Directors, chairs the Southeast Advisory Team and is a member of the Executive Committee for the Charlotte sector of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Samantha graduated cum laude with a concentration in Public Relations. While a student, she interned at BAE Systems, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company. Through her internship, and with the help of Valerie Udeh, Director of Communications at BAE Systems, Inc., she had the opportunity to go to work for The Cardea Group, a leadership, communications and business consultancy founded by Linda P. Hudson and led by Mary C. Dowd. She is the Director of Strategy and Communications. “I am inspired by the powerful women who have led me to various successes in my career, including this prestigious award, and I am thankful for their commitment to helping women succeed in traditionally male-dominated careers and industries.”

EYE ON ALUMNI

BOOKER’S STUDIES GIVE WING TO SELF-EMPLOYED SPIRIT Elizabeth “Beth” Booker ’16, a Pittsburgh native, attended Florida Gulf Coast University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication with a focus in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish before attending UNC Charlotte for the Department’s graduate program. She now resides in Naples, Fla., with her husband and two children. She says she utilizes some of the skills she learned in graduate school in her career as an entrepreneur and business owner in the marketing and public relations industry. Below is an edited interview with Booker, conducted by graduate student Brendi Bluitt.

Q. What kind of work are you doing?

I am currently the CEO and founder of Gracie PR & Marketing, a company that I started in March, 2019. After I graduated from UNC Charlotte with my master’s, I worked at a couple of PR & Marketing companies in Charlotte working primarily in the food and beverage space. I resigned from my job at an agency in February, 2019. At that point I had been interviewing at other PR & Marketing companies and I had multiple offers. I decided to follow my gut instinct, and I turned the jobs down to start my own company so that I could do the work I loved, but on my own terms.

Q. How did your time at UNC Charlotte help prepare you for the marketing and public relations industry?

My time as a graduate student did three major things for me. First, it made me become much more open minded and well-rounded. I had the opportunity to learn about so many things outside of my comfort zone that I think made me more empathetic and has made me a better person in general. Second, it made me become a better writer and learn how to take criticism better. Lastly, it made me better at time management. When I was in graduate school, I had a newborn baby (and that was during my thesis semester) so I had to learn how to be intentional about how I used my time.

Q. What advice would you give your former self as a student in the Communication Studies program?

Don’t kill yourself trying to make a paper, project or your thesis perfect. It never will be 100 percent the way you want it to be, so don’t stress about perfection.

Q. Do you have any advice for graduate students who will enter the workforce after the program?

Don’t put yourself in a box and don’t feel overwhelmed if you don’t know what you want to do after you graduate.

If you decide to go out into the workforce and apply for jobs, draw on what you have learned as a graduate student. Reference your thesis or comprehensive exams, and reference what you taught undergrads as a TA or what you helped with when you did research as an RA. There is so much valuable experience you can pull from those years in graduate school that will make you a standout candidate for a job.

Q. What are your future plans in the next five to 10 years?

I’m hoping that I will still be running my own company. At this moment I have clients across two markets and ultimately, I’d love to scale my business further, hire more full-time employees and continue to grow. Personally, I look forward to watching my two children grow up and traveling with them and with my husband. .

TAYLOR ADVOCATES FOR HER NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY WITH PASSION Kayla Taylor ’14, a native of Weldon, a small town in Halifax County near the Virginia border in eastern N.C., started her college journey intending to study nursing at UNC Charlotte. But some soul-searching set her down a different educational path with a desire to use her degree to make a difference in the community where she was raised. She took a break from college and developed her advocacy skills in the Charlotte community before re-enrolling and switching her major to Communication Studies with a concentration in the Public Advocacy. Kayla went back to graduate school for Public Administration and then worked her way back home, where she now passionately serves her community.

Q. Tell us about your background and how you ended up at UNC Charlotte.

I grew up in the house with my mother and three sisters. My father died when I was 12 years old. My mother worked three jobs at one point to make sure we had what we needed. I was always very smart in school but not really sure what I wanted to be because I was good at everything.

My mother thought nursing would be a good field because she knew I loved to help people and could make decent money. When it came time for me to apply to college, I knew I wanted to go to a UNC school, but I didn't necessarily want to go to Chapel Hill because everyone was applying there. I always thought Charlotte was beautiful and thought so even more when I looked up the school online, so I decided to apply.

Q. Why did you decide to major in Communication Studies?

I originally went to UNC Charlotte as a pre-nursing major, but after taking biology and chemistry I realized that it probably wasn't the best fit for me. When I went back home I started to take more notice of the conditions of my hometown, and compared it to what I had experienced in Charlotte. I felt like I wasn't prepared to go to college and cultivate my interest to even choose a major, much less a career. It was on a walk one day that I realized I wanted to advocate for my community and make the youth and families here aware of opportunities outside of our small town that could make life more fulfilling. From there, I started researching nonprofits that did just that.

Realizing there weren't organizations in the area that provided these services, I knew that's what I wanted to do. I moved back to Charlotte in 2010 using some connections I made in my earlier years at the University and started volunteering for different nonprofits all over the city, including a domestic violence organization, an organization that promoted positive ‘manhood’ and several local political campaigns, including the former Mayor Anthony Foxx. I knew I had to complete my college degree so I researched majors that were related to nonprofit work [and discovered] UNC Charlotte had a Public Advocacy concentration.

Q. What were some of the things you enjoyed about coming back to campus the second time around?

I loved my major and the Communication Studies department. Dr. Richard Leeman was always a resource for me on campus; he saw talent in my writing and was always available to discuss my plans with constructive feedback. Also, the B.E.S.T. office was another place of

refuge on campus: it provided a place to use technology and tutoring and created a smaller tight knit community feel that I was used to from back home. I joined the World Affairs Council just to learn about how different countries interact and do business in the U.S., which led me to some pretty amazing cultural experiences around the city. For my final semester, I got approval for a 25-credit hour course load that included an internship with Planned Parenthood.

Q. What did you do after you graduated in 2014?

I enrolled in grad school online, getting a master’s in Public Administration. A year into that coursework, I found my first job in my field closer to home at Down East Partnership for Children. This was a nonprofit providing early education resources and support for families with children from birth to age 4. I absolutely loved it.

I was hands-on, helping underserved communities, but I still couldn't get comfortable until I was serving in my own community. I moved closer to home, taking a job as the children's librarian for Halifax County. I was able to serve children and excite a thirst for knowledge in them. Being closer to home allowed me to pursue other opportunities for service and I started volunteering at the Hollister REACH center, located on the same road as my Grandmother’s house in Hollister, where I spent a lot of my childhood. This organization primarily served seniors with food distribution and physical activity and it is here where I cultivated grant writing skills, networking and nonprofit management. I got connected with the Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative as a representative for the Hollister Reach Center and the coordinator thought that I would be great in the role, as she was preparing for retirement. This was literally the best thing that has ever happened to me. Since 2019, I have been in this role, addressing health disparities and conditions of poverty in the place where I grew up and have been able to serve as a resource to children and families to get what they need so that they can pursue bigger interests. I have been able to support the school systems, health departments and community organizations through a Kate B. Reynolds grant I wrote that was funded for $330,000 over three years.

Q. What else have you been doing in your community?

In addition to providing healthy eating and active living programming to the community, I am on the frontlines advocating for a county-wide recreation department for Halifax County, and the long overdue consolidation of the three public school districts that exist within this one county. I was in the most recent class of Homegrown Leaders from the N.C. Rural Center and participating in Leadership Cohorts from Vidant Health. I am featured on a local podcast that addresses community-based issues in the counties that I serve. I was in a photo series titled "Behind the Mask" shot by Cornell Watson, depicting rural life for African Americans and the struggles we face. I have truly been blessed to reconnect with classmates from grade school that are working across various outlets in education, arts and health care and I am in a place to cultivate these relationships so that we can start to see a bigger, more positive impact on the outcomes for children that grow up here. I hope to continue representing where I come from as a voice for change and making my hometown proud.

GRADUATE PROGRAM NEWS

SCOTT TO SERVE AS INTERIM GRADUATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR Dr. Cliff Scott will serve as Interim Graduate Program Director for the upcoming fall semester while Dr. Erin Basinger is on leave. Scott, who came UNC Charlotte in 2007, is a professor of Organizational Science and Communication Studies and teaches courses in organizational communication and research methods. This spring, he talked about his upcoming responsibilities.

What do you hope to bring to the department as the interim GPD? Continuity mainly. As an interim GPD just stepping in for a semester, I certainly don't see myself as a change agent. Dr. Basinger has done such a great job. I just want to maintain what she's done, deal with new issues as they arise, prevent problems where I can and hopefully make her return post leave a smooth transition.

me being present generally leads to a much more helpful discussion when I return. Faculty also need to begin with the assumption that grad students are dealing with additional barriers we're not aware of.

Anything else you would like to add?

I am a lot more open to feedback, questions and suggestions than I probably seem. I really enjoy talking through the challenges that grad students and faculty are dealing with. It's sort of amazing how much we can accomplish in a 20-minute phone call as opposed to a potentially confusing email thread.

I really hope people will not hesitate to connect with me directly. v

What are you most looking forward to in this role?

I've been interested in working as a GPD for some time, so I'm looking forward to getting a realistic sense of how I might function in this role without having to commit to doing it for several years. This is why serving as an interim GPD is a really lucky developmental opportunity for me. Most of the time, you have to agree to play the role for several years without a realistic job preview grounded in ‘on the job’ learning.

How has teaching through the pandemic prepared you to support graduate students as interim GPD? Through trial and quite a few errors, I've definitely come to better understand the predicament grad students are in during this time and some of the specific instructional strategies that are needed in a Zoom-based format. For example, letting the grad students discuss the readings for a bit on Zoom without

BASINGER REFLECTS ON FIRST YEAR AS GRADUATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR While working on her doctorate at the University of Illinois, Dr. Erin Basinger realized she wanted to work with graduate students in her future academic year. She joined the Department in 2016 as an Assistant Professor, and this spring, was promoted to Associate Professor. Last year, when the Graduate Program Director’s position opened up, she felt ready. “I’ve been looking forward to this for many years,” she said in a recent interview. “I love grad students and getting to work with them as a big part of my job is a dream.”

In April, 2020, when it was announced that Basinger would take over as the GPD, she didn’t conceive that the University would operate virtually for most of the 2020-2021 school year. She had to re-strategize about how fall semester orientation would look and how the grad program would operate. Her primary priorities were to ensure that first-year grad students felt connected and welcomed and that all grad students would be able to navigate the program with their mental and physical health intact.

Through all of the challenges that normally come with directing the grad program and the added stresses of running the program in a pandemic, Basinger has been pleasantly surprised. One moment that stands out to her is when signing off with her Communication Theory class at the end of the fall semester, someone called out online, ‘Love you, bye!’ “I’ve been so impressed

by how remarkable everyone’s doing with all these added challenges,” she says, “which I think speaks to how well grad students in our program support each other.”

While there are many aspects in this role she enjoys, one of her favorites is being able to invest in graduate students and to support them on their personal and professional journeys. Not only is Basinger invested in graduate students, but they are invested in her as well. First-year student Ashley Lovett says “Dr. Basinger has helped make my graduate experience a smooth transition with her great support, intellect and easy-going spirit!” Second-year student Briana Morris adds, “Dr. B has been a wonderful graduate program director by consistently being approachable, reassuring and encouraging.”

Basinger looks forward to continuing to serve as the GDP when she returns from her leave in Spring, 2022, and getting to spend more time with graduate students in the years to come.

GRADUATE STUDENTS HOST VIRTUAL EVENTS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH CSGSA and the Communication Studies Graduate Circle hosted two virtual events to celebrate Black History Month in February and discuss racial injustice. With this past year of racial reckoning and injustice, graduate students and organizations are stepping up to create more inclusive spaces, both in and out of the classroom.

CSGSA screened the documentary “13TH” by Ava DuVernay, which provides an in-depth look at the history of racial inequity in the United States, and how mass incarceration in the U.S. predominately impacts Black Americans. The film explores a loophole in the 13th Amendment, and highlights that slavery was only abolished except as punishment for conviction of a crime. Graduate students also answered discussion questions and commented throughout the virtually-attended screening of the film. “I think that ‘13th’ is such an important film to watch because it brings attention to the fact that racism and discrimination didn’t stop with the abolition of slavery, or even any time after, as so many people seem to believe,” said second-year student Maria Michalak. “We have a massive amount of room for growth, improvement and radical change in this country, and I feel like the film does a great job educating about where that needs to happen and why.”

The Circle also hosted “Dismantling White Supremacy in the Workplace and Academia,” featuring panelists Dr. Kendra Jason, Assistant Professor in Sociology at UNC Charlotte, and Jacob Frankovich, Associate Director for Multicultural Engagement at Clemson University. Second-year graduate students Daviana Fraser and Shannon McGevna, co-chairs of the Circle, organized the panel with the intent to create space for meaningful conversations. Jason and Frankovich explained how equity benefits everyone and talked about ways to normalize difficult conversations and how organizations can strive for equity. McGevna said, “The conversations we had in the event highlighted the importance of putting actionable steps behind performative statements.

Daviana and I really wanted The Circle to be a space for uncomfortable & much needed conversations.”

GRADUATE PROGRAM

I am so proud to introduce this year’s graduating MA students! This group has faced unprecedented challenges, completing more than half of their program virtually as we moved online in March of 2020. Even absent the face-to-face mentoring, peer support and classroom learning that is typical of our program, this group of students has thrived academically and personally. To highlight just a few of their achievements over the past two years, the members of this graduating class presented at regional and national conferences, co-authored published research with faculty members, planned social and professional development events for their fellow students, applied to and accepted admissions offers from prestigious doctoral programs, secured post-graduation positions, mentored incoming graduate students, wrote theoretically rich and methodologically rigorous comprehensive exams, theses, and directed projects and survived a global pandemic.

Certainly, there were challenges, but I will never forget the resilience of this group, which I suspect is due in large part to their interpersonal affinity for one another. To see this group of students interact, you’d think they have known each other for decades rather than for two years. They celebrate each other’s successes and support each other when things are hard, and they are endlessly supportive of one another’s personal and professional endeavors. I imagine that this is a group who will still be having UNC Charlotte Class of ’21 reunions 10 years down the road.

I’d like to thank the Communication Studies Graduate Student Association (CSGSA) officers for all of their hard work this year planning events, mentoring graduate students, coordinating orientations, and creating community: Brendi Bluitt, President; Daviana Fraser, Vice President; Mark Manning, Treasurer; Emma Schambach,

CSGSA OFFICERS President: Brendi Bluitt Vice President: Daviana Fraser Senator: Briana Morris Treasurer: Mark Manning Secretary: Emma Schambach Social Chair: Shannon McGevna

Secretary; Briana Morris, Senator; and Shannon McGevna, Social Chair. I’d also like to thank Daviana and Shannon for leading the efforts of the Grad Comm Development Circle (“The Circle”) this year. Davi and Shannon planned some fantastic professional development events that prompted important conversations for our students and faculty alike. To all of you – thank you for your leadership.

The continuing students in our program also deserve our thanks and recognition. The first year students began their graduate studies in circumstances that they certainly did not anticipate when they applied for admission, yet they have persevered with grace and strength. I was honored to teach them in their first semester, and I was so impressed with not only their academic prowess, but also their determination to forge personal connections with one another under challenging circumstances.

We are lucky to have this group, as well as many other incredible continuing students, to welcome our new cohort next year.

Finally, I’d like to extend my gratitude to the faculty who support our graduate students in all of their endeavors as they advise our students, supervise assistantships, serve on department and student committees, and offer formal and informal mentorship to our students and each other. I am lucky to work alongside such passionate, smart, and engaging colleagues. Thank you!

Please join me in congratulating our graduating students!

Dr. Erin Basinger Graduate Program Director

NEXT TO GRADUATE Brendi Bluitt is from Summerfield, N.C,. and her main interests center around health communication and autoethnogaphy. She graduated from Campbell University in 2019 with a B.S. in Health Communication and B.A. in Communication Studies concentrating in Public Relations.

Brendi is passionate about working with marginalized communities and reimagining equity within the United States, and her capstone project centers around supporting pediatric cancer survivors. Brendi’s favorite class in the program was Interpersonal Processes in Health Contexts with Dr. Basinger, but she also thoroughly enjoyed her classes with Dr. Davis and Dr. Stokes.

After graduation, Brendi would like to enter the workforce within the PR field focused on health communication before eventually working in the government sector. Brendi would like to thank the “Comm Girls” for being such a great support system and friends throughout the program. She is so thankful for her time building friendships, creating a podcast with Shannon McGevna and being a teaching assistant with Bri Morris. Brendi would also like to give a special shoutout to Dr. Davis, for being a great mentor, advisor, and professor since Day 1.

Dr. Davis remembers first meeting Brendi when she was visiting campus to investigate our program. “I knew Brendi was someone we wanted in our program from the first time I talked to her,” she said. She enjoyed Brendi in Communication Theory her first semester, and in Qualitative Methods this fall. Dr. Davis has loved watching Brendi grow as a scholar during her time at UNC Charlotte.

“Brendi has been an absolute joy to work with,” she says. “I am very proud of her. Brendi is a thoughtful scholar who has the ability to combine compassion, theoretical and practical knowledge, and solid research skills, with a desire to change the world. I am sure she will succeed.”

[Editor’s Note: We are also appreciative of Brendi’s excellent reporting and writing contributions to this year’s annual EZine!]

BRENDI BLUITT Karly Bynum is originally from Charlotte, N.C., and

graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from UNC Charlotte in 2019. Mentorship from previous graduate students and an interest in organizational communication and theory led her to apply for an assistantship in the department. As a master's student, she became interested in critical studies, and she virtually presented rhetorical papers at both the National Communication Association and Southern States

Communication Association conferences. Karly is especially grateful for the teaching experience she gained as an assistant for Business Communication and Communication Research Methods. Her most memorable project was a partnership with her research advisor, Dr. Davis, which looked at the construction of female identity in Irish Myth & Magdalene Laundries. Dr. Davis commented that she has greatly enjoyed working with Karly on her research projects: “Karly's contribution to multiple projects has been instrumental. Karly is a deep thinker with a strong analytical mind, incredible writing skills and she's a joy to work with.”

Karly’s thesis is a study of organizational reliability culture and sensemaking communication in the case of the 2019 Virginia Beach City Municipal Center workplace shooting.

Upon graduation, Karly plans to pursue her interest in organizational communication at Sealed Air Corporation, where she has worked as an intern while in graduate school.

She is incredibly proud to have been a part of the department and to have worked with such resilient and inspiring peers and faculty. Her thesis advisor, Dr. Scott, notes that she is one of the sharpest, most diligent graduate students he has encountered. He looks forward to seeing the worlds of theory and practice benefit from the work of such a gifted analyst.

KARLY BYNUM Daviana Fraser , originally from Jacksonville, N.C., is the proud daughter of Bernita and Scelester Purvis and Antonio Fraser. She graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies and Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Advocacy and a minor in Journalism. At the graduate level, her interests involve the improvement of minority experiences, specifically through Black social justice efforts. Her favorite courses were Dr. Black’s Rhetorical Criticism class and Dr. Grano’s Professional Seminar, where she made memories with her “Comm Girls” that she will cherish for a lifetime. Daviana would like to thank her advisor Dr. Leeman for nurturing her love for activism and academia. Dr. Leeman says, "It has been my privilege to work with Daviana as an undergraduate student in my class, as her undergraduate advisor, and now as her thesis advisor. Her intellectual curiosity and commitment to engaged learning that can make a difference in the world around us has characterized her work from the very first class period I met her, right on up to the present. I know she will take that same energy to her doctoral program and beyond. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with her." She would also like to thank Dr. Quinlan for her

NEXT TO GRADUATE support. According to Dr. Quinlan, who had the honor of working on research with Daviana for two years, she is “one of the most intellectually curious students I have worked with. She is one of those students who takes criticism well, exceptionally motivated and independent. It has been an honor to watch her grow in graduate school. I know she will be successful wherever life takes her, and she is an excellent representation of the Communication Studies Department. I can't wait to call her Dr. Fraser!”

Dr. Black, who served on Daviana’s thesis committee, said, “Daviana brings a passion for social justice to everything she does, whether in the classroom and with her thesis or in the community. Measured and inquisitive, I’ve been so impressed with her critical sensibilities and natural talents for seeing multiple dimensions of a text. Davi is one of the sharpest rhetorical critics I’ve worked with in a classroom, and I am honored to be a part of her thesis committee! No doubt Davi will make an impact as a teacher, a scholar, and an activist.” In fall 2021, Daviana will begin the next professional and academic chapter of her life, pursuing her Ph.D. in Rhetorical and Political Culture at The University of Maryland, where she has been awarded a Dean’s Fellowship, tuition waiver and graduate assistantship.

noting, “Mark is one of those rare students whose passion for learning – but also his willingness to engage in reflexivity and to follow advice – reminds us as faculty of why we pursued our calling to teach and mentor. He verifies that choice. We may have helped Mark in his dream of going on to a doctoral program, but I will treasure the time spent working with Mark as his TA supervisor, MA advisor and collaborator in ideas about rhetorical studies and life in general.” Mark recently accepted an offer of full tuition and full stipend to pursue his doctoral studies in rhetoric at the University of Georgia, a top program. He hopes “to make UNC Charlotte proud as I take the next step in my career.”

Dr. Black is enthusiastic about Mark’s future: “Mark has followed a path from undergraduate exploration and MA-level inquisitiveness to an authentic certainty about his career goals. Always humble, never one who takes opportunities for granted, he has focused his academic aperture on critical work in the service of social change. He has a big future ahead and I am so proud to have been a part of Mark’s journey!”

MARK MANNING

DAVIANA FRASER Mark Manning , born and raised in the Queen City, came to UNC Charlotte as an undergraduate after having taken some time off following his core curriculum classes. He knew he wanted to engage in academic work involving politics and culture, so he returned to college and began exploring majors that best fit his passion for analysis, writing and synthesis. Fortunately for us, Mark landed in Communication Studies, and after taking Introduction to Rhetorical Theory, had a eureka moment – he could combine his interest in politics and culture within an analytical frame (rhetorical criticism) and solidify the arguments he had in mind as a young scholar and public citizen. As a result, Mark decided to remain with us for the master’s degree to seek sophisticated answers to the questions he was asking of activism, visual culture and social change. He says of our program that “[m]y time here at UNC Charlotte was transformative, where I have grown not only as a person but also as a student. The relationships I've made with the faculty here are genuine and supportive, something I have not taken for granted and will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Mark’s advisor, Dr. Black, reciprocates these sentiments,

Shannon McGevna is originally from New York, but she has slowly, over time, come to love her home in the South.

Over the last two years, she has developed interests that include corporate social responsibility and more specifically, nonprofit communication in a digital age. Figuring out how organizations are taking a stance for what they believe in and the programs they offer is something she has a deep passion for. One of Shannon’s favorite courses in the graduate program was Dr. Stokes’s Organizational Rhetoric class. Here, she got to see her passions intersect, and she took a lot away from the course. Her favorite part of the course was her final paper, which highlighted the popular outdoor company Patagonia's lawsuit against the Trump administration's attempt to reduce the size of national parks and monuments that sit on Indigenous land in order to make a profit. This project came full circle last year when Shannon was able to make a pit stop to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on a solo trip.

Shannon noted, “Dr. Stokes's encouragement to write what I was passionate about reminded me as I was standing at the national monument that I will never be silent about what is important to me.” As a graduate student, Shannon’s other memorable experiences include starting a podcast with Brendi Bluitt, organizing a Circle event entitled "Dismantling White Supremacy in Academia and the Workforce" with Daviana Fraser, and lastly, surviving graduate school during a global pandemic. Shannon also extended gratitude to both her advisor and her cohort: “I would like to thank Dr.

Norander for being a phenomenal advisor and an incredible mentor. Your brilliance and willingness to guide me through my directed project is something I greatly appreciate. Shout out to my Comm Girls, how lucky I was to have a group of strong women to ride this out with.” Dr. Norander commented, “It has been a privilege and honor to work with Shannon through organizational communication independent studies and her directed project on Nonprofit Organizing through the pandemic. Shannon’s genuine curiosity about social issues, nonprofits, and communication made led to many interesting discussions about ‘real world’ application, discussions I appreciate and will miss. I am impressed with Shannon’s drive to learn and grow through academic work and beyond – from interning with Girls on the Run, to co-hosting a podcast with her colleague, to successfully completing her master’s – I look forward to hearing about what she will do next!”

Shannon’s post-graduation plans include taking a deep breath and creating space for all she’s accomplished. Her hope is to continue to grow her freelance work in digital communication and work for a nonprofit whose mission she connects to. She’s been a 49er since 2016, so ending this chapter of her life is bittersweet yet so exciting. Shannon said that this program allowed her to grow academically, but more than anything, taught her that it's both okay and necessary to care and stand up for the things that truly matter.

professionally after grad school but I’m very excited for all that is to come!”

Dr. Basinger has loved her experience advising Maria since her first semester in the program when Maria took her graduate seminar. Maria has faced a variety of personal and professional challenges over the last two years, and Dr. Basinger has been endlessly impressed with her resilience through it all. Dr. Basinger says, “Maria is a remarkable academic and person. She cares deeply for people and is always looking for ways to use the knowledge she acquires to help others improve their lives and relationships. Maria has an incredibly bright future ahead of her, and I am so proud of her perseverance, strength, and courage.”

MARIA MICHALAK

Briana Morris , from Fayetteville, N.C., graduated from

SHANNON MCGEVNA Maria Michalak is from a tiny town in New Hampshire,

about five minutes from the Canadian border. Across her two years at UNC Charlotte, she has developed an interest in online communication about infertility and has pursued that interest in a variety of ways. One of her favorite classes in the program was Special Topics in Research Methods with Dr. Davis, in which her class worked together to interview dozens of amazing women about their experiences constructing their identity as women in the United States.

Other favorites include Interpersonal Processes in Health Contexts with Dr. Erin Basinger, which is where her passion for health communication really began, and any class with Dr. Daniel Grano who never fails to keep things real and fun.

Of her fellow graduate students, Maria said, “I have been so fortunate to study with an amazing cohort and am coming out of grad school with the best squad, including Brendi Bluitt, Daviana Fraser, Shannon McGevna and Briana Morris—together we’ve made it through a pandemic and cheered each other on through both professional and personal victories. I don’t know what the future holds for me

UNC Charlotte with her bachelor’s degree in English in 2019 before pivoting her focus to Communication Studies as a master’s student. She developed her research interest in social support for African American breast cancer patients in her favorite class, Dr. Basinger’s Interpersonal Processes in Health Contexts. Briana is proud of her accomplishments as a graduate student, which include serving as the 2020-2021 CSGSA senator, co-authoring an encyclopedia entry in the “International Encyclopedia of Health Communication” with Dr. Basinger (currently in press), and being the first program graduate of 2021. Her favorite memory was attending a potluck with the 2020 and 2021 cohorts and serving as a teaching assistant for organizational communication with Brendi Bluitt. Upon graduation, Briana hopes to spend time doing the things she loves and to pursue a position as a communication specialist or an academic advisor in communication.

Briana would like to extend gratitude to her advisor Dr. Basinger and to Dr. Davis for their continuous support: “Dr. Basinger and Dr. Davis have been especially supportive and reassuring of me throughout my entire time in this program.

I’m so grateful for the consistent faith that they have had in me, and because of them, I have truly appreciated my graduate school experience. They’re unforgettable!” She would also like to extend gratitude to her “Comm Girls” for being so lovable and supportive during her time in the program.

Dr. Basinger is so proud of Briana’s hard work and resilience in the program and says it has been an honor to advise her:

NEXT TO GRADUATE “I taught Bri during her first semester as a graduate student, and I was so impressed with her desire to learn, her willingness to dive headfirst into our course content, and her developing passion for health communication. It has been a pleasure to watch Bri hone her interests over the past two years, and I expect great things from her in the future!”

BRIANA MORRIS

Emma Schambach is a first generation graduate

student from Mocksville, N.C. She is an undergraduate alumna of UNC Charlotte, with degrees in Communication Studies and Political Science. She is thankful for the professors who helped guide her to the early entry program, which allowed her to finish both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in four years. During graduate school Emma’s interests centered on communication and law, and her thesis examined the experiences of nonresidential fathers both within and outside of the legal system as they navigated stigma through the use of communication. After graduation, Emma has plans to attend law school and use the knowledge she gained from the Communication Studies master’s program to continue to advance the application of Communication Studies within the field of law. Emma is particularly thankful for her thesis advisor, Dr. Basinger, as well as for her thesis committee members, Dr. Justin Grandinetti and Dr.

Margaret Quinlan. Additionally, Emma is thankful to have served as a research assistant and independent scholar on meaningful projects with Dr. Basinger, Dr. Davis, Dr. Kruckeberg and Dr. Quinlan. The time Emma spent learning from these scholars, and the opportunity to help with significant research that advances the body of knowledge in Communication Studies was one of the most impactful experiences of Emma’s time in the program. Emma also wants to thank Mark and Ann Schambach, whose dedication to providing their children with the best possible education allowed her to attain her master’s degree in Communication Studies and inspired her to commit to a lifetime of learning.

Dr. Basinger has been consistently impressed by Emma’s work as a graduate student. Emma served as a research assistant with Dr. Basinger, and she always had innovative ideas for solving data analysis problems or overcoming obstacles in the research process. “Emma is one of the most ambitious people I have ever met,” she says. “She had a goal in mind when she began our program as an early entry student, and she has never wavered from that goal.

Emma chose to write a thesis for her capstone – knowing that it was not the simplest option in front of her – because she wanted to contribute knowledge to the scholarly community about a socially significant problem. Her thesis work is excellent, and I feel sure that it will be impactful in both the Communication Studies and legal fields.”

EMMA SCHAMBACH

Emma Schambach defended her thesis, "'We're not 'Baby Daddies.' We are Fathers.

Dads.': Nonresidential Fathers' Online Stigma Management" on April 26.

Her advisor was Dr. Erin Basinger, and her committee members were Dr. Margaret Quinlan and Dr. Justin Grandinetti.

GRADUATE STUDENTS STAY CONNECTED With classes being virtual, graduate students had to get creative about ways to stay connected while also staying safe. The Communication Studies Graduate Student Association (CSGSA) continued to plan virtual activities and social events throughout the year, including a movie night, an “adjusting to graduate school” event and a gingerbread house competition.

First-year students still made an effort to meet up in person, after primarily communicating with one another through social media, Zoom and group messages. Margaret Rawlings, first-year student, says she is still making the most out of her graduate experience. “I think that I came into this semester knowing that graduate school was going to be a challenge. I knew that it wasn't going to be a breeze, especially during a pandemic. The encouragement and positivity from my sweet cohort really helped me to grow as an individual. I'm forever thankful for such an awesome community that makes me feel at home, despite our circumstances and the distance between us.”

CSGSA Social Chair and second-year student Shannon McGevna also gave her thoughts on how to remain in contact with fellow graduate students through the pandemic. “I stay connected by planning events for the first & second years. I also have a group message with my close group of friends in the cohort. We text every day and set up FaceTime chats every so often to check in with each other.”

Graduate students remain hopeful about the opportunity to see each other more in person through socially-distant events, volunteer opportunities and community involvement.

VIRTUAL WEBINAR Award-winning journalist Craig Silverman spoke on Oct. 6 about how to verify news in the national election to an audience of several hundred people that included journalism and political science students. The program, hosted by the Communication Studies Department, Atkins Library and the Political Science and Public Administration Department, provided useful information using Silverman’s digital “tools” to discern what is factual in political coverage and how to navigate the broader online news landscape. Senior Journalism Lecturer Cheryl Spainhour, who planned the webinar with the Atkins Library Digital Media Literacy group, is a featured faculty member in the 2021 Faculty Showcase, hosted by the Office for Assessment and Accreditation, Center for Teaching and Learning, Atkins Library, and Communication Across the Curruculum.

GRANDINETTI DISCUSSES GAMING RESEARCH AT VIRTUAL EVENT About 50 people attended the virtual Mobile Gaming Research Lab’s Spring ‘21 Lecture Series webinar on April 7 hosted by North Carolina State University (NCSU). The webinar featured two scholars whose research is at the intersection of mobile games, archives and history. Professor of Communication Dr. David Parisi of the College of Charleston spoke on “Instrumentalities of Touch in Mobile Game Interfaces.”

UNC Charlotte Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Dr. Justin Grandinetti, whose expertise revolves around Pokémon GO, the location-based, augmented reality mobile game that gained popularity in the mid 2010s, discussed how the game contributes to the concept of digital memory. In his presentation, Grandinetti explored the elements of data collection that lead to “posthuman cognitive assemblage,” or the digital networks in which information and meanings are communicated.

The presentations were part of a lecture series to celebrate the release of the Retro Mobile Gaming Database (RMGD). (http://database.mglab.chass.ncsu.edu).

The RMGD database collects data and information on mobile games created between the years of 1975 and 2008. The database provides a space for mobile gaming scholars, such as Grandinetti, to research gaming trends of the past and how they correlate with today’s mobile gaming.

CELEBRATIONS IN THE PANDEMIC & EZINE DEDICATION ऴSayde Brais was promoted to Senior Lecturer in May 2020. She also completed her Post-Master's Certificate in College & University Teaching in December 2020. And she got engaged in April to Austin Evans, after a "Pandemic Romance".

लRobert Brown, Melody Dixon Brown’s youngest son, completed his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (May, 2020). Robert currently lives in Colorado, working as a sales representative and has learned to snow board!

Dolores Dixon, Melody’s mother, celebrated her 90th birthday on Aug. 7, 2020, with family and friends on Zoom.

In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, life goes on! Here are some celebratory moments and milestones in the lives of the people in our Department. लErin Basinger and her husband Jacob are expecting their first child at the end of May. “Experiencing this milestone during the pandemic has offered us the ability to celebrate virtually with friends and family near and far!” she says. “We are so excited to welcome this little one and have felt so loved by the people in our lives during this season of life.”

लBrandy Stamper graduated with her doctorate (Doctor of Education) specializing in Educational Leadership in December (2020).

ऱ Zac Spainhour, Cheryl Spainhour’s son graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May, 2020, with a major in Economics and a minor in Entrepreneurship. He is a LPL Financial Advisor at Ruffalo Wealth Management in Ft. Mill, S.C.

DR. SHAWN D. LONG (1972-2021) For classical rhetoricians, eloquence was the “good person speaking well.” Shawn Long embodied that ideal. He was the soul of optimism, intent on uplifting all of those around him. He had an infectious laugh and a way of making everyone he talked to feel as if they were an audience of one, even in a crowded room. For 19 years, Shawn was a treasured teacher, colleague, and friend in the Department of Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte.

He continued to be all three of those even after he left in 2019 to become the dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kennesaw State University. We will all miss him greatly, remember him with abiding fondness, and are honored to dedicate this issue of our Department’s annual EZine to his memory.

Dr. Richard W. Leeman

staff LISA-MICHELLE FORSYTH Lisa-Michelle Forsyth began academic advising professionally in 2011, starting as a First Year Student advisor to Social Science majors at UT Chattanooga. She joined the CLAS Advising Center at UNC Charlotte in 2014, where she served as the liaison to Communication Studies. Forsyth fully joined the Department of Communication Studies as the primary role Academic Advisor in 2017. Forsyth enjoys helping students strategize for success in their educational and career goals through building an academic program appropriate for a student’s strengths, identifying necessary campus resources, and augmenting learning with experience beyond the classroom. Before starting a career in Advising, she worked with students in career and major decision-making at both Wartburg College in Iowa and at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. She earned both a Master of Arts in College Student Development and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Appalachian State University.

When not working with students to help them own and fine tune their academic plan, Forsyth enjoys spending time with her husband Charlie, son Chase, pups Boone and Harper and other family and friends.

KAYLA MODLIN,

WITH MARLO

Kayla Modlin, the Department’s Student Support Specialist, provides general advising and academic support for undergraduate students, builds course schedule, manages major and minor applications and fulfills many other administrative duties. This year, she has also served on the committee for the new Health and Medical Humanities minor and has provided academic support for those students as well. Her desire to help others and serve communities doesn't end outside of work. Modlin volunteers at Vizion Church in uptown Charlotte, serving as a worship leader and photographer. In her free time, she enjoys reading crime thrillers, working on puzzles, hiking, watching movies and playing with her sweet new rescue dog, Marlo. She adopted him from the Humane Society of Charlotte in January and has since successfully cared for him through heartworm treatment. Modlin hopes to get Marlo healthier this year and also to do some more traveling and spend time with distant family on the coast!

Internships COMM 4410 Professional Internship

STEPHANIE PERRY The Department welcomes Stephanie Perry this spring as the new Administrative Support Specialist. The North Carolina native grew up in Winton, but calls Wilson home. Perry studied Journalism and Spanish at UNC-Chapel Hillbefore attending graduate school at East Carolina University for International and Hispanic Studies.

Experienced with the North Carolina public school system in both K-12 and collegiate capacities, Perry was a high school Spanish teacher before moving into an administrative career. She feels her experience in education and administration blends well for her position with the Department.

Outside of work, Perry works in her community and volunteering through her church and with a group that helps high school students study abroad. During her junior year at UNC Chapel Hill, she studied abroad in Spain, which is one reason she enjoys helping others find opportunities to study and travel abroad. Perry is close with her family and lives with her sister, who also moved to Charlotte for a job opportunity.

She enjoys action/adventure, romantic comedy and family movies as well as historical fiction. “After the pandemic, I want to visit Asheville with my siblings and go horseback riding,” she says.

The first step to registering for Comm 4410/4445 or Jour 4410 is the completion of the Internship Program Online Orientation and Quiz.

To self-enroll in the Canvas training course where you'll access the Orientation and quiz, please go to https://uncc.instructure.com/enroll/D9L6JE.

The deadline to register for Comm 4410 this summer is Summer 2021 deadline is Monday, May 24 Fall 2021 deadline is Monday, August 23

new faculty SHANICE JONES CAMERON Shanice Jones Cameron will join the Department this fall as a full-time Lecturer. She is currently working on her Ph.D. at UNC-Chapel Hill, researching Black women’s health and wellness discourses on social media, which engages with critical studies, media studies and health communication. She earned her master’s degree in Communication Studies from UNC Charlotte, graduating in 2018. The New Bern, N.C. native earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science from North Carolina Central University. She plans to move to the Charlotte area in the summer.

Outside of academia, she says she “loves researching, designing websites, creating content and listening to podcasts!” You can read more about her in our 2020 EZine, where she was spotlighted in our “Eye on Alumni” interview with former graduate student Haley Hartsell.

5 10 years

years

Dr. Erin Basinger Dr. Jason Black Dr. Tiffany Gallicano Dr. Stephanie Norander (2020) Dr. Brandy Stamper (2020)

Craig Paddock

15 20 years

years

Dr. Cris Davis (2020) Tim Horne Dr. Cliff Scott (2020) Dr. Ashli Stokes

Sandy Hanson (2020) Staci Kuntzman

fac

CAMILLE ENDACOTT Camille Endacott, an Organizational Communication doctoral candidate at University of California at Santa Barbara with a passion for connecting with others, will join the Communication Studies Department and Organizational Science doctoral program in the fall as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Cliff Scott, who chaired the search committee, noted that Endacott has taught undergraduate courses on communication and organizational membership, business and professional communication, marketing and the dark side of interpersonal communication. She plans to complete her NSF-funded dissertation on artificially intelligent technologies and professional identity construction in June.

Endacott earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an Interpersonal/Organizational emphasis and a minor in journalism from Azusa Pacific University. She earned her master’s degree in Communication from UC, Santa Barbara, where she stayed on to do her doctorate work. “I am interested in how people construct their identities at work, especially with emerging technologies and with what consequences for organizing,” she says about her research interests.

culty milestones ń Dr. Erin Bassinger was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure ń Sayde Brais was promoted to Senior Lecturer ń Dr. Margaret Quinlan was promoted to Professor ń Dr. Bibi Reisdorf was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure ń Dr. Brandy Stamper was promoted to Senior Lecturer

“I always thought I would be a journalist because I love talking to people about their experiences, especially their work,” she says. “But, instead, I chose to enroll in a MA/PhD program at UC Santa Barbara and study organizational communication! I’ve had a few scattered work experiences in addition to my Ph.D. program - I worked as an events and marketing intern for a nonprofit org dedicated to helping women writers succeed and I also ran my school’s orientation program in college. I’ve taught as an adjunct professor back at my old undergrad school. I’ve also worked as a researcher on a project about older adults’ religious and spiritual development and on another project on occupations that support wealthy individuals (I was in charge of interviewing nannies, wealth managers and realtors!). And now I’m thrilled to get to put so many pieces of what I love to do together at UNC Charlotte as an assistant professor!”

“Outside of work and academics, I really love folk music, hiking and crossword puzzles,” she says. “I’m not very good but I really like playing around with film photography. My family (mom, dad, and twin sister) are in Southern California, so I look forward to them visiting me in North Carolina! I’ll be moving to Charlotte with my fiancé (soon to be husband in July!) Doug Meppelin, who is originally from Boston.

His broad career interests are in religious education and helping young people and families thrive, especially in intergenerational settings. We really like reading (for fun!) together and getting involved in our local communities.”

Debbie Kilby Baker

Debbie Kilby Baker

Erin D. Basinger

Jon Crane

Christine Davis

Debbie Kilby Baker, Senior Lecturer, has taught undergraduate courses in business communication, small group, interpersonal communication contexts, and public speaking – including Freshman Learning Community sections – since January 2001. Having earned licensure in education with graduate work in communication theory and teaching effectiveness, Baker specializes in creating diverse, engaging learning opportunities to help students be inspired, challenged and successful learners. “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. “I proudly hang in my office a 2011 student-designed faculty award which states ‘Most Eccentric’ for my teaching style and personality because it acknowledges the effective pedagogical and andragogical research for which I value.” Outside of the classroom, mentoring has been integral part of Baker’s professional engagement. She has designed and presented numerous workshops and training sessions on campus for faculty and students at the Diversity Summer Institute, Center of Graduate Life, University Center of Academic Excellence, Office of Adult Students and Evening Services, Prospect Preceptors, SAFE and Communication Across the Curriculum’s Lunch and Learn series and Designated Communication Consultants, in addition to a myriad of departmental and community instruction. She continues to serve as Communication Studies Scholarship Chair, COMM 1101 Adjunct Faculty Liaison and Communication Studies Student Association Faculty Advisor and has been recently appointed to develop and consult for the campus Speaking Resource Center.

Erin D. Basinger

Jason Edward Black

Melody Dixon-Brown

Sayde J. Brais

Tiffany Gallicano

Dr. Erin D. Basinger is an Assistant Professor in Health Communication and teaches classes about interpersonal health communication at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Samford University, her master’s degree at the University of Georgia, and her doctorate at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on interpersonal processes, including social support and coping, and as they occur in health contexts such as illness, grief and loss, and mental health. Her recent work examines communal coping, a process by which people manage stress in their relationships, in the context of chronic illness, especially type 2 diabetes. Dr. Basinger’s work has been published in Health Communication, Journal of Family Communication, Communication Research, and Qualitative Health Research, in addition to a variety of edited books. Her teaching focuses on intersections between theory and practice, offering students a vocabulary for what they already see and do in their relationships, believing that this vocabulary extends students’ understanding of their own experiences. Outside of her professional life, Erin enjoys yoga and spending time with her dog, Sophie.

Jason Edward Black

Justin Grandinetti

Dr. Jason Edward Black is professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies at the UNC Charlotte. His research program is located at the juncture of rhetorical studies and social change, with an emphasis on American Indian resistance, LGBTQ community discourses, and Black liberation. His work in these areas has appeared in the Quarterly Journal of Speech, Rhetoric & Public

Affairs, Southern Communication Journal, Western Journal of Communication, American Indian Quarterly, and American Indian Culture and Research Journal, among others. Black is the author of American Indians and the Rhetoric of Removal and Allotment (University Press of Mississippi) and is co-editor of An Archive of Hope: Harvey Milk's Speeches and Writings (University of California Press, 2013) and Arguments about Animal Ethics (Lexington Books, 2010). He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in African American Rhetoric, Rhetorical Theory, Rhetoric & Social Change, and Rhetoric, Race & the Law.

personal identity as they negotiate the liminal spaces between ‘well’ and ‘unwell,’ alive and dead, and power and marginalization. She teaches courses in Health Humanities, End-of-Life Communication, Healthcare Narratives, and Research Methods. Her most recent book, “The Personal is Political: Body Politics in a Trump World” (2020, Brill-Sense), was co-edited with Dr. Jon Crane and is a narrative exploration of bodies affected by contemporary politics. She loves to spend time with her grandson (the cutest child EVER), and in her free time, she writes poetry, creates art (watercolor, clay art), hikes, kayaks and practices ballet.

Sayde J. Brais

Melody Dixon-Brown

Lecturer Sayde J. Brais, received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Studies from UNC Charlotte. She began teaching full-time in the department in 2013. Brais teaches undergraduate classes which include: research methods, public speaking, business communication, and first-year seminar. Brais’ teaching philosophy revolves around the notion that “the great teacher continues to be a student”. She believes that every class taught provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge, for the student and the instructor. In addition to her teaching duties, Brais is the SUCCESS Learning Community Coordinator and LEADS Program Faculty Fellow for Communication Studies. She recently began her doctoral studies in the Ed.D. in Higher Education Program at UNC Charlotte. In her spare time, Brais enjoys playing with her dog, Minnie, and spending time with friends and family.

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

Christine Davis

Dr. Christine S. Davis, is a Professor in the Health Communication track. She is a Fulbright Scholar and publishes on topics such as children’s health, end-of-life communication, disability and qualitative research methods, particularly arts-based methods.

Generally, her research interests are in the intersection of communication, culture, power and health; she specifically studies people whose illnesses and embodied experiences influence their

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 “ 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, interpersonal communication and small group communication. She has a dual degree in marketing and communications management from Syracuse University and an MBA from The University of Delaware. When not teaching, you’ll find her enjoying a good book.

Tiffany Gallicano

Dr. Tiffany Gallicano is an associate professor who teaches undergraduate and graduate public relations classes. She received her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Maryland and worked at the University of Oregon for nine years as an assistant professor and then as an associate professor, where she won an award for her teaching. She has professional public relations experience in nonprofit organizations, political campaigns and public relations agencies. She is a past head of the PR Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. One of her favorite teaching quotes is “The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited” by Plutarch. Her writing classes are focused on bringing students up to professional standards. In terms of her research, she has authored and served as a co-author of 20 refereed journal articles in the areas of relationship management, social media, ethics and pedagogy. She has won six awards for her scholarship. Currently, she is co-leading the qualitative stage of a half-million, three-year grant from the Department of Defense with an interdisciplinary research team, which focuses on how messages spread on social media following shocking events. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Todd, and her daughter, Valentina.

Justin Grandinetti

Dr. Justin Grandinetti is an Assistant Professor of Media Studies. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication from James Madison University and his PhD in Communication, Rhetoric & Digital Media from North Carolina State University. His research examines the intersection of mobile and streaming media with attention to how mobile media practices are part of arrangements of power, commodification, and a recreation of space.

His work traces the discursive and material lineage of technologies such as the portable television and drive-in theater to contemporary streaming media. His articles have been published in journals that include Information, Communication & Society, Critical Studies in Media

Communication, and Surveillance & Society. In the classroom, Dr. Grandinetti endeavors to challenge his students to feel empowered by recognizing something about themselves—whether it’s cultivating a new talent or way of thinking about the world around them. Outside of academia, he likes to travel and has recently taken up running – a sport he never thought he would do!

Daniel 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. 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.

Daniel Grano

Loril Gossett

Sandy Hanson

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 Health Communication, Communication Theory, Organizational Communication, Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, and Communication and Conflict. In 2010, she was promoted to Senior Lecturer. Hanson has published a chapter in an introductory textbook on conflict and communication has presented numerous papers at professional organizational conferences. The first edition of her text/workbook, Applied Small Group Communication: Learning Through Experience, was published in the fall of 2016. In addition to her teaching duties, she serves as a guest lecturer with the UNC Charlotte Office of Extended Academic Programs working on team building with firefighters and EMS employees from a tri-state area. She also works with the Office of International Educational Experiences program running annual, month-long leadership programs for Australian students, and presents bi-annually for the Human Resources department of the university as well. She served as the inaugural Director of SUCCESS, a new freshman Learning Community for students in all majors of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Hanson has also been a Guest Instructor at Xiamen University twice, once in 2015 and again in 2017. “The teaching abroad experience has forever changed me and I am proud and grateful for the experiences. Teaching is challenging!” she says. “I work hard to enliven

Tim Horne

Min Jiang

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 (she has over 24 years of teaching experience in the water) and is an avid hiker happily trodding along on 15-20 mile hikes in the beautiful North Carolina mountains with her new best friend, Luke, a bluetick coonhound rescue and Calvin, a Black Mountain Cur rescue.

Tim Horne

Tim Horne has served as an instructor for the department since 2006. He is a Senior Lecturer and formerly served as the Director of Forensics. Horne teaches a number of courses for the Communications Studies Department, including Advanced Public Speaking, Media Ethics, Persuasion and Mass Media. During his tenure as Director of Forensics (2006-2017) the UNC Charlotte forensics team received over 300 awards. “Professional, to the point, with a little bit of humor,” remarked a student. “Okay, a lot of humor, but it breaks up the monotony and adds some personality to the course. Informative, yet witty. Good combination.” Horne has been awarded a B.E.S.T. Outstanding Teaching Excellence award for his work at the university. He encourages students to take the skills and information gained from his courses and apply them in a macro sense within their discipline and future careers. A graduate of both the undergraduate and graduate Communication Studies program at UNC Charlotte, Horne has spent more than 20 years on the campus of UNC Charlotte. His areas of interest include interactive media, film, popular culture and persuasive principles. When he's not teaching he enjoys relaxing with his wife, daughter and dog.

Min Jiang

Min Jiang, Ph.D., is a Professor of Communication at UNC Charlotte and CyberBRICS Visiting Professor at FGV Law School (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). She is a secretariat member of the annual international Chinese Internet Research Conference (CIRC) and Associate Editor at Sage journal Communication & The Public.

Her research focuses on Chinese Internet technologies (search engine, social media, big data), politics (digital activism, online political satire, diplomacy), business (Chinese Internet giants, business ethics) and policies (real name registration, privacy). She has co-edited three special journal issues and published over 30 journal articles and book chapters on the Chinese Internet, some of which have appeared in Journal of Communication, New Media & Society, Information, Communication & Society, International Journal of Communication, International Communication Gazette, and Policy & Internet. Media outlets including Reuters, Deutsche Welle, Foreign Policy, Financial Times, The New Scientist, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Al Jazeera English have interviewed her for her work. She was born and raised in China. Prior to pursing her doctor’s degree in the U.S., she worked at China Central Television (CCTV) and Kill Bill I in her native country China. Dr. Jiang received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Beijing Foreign Studies University and her Ph.D. in Communication from Purdue University.

Dean Kruckeberg

Dean Kruckeberg, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, has a B.A. in English with a minor in journalism from Wartburg College; an M.A. in journalism (PR) from Northern Illinois University; and a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from the University of Iowa. He is co-author of Public Relations and Community: A Reconstructed Theory (which won the first NCA PRIDE Book Award); of This Is PR: The Realities of Public Relations; and of Transparency, Public Relations and the Mass Media: Combating Media Bribery Worldwide. He is co-editor of Public Relations in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and of Strategic Communications in Russia: Public Relations and Advertising.

Dr. Kruckeberg was a visiting professor at the National Research University (Moscow) and at Erfurt University (Germany) and taught UNC Charlotte’s London International PR Seminar three times. He has lectured worldwide. His awards include NCA’s “PRIDE Award for Outstanding Contribution/Achievement in PR Education,” PRSA’s “Outstanding Educator Award” and “Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in International PR,” the JJ&W Behavioral Research Prize; the Institute for PR’s Pathfinder Award; the Iowa Regents Faculty Excellence Award; the Charlotte PRSA Infinity Award; Rowan University’s PR Hall of Fame and Wartburg College’s Alumni Citation.

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

Staci Kuntzman

Staci Kuntzman is a Senior Lecturer and has served as the Internship Director for the Department of Communication Studies since August, 2005. As a senior lecturer, she makes regular use of the Canvas learning management system to offer PowerPoint presentations, weekly quizzes, a calendar of events and other important class information. Special speakers and hands-on learning exercises are utilized in all courses when appropriate. Kuntzman planned, developed and taught one of the first fully online courses for the department, Interpersonal Communication, in fall 2011/spring 2012.

Specific courses taught include undergraduate courses in public speaking, advanced public speaking, interpersonal communication, argumentation and debate and business communication.

As the Internship Director, Kuntzman is responsible for directing and supervising all activities related to the department’s internship program. This includes all recruitment and promotion efforts, communicating with companies/organizations about the internship program, prescreening all potential interns to determine eligibility, maintaining all student files and documentation, assessing current interns’ progress through an early and final evaluation, maintaining website content for the internship webpages and online orientation and communicating with businesses and organizations to promote the internship program as well as to advocate for students. She has planned, promoted and executed two departmental internship fairs and continues to collaborate with the University Career Center to advertise and post internship opportunities through Hire-A-Niner.

Additional service at the university level includes participation in multiple committees such as the Liberal Arts & Sciences Employment Readiness (LASER) taskforce, the University Professional Internship Program (UPIP) Faculty Advisory Committee, the Washington Center Scholarship Committee, the University Professional Internship Program Selection Committee, Student Commencement Speaker Selection Committee, the University Professional Internship Program

Manager Search Committee, Faculty Associate to the Freshmen Learning Community and Advantage Program mentor. She has also served in multiple departmental committees such as lecturer hiring committees (where she served as chair for one of the searches), public speaking textbook selection committee, Curriculum and Assessment Committee and departmental representative to Explore UNC Charlotte and Majors Day. Kuntzman is a proud Mom of three children and four dogs (also like her children).

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

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, politics and media, and the Professional Seminar in Communication course. 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.

Leeman has participated in writing, co-writing, or editing seven books, including “The Will of a People: A Critical Anthology of Great Speeches by African Americans” (with Bernard Duffy); “The Teleological Discourse of Barack Obama”; “The Rhetoric of Terrorism and Counterterrorism”; “’Do- Everything’ Reform: The Oratory of Frances E. Willard, and “African-American Orators: A BioCritical Sourcebook.” In 2017, Leeman received the Southern States Communication Association’s Michael M. Osborn

Scholar-Teacher Award. Aside from his teaching and publishing achievements, Leeman says he is inordinately proud of the Honorable Mention he received from Washington Monthly Magazine during his graduate school years. It was an award for a backyard patio and terrace construction job on which he was landscape foreman.

Stephanie Norander

Stephanie Norander earned her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Ohio University. She joined UNC Charlotte in 2015 as the Executive Director of the Communication Across the Curriculum (CxC) program in University College and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies. Her work with CxC focuses on enhancing college curriculum and student learning through emphasis on communication (writing and speaking). In this role, she consults with faculty to create, implement, and assess innovative curricular changes that are integrated within the broader goals unique to each discipline.

Her research focuses on organizational communication broadly and specifically on identities, gender, and difference, dialogic communication, and alternative organizing. She has published in the Journal of Applied Communication Research, Management Communication Quarterly, Health Communication, and Communication Studies in addition to numerous book chapters.

Recently, she completed in-depth qualitative research with a National Writing Project site on professional identity development. A skilled facilitator, Dr. Norander has conducted numerous applied research and strategic planning projects with both local and international organizations

Craig Paddock

Lecturer, J. “Craig Paddock received his Bachelor’s in Print Journalism from Bob Jones University and his Master’s in Mass Co mmunications 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, Gardner-Webb 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 .

Margaret Quinlan

Dr. Margaret M. Quinlan is an Associate Professor of Communication and a Core Faculty Member of the Interdisciplinary Health Psychology Ph.D. Program. She joined the Department in 2009 and was awarded the Bonnie Cone Early-Career Professorship in Teaching in 2015. Her scholarly work explores the organizing of health care resources and work opportunities for people with lived differences. Also, her research explores how the individual and collective experience of health is shaped by and assumes meaning within and through diverse bodies. Currently, she focuses on women’s health issues such as infertility and is currently writing a book with Professor Bethany Johnson (History) You're doing it wrong!: Mothering discourses, social media, and the history of medical expertise under review at Rutgers

University Press (Johnson & Quinlan). She has published in Text & Performance Quarterly, Health Communication, Management Communication Quarterly, and Women’s Reproductive Health. 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, Health and Media, and Gendered Health Communication. “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.” Dr. Quinlan has three documentaries in the regional Emmy award-winning Courage of Creativity series: Beautiful Remedy, Creative Abundance and The Acoustics of Care. Outside the world of academics and film making, she lives on Lake Norman with her husband James and is the proud mother of Sweeney and Teddy Carbone.

Dean Kruckeberg

Bianca Reisdorf

Dr. Bianca C. Reisdorf is an Assistant Professor in Media Studies. She received her Master’s (German Diplom) in Media Sociology from Bielefeld University in Germany and her D.Phil. in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences from the University of Oxford. She teaches classes about information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as the Internet, at the intersection with society at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Reisdorf examines issues of digital inequalities and digital divides—who is offline and who is barely online and with what effects—in the context of highly technology-dependent societies, such as the United States and Western and Northern Europe. Her recent research focuses on marginalized communities, as she is working with returning citizens who have served a prison sentence and distressed urban communities to design interventions that enable meaningful adoption of ICTs. Dr. Reisdorf’s work has been published in high quality journals, including New Media & Society, Information, Communication, & Society, the American Behavioral Scientist, and Communication Practice and Research. As a first-generation college graduate, she emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive and accessible classroom environment in addition to proactively supporting students in their college success. “I wouldn’t have made it here without the help of my professors! I want to make sure that I give my students the same kind of support that I received throughout my college career.” When she doesn’t teach or do her research, you can find Dr. Reisdorf at one of the many run clubs throughout the city or rowing on the Catawba River. She currently lives in NoDa with her spouse, her four cats Maeby, Liffey, Mia, and Daisy, and her collie-beagle mix Cobe.

Staci Kuntzman

Carol Leeman

Nance Riffe

Dr. Nance Riffe, Lecturer and Director of Forensics, earned her bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and her master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. Her research focuses on disability rhetoric. She teaches classes related to rhetoric and public speaking and coaches the UNC Charlotte Speech Team. Riffe recently moved to Charlotte from Austin, Texas, where she was CEO and Head of School for ACE Academy, a non-profit school for elementary and middle school students who score in the top five percent on IQ tests. While running ACE was a challenge and an adventure, Dr. Riffe is thrilled to be out of administration and back in the classroom where she tries to make each student feel heard and supported. When not teaching or traveling with the Speech Team, she enjoys a good scary movie (or a bad one) and getting to know North Carolina with her partner, Mike.

Richard Leeman

Robin Rothberg

Senior lecturer Robin Rothberg earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication with an emphasis in public relations and in English with an emphasis in literature (double major) from Florida State University in 1999. Her Master of Arts in Journalism with a certificate in business and economics reporting is from New York University in

Stephanie Norander

2000. She teaches undergraduate courses in public relations.

“Education is about becoming thoughtful, hopefully across the spectrum of life from personal to professional,” Rothberg says.

“That’s what I want for my students, for them to recognize the importance of thinking through their choices, of conscious deliberation hopefully leading to balance, contentment, and strength.” Outside the classroom, Rothberg is probably trying to tame the chaos of her husband and two children.

Clifton Scott Craig Paddock

Clifton Scott

Margaret Quinlan

Cheryl Spainhour

Dr. Cliff Scott is Associate Professor of Organizational Science and Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, where he also serves as a consultant for public, nonprofit and corporate organizations through its Organizational Science Consulting and Research Unit. Appearing in MIT Sloan Management Review, Management Communication Quarterly, Human Resource Management, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Communication Theory, and Communication Monographs, his research primarily concerns the relationships among occupational safety and health, high reliability organizing and organizational communication. He has a secondary research interest in organizational socialization. Prior to his current position, he completed his Ph.D. in organizational communication at Arizona State University (2005), an M.A. in organizational communication at Northern Illinois University (2001), and a B.S. in speech communication and political science at Bradley University (1997). Before joining the academy, he worked as a field sales manager, supervising a team of geographically dispersed employees and overseeing large corporate accounts.

Cheryl Spainhour Bianca Reisdorf

Brandy Stamper

Nance Riffe

Ashli Stokes

Robin Rothberg

Henrique Viana

Senior Lecturer Cheryl Spainhour has been passionate about teaching journalism since 1998. She currently teaches undergraduate core courses in the Journalism minor, including Advanced News Reporting and Writing and Feature Writing. She has also developed several Special Topics courses in Journalism, including “Multimedia Storytelling” and “Covering Poverty in America,” the latter culminating in a multimedia project that won the “Best Independent Online Student Publication” Regional Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. She created and led a Study Abroad course, “British Media and Culture,” in London, and she has taught public speaking skills and English in Italy. In the classroom, she aims at educating her students about the field of 21st century journalism and encourages them to study and commit outstanding journalism. She believes part of her role as an educator is to engage in life-long learning. She enjoys taking courses from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists from The Poynter Institute and the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas. She also attends journalism/educational conferences to continue honing her teaching, reporting and writing skills and to keep attuned to the ever-changing field of journalism. She serves as the editor of the Department’s Annual EZine publication and chair of the Journalism Curriculum Committee. Outside of academia, she loves living in the country with her family (and their many animals), writing and traveling.

Brandy Stamper

Senior Lecturer Dr. Brandy Stamper earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in Educational Leadership from UNC Charlotte. She has been teaching at UNC Charlotte since 2009 and became a full-time member of the faculty in July 2015. She currently teaches undergraduate courses in public speaking, business communication, research methods and small group communication. Previously, she worked as a full time instructor at South Piedmont Community College and as a research associate/360 coordinator helping businesses and organizations maximize their investment in human resources through research, training and consulting.

Her teaching philosophy is rooted in a belief that teaching is a student-centered environment with students being equal partners in the learning process, and she is committed to working with students and investigating new strategies for learning. She is the recipient of the William L Woodword Partner in Service Program for her work with the Mount Pleasant Lions Youth Club Football organization. She enjoys volunteering in her community, traveling, and spending time with her family, especially with her children Dane and Willa.

Ashli Quesinberry Stokes

Dr. Ashli Quesinberry Stokes is a Professor of Communication Studies and the Director of the Center for the Study of the New South at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Stokes teaches a variety of courses on Southern foodways, public advocacy, and rhetoric and directs the Department's Honors Program. Stokes is an award-winning rhetorical scholar of public relations and public communication controversies concerning activism and social movements, whose research about communicating identity in the Southern food movement has been described as “a call to action.” She is a Recipient of the National Communication Association Public Relations Division PRIDE Award for public relations pedagogy and the Janice Hocker Rushing Early Career Research Award from the Southern States Communication Association, and has received external funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council and other agencies to support her research. Her multi-disciplinary work is featured in leading academic outlets and includes two co-authored books, while she also contributes to local and national media, such as the Smithsonian, Academic Minute, and NPR. Along with serving as the director for the Center for the Study of the New South, she serves as the Marketing Director for the Southern States Communication Association. Upon the completion of her master’s degree at Wake Forest University, she worked in public relations, returning to academia to complete her doctorate at the University of Georgia. 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 enjoys adventures around Charlotte and the world with her family: husband Jeff, their children Kate and Charlie, and Captain Coconut the Rescue Cat.

Henrique Viana

Henrique Viana has been a Lecturer at the Communication Studies Department since Fall, 2013 and taught as an adjunct for the three previous years. A native of Brazil, Henrique acquired his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a concentration in International PR and Global Understanding from East Carolina University. As an undergraduate, he was a student-athlete, captain of the tennis team and vice-president of the student-athlete advisory council. He received his master’s degree in Communication Studies with a focus in International PR from UNC Charlotte, where he did a semester abroad studying Culture, Communication and Globalization at Aalborg University in Denmark. For the past four and a half years, he has taught Business Communication, Public Speaking and Applications in Organizational Communication and will add other classes, including Small Group Communication and Persuasion. His approach to teaching includes trying to make theory more relatable and applicable to students and helping them see how it can be used outside of class. He strives to make his classes “engaging and open.” He is an advisor to more than 20 students along with serving as a member of the department’s Scholarship Committee and Department Diversity Liaison for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Outside of the university, he is an avid traveler always looking for somewhere new to explore (and often going back to his favorite places) trying foods from around the world and tasting good Italian or Chilean wine. “My goal is to one day have visited 100 countries. There are a lot more to go, but I’m halfway there and know life will be a lot more fun when there’s something like that to look forward to.”

Volume 11, Issue 1