Department:
Communication
Degrees:
Ph.D., M.A., B.A., University of Alabama
Teaching Experience:
I came to Appalachian in 1995, compelled by the Department of Communication’s focus on teaching. As someone fascinated by the role(s) of “mass” media in cultivating our perceptions of society and culture, I encourage students to critically examine and better understand this construction we call “the media.” Because cell phones have become primary machines for our media consumption, I increasingly encourage students to examine their personal use of all types of mediated communication: personal, social and commercial. My undergraduate degree is in communication and sociology; my master’s degree is in journalism. My doctorate is in mass communication.
Why I like to teach honors courses:
Having a classroom of students from diverse academic pursuits who are dedicated to their degree programs is a lot of fun. The opportunity to encourage deep conversation about the role of communication and mediated communication in their lives and careers is one I value highly. I always learn from students in this setting.
Emeritus:
No