Graduate Student Association
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Graduate Students and Faculty

Graduate students in the UNC-CH School of Journalism and Mass Communication come from across the United States and from every corner of the globe. Our students come from many backgrounds and bring with them a full spectrum of academic, professional, and personal interests. The rich diversity of our students offers an array of rewarding experiences and interactions with a variety of cultures.

Send corrections and updates to dmundy@email.unc.edu.

 

Aljoura, Loubna, M.A. 2007

B.A. 2003, University of Tishreen , Syria .  After graduating, Loubna taught English at Phonecia Primary School in her hometown, Lattakia.  Loubna then worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Syria as a press officer.  Loubna plans to study public relations with a special interest in how public relations can be practiced in the Middle East and what changes it will undergo to adapt to the society there.

 

Babb, Carla, M.A. 2006

B.A. 2006, Media Communication and Political Science with minors in Journalism and Mathematics, North Carolina State University . Prior to graduation, Carla studied abroad at Oxford University . This summer, she worked for Voice of America News as the associate producer for the radio call-in show Talk to America. She also interned on Capitol Hill for Congressman Bob Etheridge. Carla is the electronic media graduate assistant for Dr. Charlie Tuggle. She corresponds and produces for the television program Carolina Week. Carla’s primary interest is international broadcasting, where she hopes to pursue a career as an international correspondent.  

 

Bailey, Terri, Ph.D. 2005

M.A. 2005, Mass Communication, University of Florida , Graduation with Distinction; B.S. 1979, Advertising, University of Florida , "Most Outstanding Advertising Scholar." Terri has more that 15 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including being a nationally-published freelance writer and co-owner of a sports marketing company that promoted Olympic yachting teams at international events. Her research interest focuses on aging and the media. Terri lives on 7 acres on the west side of Chapel Hill and enjoys riding her horse, Austi.

 

Baucom, Bill M.A. 2007

Bill graduated from UNC years before many of his fellow Master’s classmates were born – graduated from the School of Life in 2004.  Bill lived in California briefly in the 1970’s, but has been in Chapel Hill long enough to have watched Michael Jordan and the Tar Heels play in Carmichael and to have celebrated UNC’s 1982 championship on Franklin Street with the other 30,000 people.  He has spent the last 25 years or so working in the entertainment business as a promoter, agent, production manager and musician. He still plays frequently with his bands and hopes that he never gets too old to rock.  His primary interest at UNC is writing for different media including newspapers, magazines, television, and video.

 

Bell , CarolePh.D. 2003

M.S. 1999, TV and Radio Management, Brooklyn College ; B.A. 1991, English and American Literature, Harvard College . Carole has worked in advertising and marketing for seven years, most recently as an Account Supervisor at Digitas, where she focused on interactive marketing strategy and execution. Prior to beginning her marketing career, she worked in multimedia production at Cambridge Digital Media and for the Jamaican public affairs talk show, the Breakfast Club. Outside of work, Carole is passionate about two key interests— Jamaica and the arts. She has volunteered for the Studio Museum in Harlem and the GenArt Film Festival and serves as President of the service organization Jamaica Impact Inc. (JAMPACT). Her areas of interest include media effects and political communication.

 

Blatt, Rebecca,  M.A. 2006  

B.A. 2004, English, University of Pennsylvania . After graduating from Penn, Rebecca spent two years living in the San Francisco Bay Area. There she focused primarily on the field of education. Rebecca worked with gifted middle- and high-school students at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth programs in Palo Alto and Santa Cruz . She also taught writing for inner-city teens in underserved communities through several non-profit organizations including Spark, 826 Valencia and Streetside Stories. In addition, Rebecca worked as a teacher, coach, writer and editor at The Nueva School in Hillsborough , C.A. Rebecca’s primary interest at UNC is print journalism.

 

Bobkowski, Piotr (Peter), Ph.D. 2006

M.A. 2006, Mass Communication, University of Houston ; B.A. Honors 1999, Religious Studies, University of Alberta . Born in Poland and raised in Canada , Peter spent seven years working at St. Thomas High School in Houston , where he advised student publications, taught theology and worked as graphic designer. He has also done freelance design work and was editorial assistant for Communication Studies from 2002 to 2006. His academic interests focus on the construction of religion in the mass media, adolescents and the mass media, media law, and scholastic journalism.

 

Brantley, Todd, M.A. 2007  

B.A. 1995, English and Psychology, University of North Carolina .  M.T.S. (Master of Theological Studies) 2002, Duke University .  Todd worked for six years in regulatory affairs at Duke Clinical Research Institute and at the Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Program at Duke University Medical Center .   He also taught religious studies part-time through the distance education program at Randolph Community College .  Before returning to graduate school, Todd worked in corporate support and development at UNC-TV.   Todd plans to study print journalism.

 

Carmichael, Chris, M.A. 2006

B.A. 2002, Economics, B.S. Finance, Indiana University . After graduating, Chris taught mathematics at Kokomo High School , in his hometown of Kokomo , IN. Most recently, he managed online sales for a small Chapel Hill firm, overseeing product photography, graphics and Web development. He has reported for the Indiana Daily Student and the Daily Tar Heel. Chris plans to study print journalism with a special interest in urban issues, economic justice and the future of American cities.

 

Cato, Mackenzie, Ph.D. 2006 

M.A. 2000, Communication, University of Arkansas ; B.A. 1999, Communication, University of Arkansas , Cum Laude. Originally from Atlanta , GA , Mackenzie attended the University of Arkansas on a golf scholarship. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she began the master’s program where she taught courses in the Department of Communication. In 2001, Mackenzie moved to Los Angeles and began working for the Convergys Corporation as a Software Analyst and Corporate Trainer. She has 5 years of corporate experience working with companies such as Time Warner, Charter Communications, Xap Corporation, and Cox Enterprises, Inc. Mackenzie’s research interest is gender portrayal in the media.  

 

Chi, Kelly, M.A. 2006  

M.S. 2006, Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. B.S. 2003, Neurobiology and Physiology, Purdue University . Kelly moved to Chapel Hill from Champaign , Ill. , where she worked in a lab whose research in rats is implicated in treatment of individuals with type I diabetes. Her master’s project, published in Brain Research, was to help determine brain circuitry involved in detecting and counteracting bouts of low blood sugar. During her time at Illinois , Kelly wrote for the student newspaper, Daily Illini, and founded and co-edited a newsletter, NeuroNews, for her graduate program. Kelly’s main interest is writing about the life sciences, especially for younger audiences.

 

Cloud, Daniel, M.A. 2006 

B.A. 2002, History with minors in Film Studies and Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington . After graduating, Daniel took an internship in Washington , D.C. , with Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch Division, where he assisted with research for a book on the World Trade Organization called Whose Trade Organization?: A Comprehensive Guide to the World Trade Organization. He also interned as a production assistant for B Productions in New York City , helping video crews on location during Fashion Week. Daniel’s primary interest is multimedia and multimedia documentaries.

 

Colistra, Rita, Ph.D. 2004

M.S. 2004, Journalism, West Virginia University ; B.S. 1998, Journalism/Public Relations, West Virginia University . Rita has worked as the events & sports marketing coordinator for Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio , Colorado . She has also worked in non-profit public relations for Health Right and served as a public relations consultant for After School For All (ASFA), an organization that supports non-profit programs for school-aged children. Her research interests include media ownership and agenda setting.

 

Connors, Julia, M.A. 2006  

B.A. 2004, French Studies, Duke University . Julia moved to Chapel Hill after spending two years in New York City working for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. There, she managed grants to local breast health organizations and research universities, wrote profiles on the grantee organizations and photographed Komen’s annual New York City Race for the Cure. She has held internships at National Geographic, Duke Magazine and Duke University Press, and her writing and photos have appeared in several other publications. Her photographic documentary project on pediatric terminal illness paved the way for many more projects relating to health and science and compelled her to begin a career in medical journalism. Julia is primarily interested in preventive health and environmental issues.

 

Corbella, Nacho, M.A. 2007  

B.A. Journalism and Social Communication, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile . After graduating, Nacho worked as a reporter in the Politics section of La Segunda Newspaper in Santiago , Chile . Most recently he's been working as a staff professor in Universidad de los Andes Journalism School where he teaches Introduction to Photojournalism and Multimedia Narratives; he also co-produces Multimedia Projects in different regions of Chile . Nacho's primary interest at UNC is photojournalism and multimedia documentaries.

 

Coyle, Erin, Ph.D. 2005

M.S. 2005, Journalism, Ohio University ; B.A. 2000, Journalism and English/Creative Writing, Emory University . Erin has worked in print media for the Telegraph Herald. She covered city government, technology, and fashion. Her research interests include media law and history.

 

Crouse, Julia, M.A. 2007  

B.A./B.S. 2003, English/Journalism, University of Florida .  After graduating, Julia worked as an education reporter for The Ledger in Lakeland , Fla. , a city midway between Tampa and Orlando .  Julia plans to study mass communication with a focus on online media and the changing newsroom.

 

Daquila, Phillip, M.A. 2007  

B.S.J. 1989, Magazine Journalism, Ohio University , Athens , Ohio .  Phil recently completed an eight-year run as the design and production director of Baseball America , a national magazine, book and web publisher headquartered in Durham . He wonders if he'll miss going to Florida for spring training in '08.  He has also edited publications for museums and a scuba diving association and occasionally writes freelance feature articles.  Phil's interests lie in packaging of online content, multimedia storytelling and documentary.

 

DeConto, Jesse James, M.A. 2005 

B.A. 1999, Philosophy/Communication Arts, Cedarville College . Jesse James DeConto is a staff writer for The New and Observer, covering Chapel Hill . Before coming to Carolina , he worked as a newspaper reporter and editor in Ohio and New Hampshire . He moved to North Carolina after receiving a Phillips Journalism Fellowship to write about Latino immigration in the State. He lives in Carrboro with his wife, Heather, and daughters, Ambrosia and Caelia.

 

De Pano, Margarita, M.A. 2006

B.S. Communications Technology Management, Ateneo de Manila University , Philippines . After graduating, Maggie took a job writing profiles and reviews for the online version of BusinessWorld, a business daily. She then worked as a communications assistant for Macare Medicals Inc., a nationwide distributor of imported diagnostic supplies and equipment, and wrote as a freelancer for several Philippines publications for four years. There, she was exposed to a number of poverty-related health issues in her country and was inspired to pursue a degree that merged her love for writing with her concern for public health.

 

Devereux, Tiffany, M.A. 2007  

B.S. 1998, Advertising, University of Florida. After graduating college, Tiffany moved to Chicago to sell advertising space for a Primedia Business Magazines and Media, business-to-business publishing company. Her career path led to a magazine management position for the telecommunications group at PBMM. In 2003, she placed her career on hold to pursue her personal goals. Tiffany and her husband began a three year sailing expedition around the world. While sailing, she designed a Web site and blog site about her adventures sailing across oceans and experiences in more than 20 countries. Upon completion of her circumnavigation in 2006, she became a post-baccalaureate student at UNC-Chapel Hill to begin studies in photojournalism and print journalism. Tiffany has contributed feature articles and photographs to the Daily Tar Heel, the Chapel Hill News, the Chapel Hill Herald and the Kenan-Flagler Business School E-Newsletter.

 

Du, Ying, Ph.D. 2004 

M.S. 2003, Communication, North Carolina State University; B.A. 1992, Journalism, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China.  Ying joined the Carolina community in 2004, and her areas of interest include new media journalism, international communication, transnational advertising, research methods, and pedagogy.  Her research has resulted in multiple top paper awards.  Before coming to the U.S., Ying had worked for eight years as a reporter and editor for the Yangcheng Evening News, a national newspaper based in Guang Zhou, China.  She was the recipient of several national news awards. Ying has been a volunteer for Duke Cancer Patient Support Program and a donor for the National Marrow Donor Program.

 

Dunn, Scott, Ph.D. 2006  

M.A. 2006, Communication, Virginia Tech; B.A. 2001, Communication and English, Virginia Tech. Scott was a life-long Virginian before venturing south for doctoral studies. He is interested in media coverage of, and commentary about, political campaigns and issues. In particular, he is interested in the ways in which new(er) media offer alternative models of political communication and how those changes affect political attitudes and behaviors. Scott and his wife, Jennifer, live in Chapel Hill with their dog, Zeke, and cat, Mousse. In his free time, Scott likes to play guitar, watch sports (especially college football) and read anything non-academic.

 

Edy, Carolyn, Ph.D.2007 

M.A. 1997, Journalism and Mass Communication, UNC; B.A 1993, English Writing, St. Lawrence University. Raised in NH, Carolyn lives in Chapel Hill with her daughter and their pets.  Her first job, at Random House, Inc (with “slush” lunches for mass rejection-letter mailings), inspired her to apply to journalism school.  After UNC, Carolyn was a U.S. News reporting intern in D.C. and then a freelance writer for national magazines.  A three-year stint directing health care communications not only helped her buy a house, but gave her a new perspective on PR and journalism.  Recently she was associate editor of the Carolina Alumni Review and taught at UNC as an adjunct.  Her research interests include media coverage of science that is controversial and politically charged.

 

Efthimiou, GregM.A. 2006 

B.A. 1999, Leadership Studies, University of Richmond. Following graduation Greg Efthimiou joined the Washington D.C. office of Accenture, a global management consulting company. During his seven years with Accenture, Greg specialized in change management consulting to Federal Government clients, notably the Transportation Security Administration within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Greg managed a variety of projects, including communications design/delivery, organization design, and new business line strategy. Greg’s primary interests are public relations and corporate communication.

 

El-Toukhy, Sherine, Ph.D. 2007

M.A. 2001, Communication, Cairo University; B.A. 1996 Communication, Cairo University.  Sherine is an Egyptian and the single mother of Omar, a five-year old boy.  Sherine has lived all her life in her home country except for five years in which she lived in India and Saudi Arabia.  Sherine is a TA at the faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University.  Hs ehas also worked for private universities in Egypt where she taught television production and news writing courses.  Sherine has ten years of experience working as a researcher for a number of research agencies and governmental organizations.  She also has expertise in the field of television production.  Her research interests in general are the media and social change.  Specifically, Sherine is interested in health and political communication.

 

Fuhlhage, Michael, Ph.D. 2007  

M.A. 2007, Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia. B.S.J. 1990, News-editorial journalism, University of Kansas.  Mike came to UNC after teaching newspaper editing and design for five years at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.  Before that, he was an editor and designer at The Santa Fe New Mexican, The Des Moines Register, The Desert Sun of Palm Springs, California, The St. Cloud Times in Minnesota and the Lawrence Journal World in Kansas.  He is interested in news media portrayal of Latino immigration and the history of dissent against war in America.

 

Godwin, Joshua, Ph.D. 2005  

M.A. 2002, Journalism and Mass Communication, UNC; B.S. 1997, Psychology, University of Oregon; He has worked in advertising, public relations and crisis communications in both Richmond, VA and Charlotte, NC. His interest area is media law and advertising.

 

Graber, Vanessa, Ph.D. 2004  

M.A. 2004, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; B.S. 2002, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Vanessa’s professional background lies primarily in the field of radio production and promotions. She has also worked as an instructional specialist and web designer while living in Western Pennsylvania. Currently, Vanessa is studying international media development in emerging democracies. She is a native of Philadelphia, PA and is fluent in Spanish. Vanessa enjoys traveling, making radio documentaries, and seeing live music.

 

Higginbotham, Chris, M.A. 2007 

B.S. 2003 Appalachian State University, Electronic Media;  M.A. 2007 University of Oklahoma, International Relations.  After graduating, Chris served as a military journalist in the US Army.  He covered Europe-based military units on missions throughout Europe and the Middle East, including combat missions in Iraq.  He is studying visual communication and hopes to serve as an international affairs reporter in the future.

 

Holman, Lynette, Ph.D. 2007  

M.A. 1995, Journalism, University of Texas at Austin; B.F.A. 1993, Photography, James Madison University, Magnu Cum Laude.  Born in San Diego, Lynette grew up in Virginia Beach, Va.  Her research interests include emerging media technology, online journalism and visual communication.  Lynette was, until recently, a visiting professor at Virginia Wesleyan College where she taught news writing, design, and editing, photojournalism, and online journalism.  Prior to that, she spent ten years as a designer – mostly at The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. She is married to Phillip, an art teacher, and they have two children, Claudia, 7, and Liam, 2.

 

Hoppenjans, Lisa, M.A. 2006  

B.A. 2003, Political Science, Wake Forest University. Lisa is working on a master’s degree part-time while working as a reporter, covering business and general assignment stories in the Chapel Hill bureau of the News & Observer. Before coming to Chapel Hill, Lisa spent a year and a half working for the Winston-Salem Journal, mainly as the courts reporter. She is interested primarily in print journalism.

 

Hur, Keun Yung, M.A. 2006  

B.A. 2003, English, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Keun Yung has been an assistant manager of public relations at Mint Trading Company, an intermediate trading company and promotion agency that helps launch luxury brands from Italy, France and the U.S. into the Korean market. Her area of interest is public relations for corporations.

 

Jones, Michele, Ph.D. 2007  

MAMC 2003, Journalism, University of Florida; BA 2001, International Studies, University of West Florida. Originally from Pensacola, Florida, Michele spent most of her life in the Sunshine State before escaping hurricanes and moving to Chicago in 2005.  In her professional life, Michele worked as a news web site producer for The Gainesville Sun, TBO.com, and WBBM News Radio 780. Her research interests include online journalism, convergence, the changing newsrooms and news products of traditional media outlets, and audience uses of online media.

 

Kowalewski, Jennifer, Ph.D. 2006  

M.S. 2006, Mass Communication, Ohio University in Athens, Received Master Student of the Year. Second go-around at Ohio University, as Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from OU in 1996. Jennifer has 10 years experience in reporting and news writing for various newspapers in the Midwest, including Cheboygan, Mich., Butler, Penn., and Medina, Ohio. She spent six years reporting in Mansfield, Ohio, for a Gannett-owned newspaper before returning to school. Her research interests include political communication, namely media impact on public opinion.

 

Lee, Sunyoung, Ph.D. 2007 

M.A. 2007, Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia. B.A. 2005, Advertising and Public Relations, Ewha Womans University, South Korea.  Originally from South Korea, Sunyoung interned with a broadcasting company and at three different magazine companies, assisting editors during her junior and senior years and with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Georgia Chapter during her master’s studies.  In additional to studying communication, Sunyoung is also interested in art, music, fashion, and culture.  Sunyoung studied fashion merchandising for one year and has also managed to learn jazz dancing and spoken Chinese.  She came to the U.S. in the summer of 2005 to get her Master’s in Public Relations and has become very interested in public campaigns in America.  In particular, she is interested in how organizations use public campaigns to improve their image or reputation and how they use messages effectively when negative health–related issues regarding the organizations’ products or activities are raised.

 

Li, Cong, Ph.D. 2005  

M.S. 2005, Journalism and Mass Communication, Kansas State University; B.A. 1998, Journalism, Shanghai International Studies University. Cong worked for Radio Shanghai as a reporter for four years before he went to graduate school. His research interests include Internet marketing, new-media effects, and human-computer interactions.

 

Lu, (Amy) Shirong, Ph.D. 2004  

M.A. 2004, Communication Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; B.A. 2002, English Language and Literature, Peking University. Shirong has contributed film reviews to China Film News and translated several films for China Central Television Station. She also interned at an animation company under China Film Group and worked as an editor and art director for student newspapers and magazines. She is interested in health communication, communication effects and society, communication technology, and animation studies.

 

Mahmood, Reaz, Ph.D. 2005  

M.S. 2005, Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina; B.S. 1998, Radio-TV-Film, University of Texas. Reaz is originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, but he was a rugged Texan for 22 years prior to his arrival at UNC. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he worked as an educator with his most recent stop being the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired where he utilized his own experience as a legally-blind individual to train disabled students in both academics and independent living skills. During his master’s program, he served in Student Congress, co-founded the Global Media Student Association, and drew a cartoon on Dr. Packer’s first law exam. His areas of greatest interest are international and political communication.

 

Malik, Christina, Ph.D.2007  

M.A. 2004, Communication Management, University of Southern California; B.A. 2000, Television/Radio, Ithaca College. Christina has seven years of professional experience in the advertising industry working with clients such as Mattel, Motorola, and DIRECTTV at several advertising agencies including Deutsch, Ogilvy and Mather, and The VIA Group.  Her research interest is understanding media effects on children and adolescents, specifically focusing on marketing messages.  Christina is originally from New Jersey and has spent most of the past seven years living in Los Angeles, CA.  She currently lives in Carrboro with her boyfriend Sam where they enjoy cooking, attempting to play tennis, and entertaining family and friends.

 

Marks, Kelly, M.A. 2006 

B.A. 2001, Graphic Design & Multidisciplinary Studies, NC State University. After graduation, Kelly worked for the NC State alumni magazine as assistant editor. She also managed their website and designed their mailings and promotional items. In 2003, she started her own design practice, providing print and internet materials with a focus on branding and identity. She also taught workshops in digital storytelling with a California-based non-profit. Kelly is interested in multimedia studies with a focus on narrative storytelling.

 

Martin, Justin, Ph.D. 2006 

Martin earned an M.A. in mass communication research from the University of Florida, and a B.S. in psychology from High Point University.  His writing has appeared in Journalism Studies and the Journal of Media & Religion, and in the books Global Media go to War, The Internet Election, and The Encyclopedia of Political Communication.  Martin’s commentaries have also run in newspapers such as the Baltimore Sun, San Francisco Chronicle, St. Petersburg Times and the San Jose Mercury News.  His main research interest is political communication, particularly how media frame political campaigns and events.

 

Mateshvili, Maya, M.A. 2006 

B.A. 2001, Translation and Interpretation of English and German Languages, Tbilisi State University of Language and Culture. Maya came to Chapel Hill from Georgia (a country, not the Peach State). She’s here on the Edmund S. Muskie graduate fellowship program. For the last four years Maya had been working in Georgia, as a Public Relations Coordinator of the major export development project funded by USAID. As a part of her job, Maya handled media relations, managed public outreach activities, organized P.R. events and oversaw communication with donor organizations, government agencies and target audiences within the general public. Maya is interested in studying public relations at UNC.

 

McGinnis, Ann, M.A. 2006  

B.A. 2001, Tufts University. As an undergraduate, Ann worked in Tufts’ development office, researching donors and overseeing student training. Upon graduation, she stayed in Boston for two years as a marketing associate and events coordinator for Barefoot Books. In 2003, she moved to Philadelphia where she worked in marketing and alumni relation for a private school for children with learning differences and later, for the American College. Ann is primarily interested in public relations specifically related to the non-profit sector in the areas of education and the environment.

 

Meyer, Josh,  M.A. 2006 

B.A. 2000, Communication, Virginia Tech. After earning his undergraduate degree, Josh began work as a sports copy editor at The Roanoke (Va.) Times. During his five years in Roanoke, Josh also wrote a weekly column focused on fantasy sports. He moved on to be a sports copy editor at The News & Observer in Raleigh for over a year before deciding to attend UNC. Josh is primarily interested in public relations, specifically related to sports.

 

Mignoni, Eileen, M.A. 2007 

B.A. 2003, Classics, Brown University.  After graduating from Brown, Eileen moved to New York.  She worked as an assistant to illustrators’ agents.  At the same time, she interned with the New York Press as a fact-checker.  She determined New York was no place to decide what one wanted to do; she moved to Chicago.  She took photographs in hip-hop nightclubs for eighteen months. She took a job as a photographer which sent her around the world a number of time, photographing marketplaces and mass-market consumer products.  Her fields of interests are economic disparities, mental illness, and the impact photography has upon its subject.

 

Moldoff, Jason, Ph.D. 2007  

M.A. 2007, Communication, Virginia Tech; B.A. 2003, Communication and Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Jason's research focuses on political communication and media effects. For his master's thesis, he designed an experiment to test the effects of news framing of young voter turnout in the 2004 election on young people's political attitudes. He is also interested in the effects of political humor on young people's sense of efficacy. Jason is an avid Boston sports fan and lives in Carrboro with his wife, Talya.

 

Moorlag, Matthew, M.A. 2006  

B.S. 1992, Advertising, University of Colorado, School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Matt is an active duty U.S. Coast Guard, Lieutenant. His previous assignments have included conducting counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, search and rescue planning and case management on the Great Lakes, and aids to navigation work along the California coast. He most recently served as the Senior Controller for the Coast Guard’s multi-mission Command Center in Juneau, Alaska, where he managed Coast Guard search and rescue and Homeland Security activities within Alaska. Matt’s primary interest is public relations and military public affairs.

 

Moser, Melissa, M.A. 2007

B.A. 1997, Philosophy, Davidson College.   Melissa’s diverse work experience has included managing a B&B in Mexico, working at a surf shop in Costa Rica, teaching at schools in Madrid, San Francisco, San Diego, and Ciudad Guzman, and providing personal financial planning services.  She is certified as both a financial planner and ESL teacher.  Melissa has published articles in the specialty magazines Inside Mexico, Living Nutrition and Carolina Sports & Fitness, and has written website content for various companies including Financial Finesse, Integrity Sports Marketing and Organic Athlete.  Her main goals are to make financial issues more understandable and to draw connections between lifestyle choices and finances.  She will study visual communication as well as economics/business reporting. www.melisssamoser.com

 

Mundy, Dean, Ph.D. 2007  

M.A. 2006, Mass Communication, UNC.  B.A. 1996. Political Science/Economics, UNC. Prior to returning to UNC, Dean spent about ten years in the corporate world, including two years consulting for Accenture and five years in finance and marketing for Coca-Cola in Atlanta.  He most recently worked as a corporate public relations specialist and company spokesperson for Nortel in RTP , NC.  He is interested in examining the modern American gay civil rights movement as a culturally-based public relations campaign.  He lives by two very important rules: 1) Carolina good, 2) Dook bad.

 

Nair, Prashant, M.A. 2007 

Ph.D. 2004, Biochemistry; M.S. 2000, Life Sciences.  After graduating with a Master’s degree in Life Sciences from India, Prashant did his Ph.D. in intracellular protein trafficking at the University of Basel, Switzerland.  He then went on to do a post-doctoral stint in cell biology at the University of Geneva during which time he decided to pursue a career in science and medical writing.  Prashant has freelanced for New Scientist and Science magazines and plans to study medical journalism.

 

Najera, Miguel, Ph.D. 2002  

M.A. 1995, Media Studies, New School for Social Research, B.A. 1989, ITESM-State of Mexico Campus. Miguel taught screenwriting, film, and video production to students at ITESM.  He also worked for an animation and documentary production company in Los Angeles, CA. After receiving his master’s degree, he returned to Mexico City to serve as the Director of the Media Center at ITESM.  In July 1995, he became chair of the university’s Communication and Image Technologies Department. In August 2001 he became the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and remained in that position until moving to North Carolina. His research interests are semiotics of culture and audiovisual dramaturgy.

 

O’Donnell, Patrick, M.A. 2007  

B.A. 2000, History, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  Since graduating from UMass, Pat has held a myriad of jobs such as union organizer, social worker, librarian and most recently English teacher in Barcelona.  He plans to study print journalism with a focus on international relations and social justice.  He is also interested in learning skills associated with online media design.

 

Peach, Sara, M.A. 2007  

B.A. 2005,Environmental Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After earning her bachelor's degree, Sara worked for two years at a non-profit organization, Rural Action, in Trimble, Ohio. There she managed the organization's public relations and coached local citizens on emerging Internet communication tools. Sara's interests at UNC include print and online journalism, with a special focus on environmental issues.

 

Perry, Christine (Chris), M.A. 2007  

B.S. 1978, Recreation and Youth Leadership, Michigan State University. Chris has worked in management roles for schools and nonprofit organizations in Michigan, Iowa and North Carolina for more than 20 years. In 1998, she became the communications manager for a national nonprofit organization, overseeing publications, media relations, special events and the organization’s first Web site. She is currently an assistant director of communications for the UNC School of Public Health and will work on her master’s part time. Her primary interest is the use of Web sites as a public relations tool for nonprofit organizations and Web site management.

 

Petty, Erin, M.A. 2007  

B.A. 2004, English, Grinnell College. After graduating from college, Erin moved to Chicago, where she spent nearly three years. She experienced the standard liberal-arts-major lull in jobs and spent her first ten months in Chicago doing part-time work, including publicity for a small publishing company. She then managed the membership program at the Shedd Aquarium, where her responsibilities included developing material for brochures and direct mail pieces, managing the content of the membere-newsletter and planning events for members. Recently she spent three months backpacking, and she plans to make travel an integral part of her professional and personal life. Erin is interested in visual communications and print journalism at UNC.

 

Peuchaud, Sheila Rose, Ph.D. 2006  

M.A. 2004, School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, Columbia; B.A. 1999, Asian Studies and Creative Writing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Sheila is originally from Michigan, but has lived, worked, and studied in Washington, DC, Japan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and France. She received a Fulbright grant to conduct research on Japanese high school girls in 2005. Her research interest centers around women's health communication, especially breastfeeding and parenting best practices. She shares her life with her beloved husband and young son.

 

Read, Sheila, M.A. 2007  

B.A., Economics, University of Michigan. Sheila spent several years after graduation working as a reporter covering the Pentagon and Congress for a daily defense trade publication. Her interest in psychology and in helping others improve their lives led her to obtain a Master’s degree in Social Work. As a clinical social worker, she worked in a variety of settings, including UNC Hospitals and private practice, doing counseling related to mental health and substance abuse. Sheila is studying Medical Journalism, with an interest in long-form storytelling about health, psychology, and environmental issues.

 

Recomendes, Joe, M.A. 2007  

B.A. 2007, Communications, Boston College.  Joseph worked in public affairs for the USS Constitution, planning events and working with the media. He also graduated from the Institute for Television, Film, and Radio Production at Boston University in 2002, where he gained film, video, broadcast and web experience.  Joe intends to study public relations, specifically its military application. After graduate school, he intends to join the US Navy as a public affairs officer.

                                                                                                                             

Rostovtseva, Natasha, M.A. 2007  

B.A. 2005, Epidemiology, Hygiene, Moscow Sechenov Medical Academy. After graduating from Medical Academy, Natasha worked for Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS, primarily specializing in social advertising, special events management and media relations targeted to increase HIV/AIDS awareness in Russia. After leaving TPAA in November 2006, Natasha joined Leo Burnett Group as an account manager. She was responsible for development and day-to-day management of interactive based promotions for Philip Morris Sales and Marketing.  Prior joining TPAA, Natasha worked for medical informational agency Mednovosti.Ru as an editor and later a project manager. She was the project leader of the Moscow Health Department web-site launch and development.  Natasha plans to study pubic relations.

 

Salleh, Fatimah, Ph.D. 2005  

M.A. 2001, Syracuse University; B.A. 1999, Utah State University; Fatimah is married to Eric and has two children, Micah (3) and Xavier (1). She enjoys napping when given the chance. Prior to coming to UNC, Fatimah spent three years teaching at Utah State. Her area of interest is history.

 

Scalza, Remy, M.A. 2006  

B.A. 2001, English, Cornell University. After graduating, Remy spent three years living abroad in Spain and South America. He has worked as an English teacher, international program advisor, and – most recently –as the translator of a non-profit journal focused on international development. Remy’s primary interest is international reporting and writing, with a particular focus on Latin America.

 

Silver, Derigan, Ph.D. 2005  

M.M.C., Mass Communication, Arizona State University, 2004; B.A. Psychology, University of California at Santa Barbara, 1994. Derigan was the Vice President of Investor Relations and Business Development for a real estate investment and asset management firm. Previously, he has also served as the Associate Director for the KAET-TV Public Opinion Poll, appeared as a commentator on the evening news program Horizon and worked for a market survey research firm. Derigan’s research interests include First Amendment theory and history, and other areas of communication law and public policy.

 

Simonetti, Kristin, M.A. 2006  

Kristin Simonetti is a 2005 graduate of Elon University's School of Communications, where she was a Journalism and Communications Fellow who dabbled in history in her spare time.  During her tenure at Elon, Kristin worked as a football beat writer for the student newspaper, The Pendulum, and also served as the paper's sports editor in the spring of 2003.  This past summer, she received a Dow Jones Newspaper Fund sports copy editing internship and worked on the sports desk of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in Milwaukee, Wis.  Her research focuses are media law and media history.  

 

Slagle, Mark, Ph.D. 2006  

M.A. 2006, Journalism, University of Missouri; B.A. 2002, Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina. Mark spent several years as a freelance writer about music, culture and technology for publications such as The Oxford American. At the University of Missouri he worked at that school’s award-winning weekly magazine, Vox. His research interests include the history of information controls and military-media relations.

 

Smith, Dean, Ph.D. 2006  

Certificate (academic) 2005, new media, University of North Carolina; M.S.L. 2003, Knight Fellow in Legal Studies, Yale Law School; Certificate (professional) 1996, foreign correspondence, Fondation Journalistes en Europe, Paris; B.M. (performance) 1986, N.C. School of the Arts. Dean comes to the Ph.D. program with nearly 20 years of newspaper experience as a critic, columnist, reporter, copy editor, section editor and wire editor. His home newspapers were the Winston-Salem Journal (1986-90), Charlotte Observer (most of 1990-2004), St. Petersburg Times (1997) and (Raleigh) News & Observer (2004-06). He has worked as a stringer and freelancer for, among others, USA Today (1986-90) and the New York Times (1999-2002). His area of study is media law.

 

Smith, Jessica, Ph.D. 2006  

M.A. 2005, Mass Communication, University of South Florida; B.S. 2002, Journalism, Abilene Christian University. Jessica worked as a copy editor (aka hacked through stories) at the Tampa Tribune for several years after newspaper internships in Nashville, Tenn., and Washington D.C. She has taught design and visual communication classes at Abilene Christian University and worked with high school journalism teachers through an ASNE program. Her areas of interest are media effects and online news.

 

Soplop, Jeffrey, M.A. 2006 

B.S. 2001, Integrated Science and Technology, James Madison University. Jeffrey comes to the University of North Carolina with a vigorous technical background. During his tenure at James Madison University, his work was published by the American Institute of the Aeronautics and Astronautics and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). After graduation, he spent more than four years developing business and interpersonal skills as a senior consultant and project manager for Rockwell Automation. He has significant international experience, including development of a photovoltaic tracking system in Malta, consulting in Germany and training delivery in France. Jeffrey hopes to adapt his proficiency in technical writing and research to focus on areas such as the environment, economics and international affairs.

 

Templin, Elizabeth, M.A. 2007 

B.A. 2003, English and Creative Writing, University of North Carolina.  After graduating from UNC, Elizabeth worked as a Recruitment Fellow for Teach for America in NYC.  At the end of her fellowship, Elizabeth returned to North Carolina and worked at the Institute for Science Learning as a special projects and research coordinator.  Most recently, Elizabeth has worked in development and on special projects for North Carolina State University Libraries.  Elizabeth plans to study print journalism and multimedia.

 

Terry, Tom, Ph.D. 2004 

M.A., Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; B.A., Journalism, University of Iowa and Iowa City. Tom is the former editor, publisher, and owner of a small collection of weekly newspapers in western Illinois. He is a past president of the Illinois Press Association (I.P.A.). His wife, Cathy, and he have three children: Elizabeth, William and James, a doctoral student at UNC-CH in history. Tom is a private pilot, has an addiction to loud ties and bad puns, and plays the Scottish smallpipes with considerably more enthusiasm than talent. He has an abiding interest in media history and a passion for the First Amendment. His dissertation will focus on the nexus of race, religion, and liberalism in the South at the dawn of the modern civil rights era through the experiences of two Pulitzer Prize-winning community journalists.

 

Tran, Hai, Ph.D. 2005  

M.S. 2004, Journalism, West Virginia University; B.A. 1996, Journalism, Hanoi National University. Hai is a former editor, correspondent of the Vietnam News Agency in Hanoi and Washington, D.C. He has also worked as a guest commentator, contributor for Vietnam Television and Hanoi Radio & Television. His wife, Ai, is a former broadcaster in Vietnam and the couple has two young children: Mia and Njuyen. Hai is part of a team that won a Vietnamese Journalists’ Association award for its coverage of Sept. 11 events from the United States. His research interests include international communication and political communication.

 

Vail, Julia, M.A. 2006

B.A. 2005, International Relations and Foreign Language (Russian), University of South Alabama. Before moving to Chapel Hill, Julia worked in a transportation consulting firm, where she was primarily responsible for personnel-related information and maintaining the company Web site. During that time, she also served as a volunteer English tutor for Russian-speaking refugee families in the Mobile, AL, area. Julia’s primary interest is international print journalism, specifically dealing with lack of press freedoms in former Soviet Republics.

 

White, Tiffany, M.A. 2007

B.A. 2005, English, UNC.  After graduating, Tiffany taught English at the Edgecombe Early College High School near her hometown of Rocky Mount, NC.  While teaching, she also held a part-time position as an instructor with the Edgecombe Community College where she taught introductory English courses.  Now that she has returned to her alma mater, she plans to study print journalism with an interest in the portrayal of females and minorities in the media. 

 

Whitmarsh, Sarah, M.A.2006  

B.S. 2006, Microbiology, University of Georgia. Sarah will be studying medical journalism in the program. During her time at UGA, Sarah participated in undergraduate research. She studied organic compounds in marine sponges at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and helped isolate an enzyme used in degradation in the microbiology department at UGA. Sarah became interested in science communication while interning at the Georgia Museum of Natural History, where she organized displays for a children’s exhibit and wrote educational flash cards for an after-school natural science program. During her senior year, she worked the science beat for The Red & Black, UGA’s independent college newspaper. For her honor’s capstone, she studied the media coverage of avian influenza virus H5N1 and its potential to evolve into a pandemic. Sarah’s interests include international health communication, especially infectious diseases.

 

Williamson, JoAnna, Ph.D. 2007  

J.D. Capital University; MBA in Marketing, The Ohio State University; B.A. Journalism, The Ohio State University.  JoAnna entered academia as a fulltime marketing faculty member in the College of Business at Ohio University, after an extensive career in marketing management for international corporations such as The Proctor & Gamble Co., regional companies such as National City Corporation, and non-profit organizations such as United Way.  Her research interests are in strategic communication and Integrated Marketing Communication ( IMC ).  JoAnna and her middle school son, Joseph, are Ohio natives who enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and physical conditioning.

 

Wojdynski, Bart, M.A. 2006  

B.A. 2001, American Studies and English, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Bart has worked writing and designing Web content for several organizations, primarily in the areas of health communication and distance education. Bart has also utilized that English degree toward various print ends, including small business grants, opinion columns, and freelance sports articles.  His primary research interests are the uses and effects of Web news media, particularly the coverage of U.S. elections and politically relevant issues. Bart is also highly interested in basketball, rock music, and his wife (Laura), though not in that order.

 

Woo, Courtney, M.A. 2007

B.A. 2003, Asian Studies, Bowdoin College. After graduating with a major in Asian Studies and a minor in English, Courtney headed to Shanghai, China where she merged both studies by teaching business English at Shanghai University. Two years later, she was hired as an editor by City Weekend magazine, a biweekly English language entertainment guide published in Shanghai and Beijing. There, she oversaw magazine production and the launch of new Shanghai publications. She has freelanced for French Vogue, China Newsweek Select and Fodor's.

 

Yoo, Sun Yong,  Ph.D. 2002  

B.A. 1992, Communication Design, Illinois Institute of Art (formerly Ray College of Design), Chicago; M.A. 1986, Housing Policy, Yonsei University (Korea); B.A. 1984, Housing and Interior Design, Yonsei University (Korea).  Sun Young has worked as an art director for Ogilvy & Mather, Korea.  She was mainly involved in print ads and creatives related to public relations for IBM , Kimberley Clark, Kodak, and other major corporations.  Her area of interest includes advertising and political campaigns.