M.A. Online: Faculty

Lucinda Austin

MEJO 724: Reputation Management

Dr. Austin’s research focuses on the influence of social media on health and crisis communication and publics’ perspectives in corporate social responsibility and organization-public relationship-building.

Bio

 

Andy Bechtel

Program Director

MEJO 711: Multi-platform Storytelling

Professor Bechtel teaches editing for print and digital media. He's interested in headline writing, social media and alternative story forms.

Bio

 

Marshéle Carter

MEJO 720: Communication Strategy and Planning

Professor Carter is a senior executive public relations practitioner with 40 years of experience in purpose-driven, integrated marketing, professional writing, media relations and team leadership.

Bio

 

Melissa Eggleston

MEJO 723: Visual Literacy and User Experience

Professor Eggleston is a researcher and designer specializing in the health field now, with a focus on trauma-informed design.

Bio

 

Rhonda Gibson

MEJO 710: Psychology of Audiences

Dr. Gibson's most recent research focuses on media portrayals of sexual minorities and the influence of these portrayals on both individual perceptions and public conversations.

Bio

 

Erica Beshears Perel

MEJO 722: The Business of Media

The director of the Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local Media, Professor Perel's work focuses on building a better future for local news and the next generation of journalists, communicators and media makers.

Bio

 

Marisa Porto

MEJO 719: Leadership and Entrepreneurship

The John S. and James L. Knight Chair in Local News and Sustainability, Professor Porto specializes in transforming organizations for the digital world.

Bio

 

Kate Sheppard

MEJO 725: Media Innovation in Practice

As a newsroom leader and educator, Professor Sheppard has a particular interest in developing sustainable business models for and facilitating audience engagement with news.

Bio

 

Xinyan (Eva) Zhao

MEJO 713: Media Analytics

Dr. Zhao’s research focuses on the roles of social media and social networks in crisis, risk and health communication using computational and quantitative methods.

Bio