New faculty to join department this fall - Saint Louis University

the communicator
NEWSLETTER OF THE SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION
Issue 1 Spring 2011
Students and faculty utilize new digital labs
In This
Issue:
Page 1
Students, faculty
utilize digital labs
Page 2
New focus areas
in Communication
Department
Page 3
Introducing new
Comm faculty
Page 4
Student clubs offer
opportunities to
network
Page 5
Faculty, students
participate in study
abroad
Newsletter
Contributors
SLU PRSSA Members
Maria Garcia
Fallon Griffith
Katie Hamilton
Annie Hull
Lizzy Martin
Dan Ritter
Zenita Thomas
Katie Williams
In the summer of 2009, the Department
of Communication began a rejuvenation
project focused on bringing its curriculum
and facilities to the forefront of the
always-evolving digital age. At the start of
the following fall semester, students were
welcomed back to Xavier Hall with new
digital labs and a student collaboration
center.
The renovation allowed for
students and professors to integrate the
research and theory discussed in class
with new digital media technology. Former
Department Chair, Kathleen Farrell, who
saw the project through last year, noted,
“The Communication Department moving
in this new direction is part of the reason
they are going to the collaboration lab.”
Freshman Liz Hoch is already spending
time in the lab. “Right now I’m working on
a video for Communication 100,” Hoch
said. “The assignment was to create a
video on any type of communication; we
chose long distance relationships.”
The state-of-the-art facilities give
students the ability to gain experience,
develop skills, and stay up-to-date with
technology that will be essential to many
communication-related professional
fi elds. Students from outside the
department are fi nding use in the labs
as well. French and anthropology major,
Lida Riley, expressed her interest in the
labs. “I enjoy coming here to use the
computers and printer for Photoshop and
other photo programs,” she said.
The new labs have also provided
student job opportunities. “I work here
Students work on class projects at the Comm
Department’s Collaboration Center
14 hours a week and sometimes I pick
up extra hours,” said sophomore, Ariana
Martinez, “I pretty much live here.” She
further notes, “It exposes me to more
programs and I have the chance to help
other people as well.” Senior Katie Kibler
said, “There are a lot of really great people
that work here, and it’s a great opportunity
for students because the hours are
fl exible.”
Both faculty and students have
enjoyed the new addition and fi nd many
ways to incorporate the multimedia
production and research rooms into the
communication program. Professors
have worked technology-driven projects
into their courses, and students enjoy the
ability to work on group and independent
projects in the student collaboration center.
“The two cameras that are used the most
are the DSL and Canon cameras,” said
Martinez. “As far as usage goes, more
people are utilizing the labs because more
teachers are incorporating technology into
their classes.”
OUR MISSION: The Department of Communication studies human symbolic practices. The Department
educates students to become culturally sensitive participants in democratic dialogue and ethically responsible
leaders in fi elds such as journalism, communication research, public relations, advertising, human resources,
public service and teaching...
The Communicator Page 1

New focus areas give students more choices
The undergraduate program has recently introduced
fi ve new areas of study that give students
the chance to excel in what they do best. The basic
core electives are still required before taking courses
pertaining to the students’ area of study.
New areas of focus with a description are as follows:
Advertising and Public Relations
• Offers the chance to develop skills used by Advertising
and PR practitioners, including the criticalthinking
and strategic-development necessary for
campaign development.
• Students have the chance to network among instructors
as well as professionals in the industry
through the National Student Ad Competition and
the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Communication, Culture and Community
• Helps students prepare for the understanding of a
diverse society through dimensions such as race,
ethnicity, nationality, ability, gender, age and sexual
orientation.
• Careers associated with the intercultural skills
gained here are in fi elds such as human resources,
non-profi t and governmental administration, advocacy,
arbitration and community organizing.
Leadership, Organizing and Relating
• This concentration helps students explore the diverse
means of organizing when communicating
among diverse groups of people. Individuals develop
skills in essence of transferring organized
messages among interpersonal, group, organizational
and social contexts.
• Students in this focus will begin to understand the
value in developing a close knit connection among
others for effectively communicating in groups.
• Professional careers among this fi eld can lead to
both commercial and non-profi t sectors.
Journalism and Media Studies
• Students in this concentration learn the skills to
achieve in a constantly evolving media landscape.
Courses focus on the importance of adapting with
the development of social media in relation to traditional
media.
• Among our many campus facilities, students are
provided with opportunities to gain real world experience
while working with The University News,
KSLU (the student-run radio station), and SLU TV.
Communication Studies
• With increasing fast-paced work environments,
students continue to seek knowledge in careers
that are emerging among us. Expertise in written
and oral communication skills is a key skill employers
inquire.
• Individuals tailor their courses according to specifi c
personal and career goals. Those seeking a Communication
degree prepare themselves for further
education in graduate studies such as law, human
resources, business, management, education and
other liberal arts and social sciences.
With an increasing amount of students enrolling
in Saint Louis University’s Communication Department,
students may now choose from a variety of concentrations.
All concentration areas allow students to
hone in on a specifi c professional interest while also
exploring various theoretical perspectives and techniques
throughout the communication discipline.
Across all of these concentrations, however, is
our new emphasis on digital storytelling. “Through this
emphasis students gain a mastery of the skills necessary
to become lifelong learners and users of technology.
Our new major is built upon a selected foundational
beliefs,” said Department Chair Dr. Robert
Krizek. “First, we believe that anyone can be taught a
specifi c technology, but SLU Communication students
shouldn’t be just “anyone.” Our students gain the skills
required to continually update their knowledge and use
of technology. Second, in addition to being able to create
effective oral and written messages, students coming
out of our new major will have skill in digital messaging.
They will be able to contextualize information
through a variety of techniques associated with digital
storytelling.”
The growth of this department has just begun
and with the newest concentration areas, digital storytelling
focus and technological innovations, we are
excited to see where we’ll be headed next.
The Communicator Page 2

Introducing the new Department of Communication faculty
This year, the Department of Communication
welcomed three new faculty members with unique
teaching and research interests: Dr. Amber Hinsley, Dr.
Katie Place and Dr. Zachary Schaefer.
Dr. Amber Hinsley grew up in Troy, Mo., and
she received her bachelor’s
degree in communication with
an emphasis in journalism
from Truman State University
in Kirksville, Mo. After
completing her undergraduate
education, Hinsley worked
as a reporter and editor
for the community section
of the Los Angeles Times.
Hinsley received her master’s
degree in journalism and
Dr. Hinsley
mass communication from
Kansas State University. She
completed her Ph.D. in journalism at the University of
Texas at Austin. While at the University of Texas and
Kansas State University, Hinsley served as an adjunct
professor and taught classes at both universities.
SLU appealed to Hinsley for several reasons.
The university wanted a journalism professor who
specialized in multi-platform journalism. Multi-platform
journalism involves journalistic writing through multiple
mediums from traditional, print journalism to writing
for websites and other online forums. Hinsley also
likes that SLU has a communication department that
offers areas of specialty rather than a specifi c school
of journalism typically found at other universities. She
also enjoys her new faculty members and the sense
of collegiality in SLU’s communication department. “I
really like that it is a young faculty and that everyone
wants to work together. There is a great sense of
respect among staff members, and it is just a good
place to work,” Hinsley said.
Hinsley currently teaches Communication
210: Journalism and Newswriting and will be teaching
Special Topics: Contemporary Issues in Media in the
fall of 2011. Hinsley has visited 46 of the 50 states,
six foreign countries and her favorite ice cream is oreo
cookie.
Dr. Katie Place is originally from Richmond, Va.
and received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees
in communication from Virginia Tech. After receiving her
master’s, Place worked as a public affairs and public
relations practitioner in the Washington, D.C. area. In
2010, Place received her Ph.D. in communication from
the University of Maryland in College Park, Md. During
her time at the University of Maryland, she was a
graduate teaching assistant
and taught classes in public
relations writing, news
editing and public relations
techniques.
SLU impressed
Place because of its focus on
the students and community
service. “It’s inspiring to
come to a university that
has such an ethical, serviceminded
focus and to work
with faculty members who
have a passion for teaching,”
said Dr. Place. She also serves as the faculty mentor
for SLU’s chapter of the Public Relations Student
Society of America (PRSSA). SLU’s chapter of PRSSA
accomplished a great deal of work in one year and
Place said she and the chapter offi cers have big plans
for the group to do even more in the future.
Dr. Place currently teaches Public Relations
Writing, Public Relations Principles and Practices, and
Public Relations Case Studies and holds research
interests regarding ethics, gender and power in public
relations contexts. She will also be teaching a new
course in the fall, International Public Relations. In her
free time, Place enjoys listening to music, traveling and
walking her yorkie-poodle mix, Juno, through Forest
Park.
Dr. Zachary
Schaefer grew up in
Belleville, Ill., and attended
SLU as an undergraduate
originally majoring in premed.
However, after taking
Introduction to Human
Communication and Culture
with Dr. Robert Krizek,
Schaefer loved the class so
much that he switched his
major to communication. He
Dr. Schaefer
Dr. Place
also received his master’s
degree in communication
from SLU. Schaefer attended
Texas A&M University and received his Ph.D. in
organizational communication. During his four years
at Texas A&M, Schaefer was a teaching assistant and
taught seven different classes. In addition, Schaefer
worked for a company that set up mock trials in
cases regarding complex, intellectual property rights.
Schaefer said this was the most enjoyable work he has
ever done. (Continued on page 5)
The Communicator Page 3

Clubs offer networking, career development opportunities
Want to get involved? The Communication
Department’s two clubs, the Public Relations
Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the
Advertising Club, are always recruiting new members.
During the 2010-2011 academic year, members of the
clubs mixed fun and hard work by hosting professional
speakers, planning special
events and competing in national
competitions.
Under the advising of Dr.
Katie Place, PRSSA recently held
its inaugural CareerConnections
Day on March 25. The club hosted
a panel of professionals in the
Communication fi eld who spoke to
students about their experiences
in their areas of expertise,
which included public relations,
advertising, broadcast journalism
and social media. After the panel, PRSSA students
offered resume tips and put on a skit of the “do’s and
don’ts” of an interview. Throughout the year, PRSSA
invited guest speakers from the public relations fi eld to
attend club meetings and offer tips about job searches,
internships, resumes, cover letters, and writing styles.
PRSSA meets every other Wednesday in
Xavier Hall and encourages everyone to join, with
national membership dues set at only $55 a year. As
a member of PRSSA student have the opportunity to
take advantage of Public Relations Society of America
Ad Club students and faculty
compete at NSCAC District Finals
(PRSA)-sponsored network events at a reduced cost
as well as unlimited access to PRSSA job center and
PRSSA merit scholarships.
Under the advising of Bill Tyler, the Advertising
Club works as an on-campus advertising agency for
clubs and organizations on campus, as well as some
local non-for-profi t organizations.
The Ad Club has worked on an
Anti-Alcohol Abuse Campaign
for SLU to raise awareness of
excessive drinking and creating a
logo for SLU’s Biz Tech Club. The
Ad Club has also taken tours of
some local St. Louis Advertising
Agency such as Moosylvania and
Toky Agency. Some members of
the Ad Club also participate in the
American Advertising Federation’s
yearly National Student Advertising
Competition. This spring, some members created
a complete “Inspiring Second Glances” advertising
campaign for JC Penny and then pitched their campaign
proposal to a panel of judges in Kansas City, Mo. The
Ad Club placed 4 th in the district. The Ad Club meets
every other Monday in Xavier Hall and encourages
anyone to join.
The Communication Department is in the
process of creating a Digital Media Club and it also
features student-run organizations pertaining to
journalism, such as U-News, SLU-TV and KSLU.
Pros give career advice at inaugural CareerConnections Day
Saint Louis University and the SLU Public Relations
Student Society of America sponsored its fi rst
CareerConnections Day on Friday, March 25 in Xavier
Hall, Room 332. The purpose of the event was to
allow students to hear personal testimonies from
professionals in the fi elds of advertising, journalism,
media relations and public relations.
The key speakers included Anne
Castellano from the Switch Marketing
Agency, Maggie Crane from KMOV
News 4, Pam Powell from the Hauser
Group, and Tressa L. Robins from
BurrellesLuce. Panelists offered
insights about the expectations and qualifi cations
that are needed within each particular fi eld. The most
valuable advice was:
�� Networking is important
�� Be skilled in every aspect of your respective fi eld
�� Prove that you are passionate about the fi eld
�� Inquire about internships for hands-on experience
within your fi eld of interest
�� It takes time and patience to fi nd your niche
CareerConnections Day is benefi cial because it
allows SLU students to network with the panelists and
hear their career journeys, explore career
opportunities, and ask the panelists
questions about suggestions and tips to
improve their chance of “getting their foot
in the door.” “I feel that this event was
one of the most helpful events that I have
attended about a particular career path
and I left this event with a whole new perspective and I
learned so much,” said Shaniqua Jones, an attendee.
SLU students who are interested in seeking careers
in advertising, journalism, public relations and media
relations can attend this event again next spring.
The Communicator Page 4

Communication students, faculty participate in study abroad program
Saint Louis University
students have the unique
opportunity to study
alongside peers from 65
different countries. At the
university’s campus in
Madrid, Spain, students
can take communication SLU Madrid Campus
courses, as well those regarding the arts, sciences,
business and engineering.
Students who study abroad for a semester, a
summer, or an entire curriculum gain a competitive
edge. “Being abroad, I was in classes with people from
all over the world. This really enhanced the discussions
we were able to have in class and this multicultural
perspective caused me to see things in a new light and
consider ideas I’d never thought about before,” said
communication student Erika Miller. Study abroad
students use their classroom knowledge to explore
different cultures.
Communication students and faculty alike are
packing their bags to travel to Madrid this summer.
Dr. Chris Chavez is among those heading to Madrid
to teach. “I’m very honored to teach a summer course
at SLU’s Madrid Campus,” Chavez said. “I’m teaching
Analysis of Popular Culture and am very interested to
getter a better sense of the impact of globalization on
culture, particularly from the Spanish perspective.”
The 2011 U.S. News & World Report ranked
Saint Louis University as
one of the best colleges
for study abroad. For
more information on the
study abroad program,
visit the SLU study
abroad website at http://
www.slu.edu/x26920.
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SLU Madrid Campus
...Continued from page 3. Introducing new faculty New faculty to join department this fall
Schaefer knew he eventually wanted to
return to St. Louis, and SLU’s Communication
Department offered the position of a visiting professor
in organizational communication. Schaefer jumped
at the opportunity to work at SLU and is excited to
be teaching here. “I really like the idea of taking the
knowledge one obtains and sharing it to improve the
community, businesses, organizations and society as a
whole. For me, education is all about opportunity, and
that’s one of the things I really try to get my students to
think about,” said Dr. Schaefer. Schaefer also enjoys
the Communication Department and its sense of
collaboration. “I like the tight-knit department. It’s a
very collaborative department, and people share ideas
and resources to try to help you develop as a scholar
rather than compete against you. That competition is a
very common trait in many academic departments but
not here,” Schaefer said.
Schaefer currently teaches Introduction to
Human Communication and Culture and will be
teaching Communication Research and Organizational
Communication in the fall. He enjoys many high-risk
activities including extreme sports and motorcycling.
He is also going skydiving for the third time on his
birthday on August 25. He is a fan of the Cardinals and
Rams and enjoys spending his free time staying active
and keeping both his mind and body in good shape.
Kevin Wright, Ph.D. (Department Chair) - Dr. Wright
joins the department from University of Oklahoma.
He holds teaching and research interests in the
areas of computer-mediated communication, health
communication and interpersonal communication.
Jamel Bell, Ph.D. - Dr. Bell joins the department
from Boston College and holds research and teaching
interests in gender, race and ethnicity and media
studies.
Diana Carlin, Ph.D. - Dr. Carlin joins the department
from University of Kansas and will serve as the Saint
Louis University Vice President for Graduate Education.
She holds research and teaching interests in
political communication and debate.
Hyunmin Lee, Ph.D. - Dr. Lee joins the department
from University of Missouri. She holds research and
teaching interests in public relations, health communication
and social media.
The Communicator Page 5

COMM Kudos: Faculty and graduate student accomplishments
In 2010, Dr. Rob Anderson published
“Tao, Dialogue, and Cultural Tensions: The Oliver
Invitation,” in the volume Robert T. Oliver. In
addition, a stage adaptation of the 1957 Martin
Buber-Carl Rogers dialogue (taken from a 1997
book and transcript by Anderson and Cissna) appeared
in the European journal Yiunim Behinuch
(Studies in Education). Rob’s scholarship has now
been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
German, and Hebrew.
The SLU Ad Club placed fourth in the
National Student Advertising Competition district
competition in Kansas City on April 15.
Dr. Matt Carlson recently published his
book, “On the Condition of Anonymity: Unnamed
Sources and the Battle for Journalism” (University
of Illinois Press), which explores
the impact of a series of recent controversies
involving unnamed sources at
leading news organizations. From Deep
Throat to WMDs, this book questions not
only how problems with unnamed sources
arise, but also how discussions of sources
morph into a conversation aiming to
defi ne the role of journalism in the early
years of the 21st century.
Dr. Mary Gould, co-director of the SLU
College-in-Prison Program (SLU-CIPP), has received
a 2011 President’s Research Fund Grant
for her study “Assessing the social and intellectual
effects of a college education program at the
Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional
Center.” The research project is designed to assess
the immediate effect of a prison education
program on program participants and the prison
community by conducting mixed methodology research
focused on the fi rst year of the pilot AA degree
program sponsored by the SLU-CIPP.
Dr. Amber W. Hinsley has published an
article in Journalism. Gil de Zuniga, H., Lewis,
S., Willard, A., Valenzuela, S., Lee, J.K., and
Baresch, B.(2011). Blogging as a form of journalism:
A model linking perception, motivation, and
behavior. Journalism 12(5), 1-21. In August, Dr.
Hinsley will serve as a host committee member for
the 2011 Association for Education in Journalism
and Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference in
St. Louis in August.
Dr. Dan Kozlowski received the 2011 SLU
Robert A. Johnston, S.J. Award for Teaching in
Social Sciences. Kozlowski has also received a
research leave for the fall 2011 semester to complete
his book, “Originalism, Freedom of Expression,
and the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Dr. Elizabeth Richard presented a paper
entitled “Fighting a two-dimensional war: The case
of Flat Daddy” at the 2011 Western States Communication
Association conference, where she
also served as Chair for the Communication Theory
and Research interest group. Additionally, she
presenter her paper, “Digital media projects
and the Jesuit identity,” at the 2010 Association
of Jesuit Colleges and Universities-
Communication Conference.
Dr. Zach Schaefer has published a
book chapter. Schaefer, Z.A., Conrad, C.,
Cheney, C., May, S.K., & Ganesh, S. (2010).
Economic Justice and Communication
Ethics: Considering Multiple Points of
Intersection. In The handbook for communication
ethics (pp. 436-456). New York: Routledge.
Additionally, Dr. Schaefer will present two
papers at the 2011 International Communication
Association conference.
Dr. April Trees recently became the new
Director of Graduate Studies for the communication
department. In April, she presented a workshop
on Managing Confl ict Constructively for Vista
Volunteers from Missouri and Kansas. She is also
teaching an interpersonal communication class
through the Jesuit Commons distance learning
program for students living in a refugee camp in
Malawi this summer.
Professor Bill Tyler has published his fi rst
children’s book, “Who Let The Mongoose Loose?”
It is written in verse and colorfully illustrated
to encourage early reading. Tyler’s youngest
son is the artist. The book is
available on Amazon.com and
BarnesandNoble.com.
The Communicator Page 6