Faculty & Staff

About: Carolina Acosta-Alzuru teaches public relations, cultural studies and qualitative methods. Scholarship foci: melodramas (telenovelas and Turkish dramas), culture and society. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of […]

Keith Adams is a facilities manager at Grady College.

About: Dr. Ahn teaches undergraduate-level research methods, graduate-level user experience research, communication theory, and advertising and society. Her research examines how social media, video/internet games, and immersive virtual environments influence […]

About: Emuel Aldridge is a graduate of UGA and has worked in the NMI since 2006. He currently teaches three courses at the NMI: New Media Production, teaching students how […]

Since July 2016, Thomas (TJ) Alexander has been the first point of contact for visitors and callers to Grady College.  As the dean’s office administrative associate, he provides secretarial support […]

Beth Allinger is director of finance and administration at Grady College.

Karen Andrews is director of special events and student leadership at Grady College.

Laurie Anglin has worked at Grady College since May 2010. Prior to UGA, Laurie held positions such as controller, senior accountant, auditor and teller in the accounting field for various […]

About: Dr. Karin Assmann teaches video journalism, multimedia production, reporting and storytelling, as well as graduate courses on journalism and mass communication theory. She studies the sociology and business of news […]

Sophie Barnes is an administrative associated for the Department of Journalism.

Mary Ellen Barto has more than 30 years experience working in advertising and media agencies, client marketing organizations, and as an industry consultant.  Prior to joining UGA, Mary Ellen worked […]

About: Moni Basu, otherwise known as Prof B, teaches feature and narrative nonfiction writing. She is the director of the low-residency MFA in Narrative Nonfiction and the Charlayne Hunter-Gault writer […]

Joshua Bell has worked in IT for more than 22 years, the past nine as a systems administrator at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UGA.  Joshua and […]

About: Dr. Bernabo teaches undergrad courses in global and domestic media industries and representations. Her primary research focus is global television flows, with an emphasis on translation. View Curriculum Vitae […]

About: James Biddle is an award winning filmmaker and editor who specializes in the teaching of post production workflow and management, audio design, Steadicam operation, visual efx, and the artistic […]

Matt Binford is a first year PhD student specializing in journalism and political communications. His research interests typically focus around knowledge gain and retention from nontraditional news sources. Matt’s secondary […]

After graduating Grady College in 1986, Jim Black worked in the television production industry for 30 years as a lighting cameraman for field and studio shows. Jim worked in TV news, […]

Prior to Grady College, Barbara Bond spent the last ten years in the health care industry – nine years as a lead certified pharmacy technician and one year as a […]

Prior to Grady College, Darlene Bradley worked with UGA Finance and Administration since 1994, starting in the accounts payable department then moving to the budget office. She was born in […]

ABOUT Amanda Bright teaches capstone journalism and news literacy classes and digital design. She serves as the managing editor for Newsource’s digital products and is the instructor and assistant editor for The Oglethorpe […]

About: Burns serves as publisher of The Red & Black Publishing Company, Inc., an independent student media nonprofit that publishes the largest student newspaper in Georgia, provides journalism training, produces […]

About: Dr. Cacciatore teaches research methodology and introduction to public relations in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations. His research focuses on science and risk communication with an emphasis […]

About: Thirty+ years in various television news positions including anchor, investigative reporter, executive producer and News Director. As News Director launched one of the first local news websites in the […]

Olivia Carino (AB ’18, MA ’21) graduated in December 2018 with a degree in Communication Studies and a Minor in Sociology. In July 2019, she discovered her passion for web […]

About: Glen Caruso thrives in the world of Generative AI, modern marketing, and marketing technology. With a distinguished career spanning leadership roles at industry giants like Adobe, Oracle, and Microsoft […]

About: Shira Chess teaches courses in media studies and media writing. Her research focuses on digital media studies with an emphasis on gender and gaming. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D., […]

About: Nick Chiles is a writer in residence teaching Feature Writing courses. Previously he was the writing coach at the Grady Writing Lab for journalism students and an industry fellow […]

Sung In Choi is a Ph.D. student at Grady College.

Cheryl Christopher is an administrative assistant for the Department of Entertainment and Media Studies.

About: Dr. Clementson teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level public relations. His research examines the effects of public figures and politicians dodging questions. When he isn’t on campus teaching, running experiments, and […]

Tracy Coley (ABJ ’90, MFA ’19) worked for nearly 30 years as a writer, editor, graphic designer, and student mentor in marketing and communications for the University of Georgia. She […]

Sara Cook grew up in Athens and has more than 20 years’ experience in fundraising and foundation experience.  Prior to Grady College, Sara held positions as the Senior Director of […]

Maria Cooper is an academic advisor at Grady College.

About Originally from the United Kingdom, Tom Cullen specializes in teaching public relations writing and communication. Cullen also serves as Program Manager to the Crisis Communication Coalition (CCC). View Curriculum […]

About: Charles N. Davis is the Dean of the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. He was appointed in 2013, after a […]

About: Deal teaches Graphic Communication and Advertising Message Strategy. She works with undergraduate students to develop an understanding of basic design concepts, common design challenges, idea generation, brainstorming, and content […]

Ben Deutsch retired from The Coca-Cola Company in December 2017 after a 25-year career, the last 11 years of which he served as Vice President, Corporate Communications. In this global […]

Christine Drayer is the associate director for programming for the Peabody Awards.

Jeffrey Duncan is a third-year Ph.D. student focusing on entertainment media law. His research examines the social and physical effects of entertainment media using mixed methods, including traditional legal analysis, […]

About: Dr. Eng teaches public relations foundation and ethics. His research investigates the interplay between message features and audience factors in shaping psychological and behavioral responses to messages about health, […]

Sara Ervin is a third-year PhD student in Grady College at the University of Georgia, concentrating in crisis communication. Her research interests are in emergency preparedness and disaster management. Specifically, […]

About: Dr. Evans teaches advertising and society, advertising management, and graduate level advertising foundations courses. His research interests examine consumers’ processing and evaluation of immersive and non-traditional advertising formats that […]

About: Matthew Nolte Evans is an award-winning writer and Assistant Professor of Screenwriting in the Department of Entertainment and Media Studies at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. […]

Sakil Faizullah is a seasoned communication specialist and doctoral candidate at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Atlanta. With a rich professional background spanning over […]

Carlo Finlay is the associate director for the Carmical Sports Media Institute.

Sarah Freeman (MA ’20) has more than 25 years experience in marketing and public relations. She has worked at Grady College since October 2013 following a brief time at the […]

Melissa Garber is the director for undergraduate services at Grady College.

Marcella Genut (AB ’18) joined the academic advising team in January 2022. Prior to serving Grady College as the prospective student academic advisor, she worked for the CDC and nonprofit […]

About: With an educational background in integrated marketing communications, a passion in technology, and experience in interactive digital media, Chris Gerlach brings an unorthodox background and unique perspective to the […]

About: Dr. Griffith teaches Advertising Message Strategy and the capstone campaigns course for advertising majors. She is the advisor to Grady’s student-run advertising agency. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D., English, […]

Neila Grimsley works with Dr. Grace Ahn across multiple federally-funded projects. She is currently the program coordinator for the Translation Core of the Center for Children’s Health Assessment, Research Translation, […]

Hallie Grose has worked at UGA since July 2018. Before Grady College, she worked in University Housing as an assignments specialist. Hallie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from […]

About: Dr. Hamilton teaches cultural, critical, and historical approaches to media studies. His research addresses alternative media and democratic communication. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of Iowa […]

About: Dr. Han teaches undergraduate Health Communication and Health & Risk Communication Campaigns courses and graduate Mass Communication Research Method and Technology and Health courses. Research foci include health communication […]

About: Dr. Han’s research focuses on global media, race and ethnicity, Korean popular culture, and the cultural intersections between East Asia and Latin America. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D., Cinema […]

Taejah Harper (ABJ ’20) serves as development associate for Grady College. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Grady, as well as a minor in sociology from Franklin College. […]

About Bryan Harris is the Founder and CEO of 25 Hits, a strategic communications consulting firm. He a 20+ year veteran in the communications field who has led complex and […]

About: Haley R. Hatfield is a PhD student in Mass Communication concentrating in Advertising at the University of Georgia. Haley’s research explores race-related media effects with an emphasis on Whiteness and […]

About: Dr. Herndon teaches the introductory course Media, News and Consumers, Business of News, Financial Journalism and Food Journalism as a special topics course and as independent study. He holds […]

Amy Hicks has more than 20 years experience in customer service and community engagement. She has worked at Grady College since March 2024 after 16.5 years as a public library […]

Missy Hill has more than 18 years of experience in marketing, advertising and corporate communications. She has worked at Grady College since 2015. Prior to working at the University of […]

About: Dr. Himelboim, the Thomas C. Dowden Professor of Media Analytics and director of the SEE Suite, studies the role social media plays in news, politics and international communication. Through […]

About Andrea Hudson teaches a variety of journalism classes, including photojournalism and reporting and writing across platforms. Her research is grounded in women’s studies and visual communication. View Curriculum Vitae […]

About: Dr. Janice Hume teaches media history, ethics & diversity, and media credibility. Her research concerns American journalism history, public memory and media coverage of death. View Curriculum Vitae Education […]

Anne Hurne is a student affairs professional at Grady College.

Brown James is a second-year Ph.D. student and lecturer at Grady. Using primarily qualitative methods, his research focuses on the intersection of news media and the American political and legal […]

About Dr. Yan Jin currently teaches undergraduate Crisis Communication course and graduate Crisis Communication and Strategic Conflict Management, ADPR Theory, and Mass Communication Theory courses. Her primary research programs are […]

About: Mark E. Johnson teaches photojournalism, multimedia journalism, video journalism and graphic design courses, serves as the college’s Chief Technology Officer and is director of the National Press Photographers Association […]

Johnston has covered sporting events on every level in his 33 years as a writer and editor for daily newspapers and websites. He was recognized as one of the country’s […]

About: Lori Johnston teaches a variety of journalism classes, including reporting and writing across platforms, religion reporting, home and garden reporting, critical writing, feature writing and investigative reporting. View Curriculum Vitae […]

About: Dr. Jones directs the George Foster Peabody Awards, and is Lambdin Kay Professor in the Entertainment and Media Studies Department.  His research specialty is television studies, with a focus […]

Sam Jones received his master’s degree in journalism from UGA in 2020. Upon graduation, he began writing a daily newsletter and regular features for MLSsoccer.com, the official site of Major […]

Education Ph.D., Yale Law School J.D., University of Michigan Law School M.A., University of St. Andrews View Curriculum Vitae About Thomas E. Kadri joined the University of Georgia School of […]

About: Dr. Kavoori is currently engaged in a program of autoethnographic and narrative writing. View Curriculum Vitae Education MFA, Narrative Non-Fiction writing, University of Georgia (currently enrolled). Study in A […]

Diana Keough (MFA ’21) is an award-winning veteran multimedia journalist who covered a broad range of health and science topics on the medical beat for news outlets including The (Cleveland) […]

About Dr. Ted Kim manages and coordinates the programming and administrative aspects of the Communication and Media (CAM) Fellows Program at the Cox International Center. His duties include providing instructional, […]

About Dr. Kim is the director of the Cox International Center and the executive director of the Cox Center CAM Fellows Program. His research focuses on the interaction between advertising […]

Jaemin Kim is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations. His research interest attempts to interweave three different pillars: advertising, sports communication, and media technologies. Specifically, […]

Teressa King is the executive assistant to the dean at Grady College.

Leslie Klein is a Ph.D. student in Grady College concentrating in Journalism. Her research explores the intersection of media law and scholastic journalism. She aims to use her research to […]

About: Dr. Kohn teaches advanced screenwriting, producing for film/television, documentary film, and qualitative methods; directs the Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions Study Abroad Programs; directs Roger Ebert’s Film Festival; […]

About: Neil Landau is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, author and screenwriting professor. View Curriculum Vitae Education Master of Fine Arts, Screenwriting, University of Georgia Bachelor of Arts, Film/Television, University of […]

About: Landrum teaches Graphic Communication and Advertising Message Strategy. She works with undergraduate students to develop an understanding of basic design concepts, common design challenges, idea generation, brainstorming, and content […]

David Lawson in a lecturer at Grady College.

About:: His professional background includes work in both the print and broadcast media. He’s currently the award-winning Atlanta Falcons Beat Writer for The Atlanta Journal Constitution. He has appeared on […]

About: Sanghoon Lee teaches in our MFA Film, Television and Digital Media program. When he is not teaching, he is a director, producer, writer and cinematographer for independent film projects. […]

Krysten Lewis joined the academic advising team in July 2019.  Prior to serving Grady College as an advisor, she worked as an academic advisor in the UGA Honors Program.  Krysten […]

About: Alexia (Lexie) Little is a first-year PhD student specializing in journalism. Her research interests center around media history, specifically how media have constructed conceptions of collective memory, culture, and […]

About: Dr. Lough studies visual communication and solutions journalism, with an emphasis on photojournalism. He teaches graduate-level visual communication method & theory, as well as undergraduate photography and journalism ethics […]

Ana Mackenzie brings nearly two decades of experience as an actor and filmmaker to her position with the Peabody Awards. After working with top talent on popular television series and […]

Helen Mahany joined the academic advising team in July 2019. She is a proud UGA alumna of 2016. After graduation, she moved to Nashville to work at Vanderbilt University Medical […]

About Booker T. Mattison teaches Screenwriting and Directing for the Screen courses, in addition to creative jobs as an author and filmmaker. View Curriculum Vitae Education Master of Fine Arts, […]

Tyler was first acquainted with the New Media Institute as an Entertainment and Media Studies student. In order to explore his growing interest in user experience design, development, and all […]

Don McClain is an application programmer specialist at Grady College.

About: Dr. Juan (pronounced as “Dren”) Meng is the Head of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations in the College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of […]

Samantha Meyer (ABJ ’13, MA ’14) graduated from the University of Georgia majoring in public relations and women’s studies during her undergraduate studies, and Grady’s 4+1 program for her master’s […]

About: Vicki Michaelis is the director of the John Huland Carmical Sports Media Institute at UGA. She teaches classes in the institute’s undergraduate Sports Media Certificate program. View Curriculum Vitae […]

About: Dr. Mohammed teaches courses in global media industries and entertainment. Her research focuses on Global South media industries, feminisms, decolonization and social movements.   Personal website: wunpini.com  Other Affiliations: African Studies […]

Stephanie Moreno (ABJ ’06, BA ’06, MA ’20) is the director of the Georgia Scholastic Press Association, a 95-year-old organization housed at Grady College that supports middle and high school […]

Joann Morgan was born into a Marine Corps family and grew up on the east coast of the US. She is excited to join Grady and feels her experience from […]

Leah Moss serves as the Emerging Media faculty advisor in the New Media Institute. An alumna of the first cohort of the Emerging Media Master’s concentration, Moss now leads the […]

Diane Murray serves as Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach for the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. Prior to joining Grady, she served […]

ABOUT Professor Musgrove is an 8-time Southeast Emmy winning filmmaker. Her work explores places of vulnerability and inspiration in the human condition, often involving scientific research and fantastical imagery. She […]

Rongting Niu is a first-year doctoral student in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Grady College. Her research focuses on psychological processing in crisis and risk communication. Educational […]

About: Part-time instructor Ramsey Nix previously worked as Assistant Professor of Mass Communications at Piedmont College, where she taught journalism courses and advised the student newspaper. Previously, she served as […]

Eric Novotny (PhD – Communication, Michigan State University, 2020) is a postdoctoral research associate in the Games and Virtual Environments Lab (GAVEL) within the Grady College of Mass Communication and […]

About: Nowak is responsible for developing and managing the College’s new Center for Health and Risk Communication, which seeks to foster an interdisciplinary approach to health and risk-related Communication projects, […]

Kajal (pronounced Kah-juhl) Patel graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in human development and family sciences. She previously served as […]

Ashley Patterson is an Atlanta-based script supervisor who has worked on a wide range of film productions: from independent films such as “Whistleblower” and “Devil’s Knot,” to visual-effect driven films […]

ABOUT Dr. Jonathan Peters is the head of the Department of Journalism and holds a faculty appointment in the School of Law. He teaches and researches media law and policy. […]

About: Dr. Pjesivac teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in digital storytelling, public opinion, and international communication. She studies international and cross-cultural communication, media trust and credibility, and effects of digital […]

Marilyn Primovic seeks to understand the ways media influences consumer decision making. Completing both her B.A. in journalism and M.A. in advertising and public relations from the Grady College in four years, […]

Abbie Pruitt works as a business manager in the Business Office at Grady College.

About: Dr. Read teaches Media Strategy and Insights and Analytics. Research interests are media psychology/effects, identity and representation, and psychophysiology. View Curriculum Vitae Education: Ph.D., Mass Communication, Indiana University M.A., […]

Grady College builds on the legacy of its outstanding faculty, many of whom grace us with their presence for years following their retirements. If you’re looking for a beloved Grady […]

About: Karen Miller Russell is Jim Kennedy Professor of New Media and Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor, teaching public relations and media history and advising the college’s Integrated ADPR master’s […]

Karen Andrea Robayo Sanchez is a Ph.D. student in Mass Communication and Public Relations Studies at the University of Georgia. Her research interests are international communication, leadership, gender equality and […]

Christie Sanders joined the academic advising team in March 2024.  Prior to serving Grady College, she worked as an academic advisor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.  A […]

Jackson Schroeder is the public relations specialist for Grady College’s external relations team. He graduated from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism with a bachelor’s degree in journalism news […]

Rebekah Seabolt has been global studies coordinator since 2021. She earned a bachelor of arts in public health from Georgia College and State University in 2011 ad a master of […]

Ja Kyung Seo is a doctoral student in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations at UGA. Her research interests lie in understanding the effects of interactive media technologies such as […]

Brittany Shivers’ research focuses on the psychological processing of disinformation and conspiracy theories, as well as the societal implications of information disorder exacerbated by social media. She is also interested […]

About: Chris Shumway teaches classes in Video Journalism and manages Grady’s video production facilities, which include a digital newsroom, TV studio and field equipment supply room. View Curriculum Vitae Education […]

Jennifer Smith graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College with her BBA in Marketing in 2011. She has been with UGA for the past 11 years working with the UGA Graduate School, […]

About: Ms. Smith teaches Graphic Communication, Advanced Graphic Communication and the History of Graphic Communication. She is a faculty adviser to Talking Dog, the student-led advertising and PR agency. View […]

About Dr. Springston teaches public relations, media and health, and research methods. Research foci include health and risk communications. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D., Organizational Communication, The Ohio State University […]

Biographical Statement Nandita Sridhar is a PhD student at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Department of Entertainment and Media Studies. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, Nandita spent […]

Peabody is happy to announce that Maggie Stephens has joined our team in the newly created position of Awards Coordinator. Maggie will oversee the administration of the awards process, events […]

Kyla Sterling began her New Media Institute journey in 2018 as an Emerging Media Master’s student. Now, as faculty advisor for the New Media Certificate program, she oversees students’ journeys […]

About: Dr. Strausbaugh teaches advertising message strategy, campaigns, and graphic communications. Service areas include acting as Faculty Advisor to the UGA AdClub. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D., Mass Communication, University […]

Jonathon Streetman is the IT Manager at Grady College.

About: David Welch Suggs, Jr., is an associate professor at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. in July 2011 after careers as a journalist, as a policy advocate, […]

About: Dr. Sun teaches Public Relations Management and Crisis Communication. Her research specialization focuses on corporate communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D. in Communication, University […]

Chris Thompson graduated from Athens Technical College with an associate’s degree focused on applied science in emerging technologies. He comes from a long background in the service industry as well […]

Kayla Timmons is the payroll specialist at Grady College.

Andrew Todd is a broadcast engineer at Grady College.

Dr. Trude earned his PhD in May 2022. His research interest is on the utilization and evolution of new and emergent forms of media, and how the changing uses of […]

Wes Unruh is the CACHE Lab administrator at Grady College.

Charlotte Norsworthy Varnum (ABJ ’19, MA ’20) is a part-time instructor at Grady College and serves as program coordinator for the Cox Institute’s News Literacy Certificate. Varnum is also executive […]

About: Ralitsa Vassileva teaches undergraduate Newsource and Multiplatform Newsroom Projects courses. Her Newsource class learns how to report, produce, and present newscasts that go live on local cable. Her Multiplatform […]

About: Dr. Vlad’s research focuses on media challenges in emerging democracies and impact of midcareer training programs for journalists. He conducted workshops for journalists around the world. Education Ph.D. Philology, […]

About Dr. Walker’s teaching specialties focus on how social justice and race issues are covered in journalism. View Curriculum Vitae Education Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of South Carolina M.A., Mass […]

About: Originally from Jupiter, Florida, Megan Ward fled the gator state to be a double-dawg, earning both her Bachelors and Masters in Public Relations from Grady College. An NMI alumna herself, […]

Joseph Watson, Jr. is the inaugural Carolyn Caudell Tieger Professor of Public Affairs Communications at Grady College. In this role, Watson oversees the first program in the nation to provide […]

About: View Curriculum Vitae Experience John Weatherford serves on the faculty of the New Media Institute in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. […]

About Sonja West is a faculty member in the School of Law and was recently named the inaugural holder of the Otis Brumby Distinguished Professorship in First Amendment Law, a […]

Danna Williams is the business manager at Grady College.

ABOUT Keith Wilson is a director, creative producer, and visual artist whose work has been exhibited at Sundance, Berlinale, South by Southwest, Hot Docs, the U.S. National Gallery of Art, […]

About: Dr. Wojdynski teaches courses in multimedia journalism, interactive media, and psychological effects of communication technology. He researches the effects of design and presentation characteristics in digital media on attention, […]

Jiyoung Yeon is a first-year Ph.D. student fascinated by the impact of humor and entertainment media on citizen attitudes. Exploring online humor, memes, and uncivil content using psychology and quantitative […]

About: Hye Jin Yoon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Georgia. Her research expertise is in humor advertising and humor […]

Aarum Youn-Heil is a PhD student in Mass Communication and Entertainment Media Studies at the University of Georgia. Her research interest is interracial communication and how it relates to media. […]

Dayne Young (ABJ ’11) is the program coordinator for the Carmical Sports Media Institute and the New Media Institute, a role he began in 2022. He graduated from the University […]

Wenqing Zhao is a doctoral student in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations at UGA. Her research revolves around health, crisis, and conflict communication. She is a lab manager […]

Sihao Zhou is a Ph.D. student concentrating in public relations at the University of Georgia. His research interests are health and science communication, social media data analytics, and the frames […]