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 leadership role, Deutsch was responsible for external and internal communications for the world’s largest beverage company.
Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Deutsch worked at the public relations firms of Shandwick USA in Bloomington, Minn., and Wells & Miller in Minneapolis. He also was a sports reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal.
Currently, Deutsch serves on the advisory boards of BoxLock, a start-up security solutions company, and Own the Room, an interactive communications training organization.
Deutsch also serves on the Board of Directors of Extra Special People, which creates transformational experiences for people with disabilities and their families; Covenant House Georgia, which supports homeless and trafficked youth; the Posse Foundation-Atlanta, which recruits, trains and connects dynamic high school students from diverse backgrounds with top colleges and universities; and the HAVE Foundation, which provides quality education for the children of the Agalta Valley of Honduras.
He is a graduate of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and holds an Executive Master of Science degree in sport business from Temple University. Deutsch and his wife, Karen, have two adult children and reside in Dunwoody, Georgia.
Mark V. Jones attended Sacramento State University and received a bachelor’s degree in film production/studies with a minor in business in 2013. After working at UC Davis and UC Merced in academic advising, he moved to Los Angeles to work in the film industry. While working in the industry, Professor Jones attended the University of Georgia’s Low-Residency MFA screenwriting program and graduated in 2018. He has film and television scripts accepted to multiple film festivals around the world.
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 director for The Red & Black Publishing, Co., an independent student media nonprofit that publishes the largest student newspaper in Georgia, provides journalism training, produces year-round daily online news and publishes a family of specialty publications including “UGA 101” and the 50,000-circulation “University of Georgia Visitors Guide.” Prior to joining The Red & Black in 2021, Varnum worked for journalistic outfits such as The Outlaw Ocean Project, Bloomberg TV & Radio, National Public Radio and Turner. Varnum earned bachelor of arts degrees in journalism and political science in 2019, and her master’s degree in journalism in 2020.
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 things NMI, he became a member of the inaugural Emerging Media Double Dawg class earning his Emerging Media Masters in 2021. Now Tyler can be found roaming the fourth floor as an NMI admin and the faculty advisor to incoming and returning undergraduate and graduate students in the New Media Certificate. He’s also teaching a variety of New Media courses and helping expand the NMI through the cultivation of industry relations.
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 all the way from recruitment to graduation. In addition, she teaches certificate courses and continues to grow the NMI network by working closely with alumni and corporate partners. Prior to moving to Athens, Sterling taught college writing and literature in the English department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she also earned a Master of Fine Arts degree.
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 efforts to further develop the rapidly growing program by designing curriculum to match the fast-paced industry and cultivating a culture of innovation. Additionally, Moss plays a valuable role in the New Media Certificate program by teaching a variety of certificate courses and leading communication efforts. Before returning to Grady College, Moss worked at UGA Public Service and Outreach to elevate UGA’s reputation as the state’s flagship, land-grant institution through writing articles, developing project management strategies and coordinating web development.
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).
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Education
MFA, Narrative Media Writing, University of Georgia, 2021
M.A., Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, 2018
B.A. (Hons), 1st Class, History, University of Liverpool, 2015
Teaching Specialties
As instructor-of-record for ADPR5920: Public Relations Communication, Cullen specializes in teaching students real-world writing skills. Known for taking a holistic approach to student development, Cullen frequently mentors students applying to internships, jobs and graduate school.
In 2021, the College of Journalism and Mass Communication recognized him as its “Public Relations Teacher of the Year.”
Solyee Kim graduated from Grady College with her doctorate degree in 2022. Her research focuses on identity, representation, and culture including diversity, equity and inclusion, and experiences of marginalized communities in public relations and media practices.
Previously, Solyee worked at a public relations firm in Atlanta and participated in a PRSA award-winning video marketing series. She also interned with a wide range of non-profit organizations including the United Nations Non-Government Liaison Service in New York, the International Rescue Committee in Atlanta, the Korean Federation of UNESCO and the Special Olympics. Prior to working in public relations, she worked as a freelance translator and interpreter traveling to the United States and the Middle East for various companies.
She earned her M.A. in journalism and mass communication with a concentration on public relations at the University of Georgia and her B.A. in German language and literature with a minor in political science and diplomacy from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, South Korea.
Brittany Walker holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication she received from Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2021. She is currently an instructor in the Department of Entertainment and Media Studies for the courses Writing for Entertainment Media and Television History.
Dr. Walker specializes in entertainment media and environmental communication. Her particular research interest is advocating for climate communication that centers adaptation and technological development, rather than calling for reducing emissions. Prior to her studies at Grady, Dr. Walker worked for various entertainment and environmental organizations in positions that involved public relations and the creation of communicative materials.
Educational Background
Ph.D. Mass Communication
University of Georgia 2021
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
M.S. Public Communication and Technology
Colorado State University 2015
Journalism and Media Communication
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 table. Chris has worked with the New Media Institute since 2015, teaching a variety of subjects throughout the New Media Certificate, Emerging Media Masters, and Master of Business and Technology programs including user experience strategy, digital design, web development, product ideation, product presentation, project management, and more. Chris’s fascination spans the creative process from ideation to execution in both digital and physical form. When Chris isn’t nerding out with the latest tech trends, you’ll find him playing intramurals or video games, renovating his home with his wife, Ali, or spending quality time with his baby boy, Banning.
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