Administration and Faculty
Administration
Dean Sam Fulwood III
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Laura BonDurant
Assistant Dean for Administration and Strategic Initiatives Kristi Plahn-Gjersvold
Assistant Dean for Budget and Technology Laura Ragusa
Assistant Dean for Experiential Learning Sarah Menke-Fish
Assistant Dean for Graduate Academic Services Katerina Kulagina
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Academic Services Justin Bernstine
Faculty
The SOC full-time faculty blends traditional academic scholarship with hands-on professional experience. Faculty regularly develop ground-breaking courses, publish books and articles, speak at national and international conferences and forums, produce award-winning films, work for social justice, and help shape ethical practices in their individual fields. Full-time faculty have won Emmys and Academy Awards, been nominated for Pulitzer Prizes, and worked on presidential campaigns. SOC also appoints outstanding adjunct faculty, who bring depth and insight into the classroom. The adjunct faculty are working professionals in all four fields of study, including reporters who cover the White House, documentary filmmakers, and political strategists.
Full-Time Faculty
University Professor P. Aufderheide
Professor W.J. Campbell, L. DeNardis, L. Jayaswal, C. Lewis, A. Massanari, A. Phelps, A. Sinnreich, L. Steinhorn, M. Stogner, R.S. Zaharna
Associate Professor R. Blair, L. Engel, J. Hall, B. Maher, W. Melillo, C. Myers, J.A. Olmsted, B. Stokes, F. Trevisan, J. Watson
Assistant Professor K. Braddock, K. Brannon, C. Borum-Chattoo, A. Eisman, J. Graf, P. Kumar, E. Menchen-Trevino, S. Menke-Fish, K. Pietroszek, G. Puglisi, S. Shahin, M. Susca, S. Talan, L. Waters-Hinson, S. Williams
Senior Professorial Lecturer D. Bernardini, T. Bryant, P. Doshi, A. Karavanov, D. Martinez, C. Parell, P. Weissmann
Professorial Lecturer R. Bhaskar, K. Llerena, J. Mollica, J. Patterson, L. Shane
Distinguished Filmmaker-in-Residence R. Williams
Distinguished Journalist-in-Residence J. Sullivan
Executive-in-Residence M. O’Rourke
Investigative Broadcaster-in-Residence C. Halsne
Journalist-in-Residence W. Gentile, L. Perri
Director of Writing Programs C. Lawrence
Emeriti Faculty
Dean Emeritus/a Larry Kirkman
Professor Emeritus/a G.P. Harnden, J.A. Hendrix, L. Kirkman, K. Montgomery, C. Simpson, R.A. Streitmatter, L.W. Wolfson, J.S. Yamauchi
Associate Professor Emeritus/a B.J. Diggs Brown, W. Cochran, J. Doolittle, J.S. Douglass, L.M. Furber, J.C. Seigle, R.A. Stack, W. Swallow, A. Zelle
Assistant Professor Emeritus/a C. Lawrence
Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer Emeritus/a R.A. Robertson
Centers and Institutes
The Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI), is an innovation lab and research center that creates, studies, and showcases media for social equity and social change. Focusing on independent, documentary and public media, as well as entertainment storytelling and comedy, the Center bridges boundaries between scholars, producers, and communication practitioners across media production, media impact, public policy, and audience engagement. The Center produces resources for the field and academic research; creates media and comedy for social good; convenes conferences and events; and works collaboratively to understand and design media that matter. CMSI is directed by Professor Caty Borum Chattoo. For more information, go to www.cmsimpact.org.
The Center for Environmental Filmmaking (CEF) is one of the leading environmental and wildlife film programs in the world. Our mission is to advance filmmaking, photography, and new forms of immersive and interactive storytelling as powerful catalysts that inform, inspire, and empower. We create transformative and innovative media, working together to address the critical environmental challenges we face today. CEF is committed to diversifying the field, increasing equity, and building compassionate communities. The Center provides an outstanding array of courses, experiential learning opportunities such as Classroom in the Wild, creative media labs, film and speaker series, and internships. In addition to accomplished and award-winning faculty, CEF partners with conservation and advocacy organizations, media companies, and a vast network of experts, scholars, and policymakers. Join CEF for a creative, high-impact program that truly makes a difference. For more information, go to www.american.edu/soc/environmental-film/.
The Investigative Reporting Workshop is a nonprofit, professional news organization publishing in-depth stories about government and corporate accountability, from the environment and health to national security and the economy. The Workshop pairs experienced professional reporters with graduate students and co-publishes with mainstream media partners and nonprofit newsrooms, including PBS Frontline and The Washington Post. The Workshop helped develop the American Press Institute’s guiding principles for nonprofit newsrooms. For more information, go to https://investigativereportingworkshop.org/.
The AU Foreign Correspondence Network (FCN) provides tools and guidance for students seeking to work as journalists and filmmakers overseas. A platform for the study of international news coverage, the FCN is bolstered by AU’s partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. It is maintained by Professor Bill Gentile, former foreign correspondent for United Press International (UPI) and Newsweek magazine. For more information, go to https://foreigncorrespondencenet.wordpress.com.
The American University Game Center (formerly the AU Game Lab) serves as a hub for experiential education, game research, and innovative production. The Game Center educates leaders in this field through a Games and Interactive Media (MFA) , Game Design (MA) and a graduate certificate in Game Design (Graduate Certificate) . It also offers courses in support of games-focused tracks within the Literature, Culture, and Technology (MA) program, and in Computer Science (MS) . Additionally, faculty at the lab occasionally support doctoral students in Communication (PhD) in game-relevant research areas. The Game Center also operates the AU Game Studio that works with external clients in education, health, social policy, journalism, and a variety of other fields to produce games with additional purposes beyond entertainment such as learning, situational awareness, behavioral and organizational change, etc. The Game Center brings together students and faculty from across the institution and is jointly administered by the School of Communication and the College of Arts and Sciences . For more information, see https://www.american.edu/gamelab/.
The Internet Governance Lab is a campus-wide intellectual center that addresses the implications of cyber policy on society and the economy. The Lab’s mission is to advance the marketplace of ideas with original research, to inform policymakers and the public, and to train the next generation of thought leaders in the area of Internet Governance. The lab is led by Faculty Directors Dr. Laura DeNardis (SOC), Dr. Derrick Cogburn (SIS & KSB), and Dr. Nanette Levinson (SIS). For more information, go to https://internetgovernancelab.org/.
Student Opportunities and Programs
Career Development
All students are supported through their stages of career development, which includes learning about professional skills, values and personality; exploring majors and careers; selecting coursework to align with academic and career goals; learning about the internship and job search application process; successfully completing and learning from internship experiences; and seeking jobs post-graduation. Many students utilize formal assistance in these areas provided by the AU Career Center as well as more informal assistance from SOC professors.
SOC Dean’s Internship Program
The School of Communication has a distinct advantage among top competitive peer institutions for the experiential learning opportunities offered with our world-class partners. Top students are recommended by faculty for the Dean’s Internship Program. Premier partners select Dean’s Interns to work with their organizations on substantive, real-world assignments that provide Dean’s Interns with recognition and future pathways to jobs. Dean’s Intern host partners vary each semester and have included APCO Worldwide, Current, The Durango Herald, Interface Media Group, NBC, Voice of America, WAMU, and Weber Shandwick. For more information, go to www.american.edu/deansinternships.
SOC L.A. Intensive Program
The School of Communication L.A. Intensive provides unparalleled Hollywood access along with crucial knowledge and the opportunity to build integral relationships for students who wish to locate to the Los Angeles area as media and entertainment professionals. This competitive program connects juniors, seniors, graduate students, and recent alumni (having graduated within the past two years) with alumni and industry professionals through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events. Application is in October for May participation. The length of the program is one week. For more information, go to https://www.american.edu/soc/experiential-learning/la-intensive.cfm.
NY Career Intensive
Designed for career exploration and in-depth networking, the annual NY Career Intensive offers a select cohort of up to 25 students exposure to career paths and industry leaders in public relations, entertainment communication, news, and film. Attendees gain access to a range of high-profile media organizations through in-depth site visits over the course of the two days and have the opportunity for exclusive access with New York-based alumni including at a special student-alumni networking event. The trip is for two and a half days, occurs in January during the week before classes start, and is co-sponsored by The Career Center, the School of Communication , and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Application is in October for January participation. Cost is $100, not including transportation nor room and board. Scholarships are available. For more information, go to www.american.edu/soc/experiential-learning/.
SOC Alumni Mentor Program
SOC’s Alumni Mentor Program bridges the gap between the classroom and the professional world as students prepare for future careers in the ever-changing field of communication. Each year SOC students who are admitted into the Alumni Mentor Program are paired with top SOC alumni for career advice through a partnership between the School of Communication , AU Career Center, and SOC Development Team. Whether it is helping mentees meet short and long-term career goals, sharing tips to improve résumés and portfolios, or helping students network their way into the communication field, professional mentors are an invaluable source of knowledge and experience for students.
SOC Student Ambassadors
The SOC Student Ambassadors are a select group of current undergraduate students in the School of Communication . They provide leadership in the areas of recruitment and retention along with engaging in community building. SOC Student Ambassadors serve under a three-part mission:
- To serve as a recruitment team, sharing personal experiences and insights with prospective SOC students/families/guests;
- To serve as mentors for incoming students, aiding in the successful transition to SOC;
- To serve as a community building team, bringing together current SOC students in a variety of ways.
SOC Ambassadors are an active and integral part of the community. The Ambassador team engages others through events and activities to the broader community in the spirit of celebration, education, and growth. All are welcome to participate in and/or contribute to the creation of activities that celebrate the excellence of the AU School of Communication . For more information, go to www.american.edu/soc/resources/soc-ambassadors.cfm.
Involvement in Student Clubs and Organizations
The School of Communication is committed to creating involvement experiences that engage students through college transitions, traditions, leadership development, and community building opportunities. Engagements both inside and outside of the classroom help students develop life skills that will bring success during the collegiate career and into the future.
Though not officially governed by any academic unit, student-run organizations are an important method of engaging with the AU community outside of the classroom. Involvement in these organizations provides peer support, an opportunity to utilize skills learned in the classroom, personal and professional development, and space to develop the ability to critically evaluate information in order to make good decisions.
Many students in the School of Communication seek out AU Student Media organizations such as The Eagle, ATV, AmLit, the Blackprint, and more. Other student organizations popular in the School of Communication include the Public Relations Student Society of American University, AU’s chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Delta Kappa Alpha film fraternity, and more. For more information, go to www.american.edu/ocl/student-involvement/.
Study Abroad (AU Abroad)
AU Abroad offers the opportunity for students to study abroad and gain full American University course credit. All students are encouraged to learn and work in another culture. For more information on AU Abroad programs, call 202-885-1320 or 866-313-0757, e-mail auabroad@american.edu or go to auabroad.american.edu.
Visions Awards
The Visions Awards celebrate the best in film, video, photography, and new media being created by SOC students. Held at the end of every spring semester, Visions is a chance to showcase outstanding work and bring the SOC community together with faculty, students, and outside sponsors. Students and their work from all skill levels receive recognition for the best work in documentary, fiction, digital/new media production, screenwriting, photography and more. For more information, go to www.american.edu/soc/visions/.
Professional Partnerships
In The Washington Post Practicum, graduate students selected in a competitive process each spring, spend as long as a year in a class that takes them inside the investigative team of one of the nation’s leading newspapers. Students work alongside Post reporters and a Pulitzer Prize-winning SOC faculty member to learn how to research, write, and fact check major investigative stories.
Named Fellowships: SOC graduate students may apply for a number of named fellowships.
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