Department of Communication
Administrative Faculty and Staff
Education
Ph.D., Speech Communication, Southern Illinois University
Biography
Dr. Scott Dillard received his B.A. in Speech Communication from Blackburn College and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Dr. Dillard’s specialty is in performance studies. He has published articles in journals such as Text and Performance Quarterly and Storytelling, Self, and Society. He is the co-author with his colleague Dr. Janet Hoffmann of the textbook The Speaker’s Voice. Dr. Dillard is also a performer who has created a number of one-person shows, acted in local theatre, and done voice over work.
Evelina Galova-Iossifov
Media Lab Coordinator, Advisor to WGUR 95.3 FM, The Colonnade, GC360, and Bobcat MultiMedia (BMM)
409 Terrell Hall
478-445-8684
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Georgia College & State University
Bachelor of Sciences, Physical Education, NSA (University), Sofia, Bulgaria
Education
B.S., Education, Deaf Education
Valdosta State University
Mass Communication Faculty
Christina Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, MSCM Coordinator, Internship Coordinator
207 Terrell Hall
478-445-8267
Education
Ph.D., Mass Communication, The University of Iowa
Research
Community Journalism, Sociology of News, Identity and Qualitative Research Methods
Teaching
Race, Class, Gender in Media, Investigative Journalism, Community Journalism, Advocacy Journalism, Feature Writing, Sports Reporting, Professional Media Writing, Media Literacy, Enterprise Journalism, Media Management, GC1Y Critical Thinking: We the People, Interviewing & Listening
Mikkel Christensen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Advisor to PRSSA
216 Terrell Hall
478-445-8259
Education
Ph.D., University of Missouri
Research
Crisis communication, news consumption and political knowledge, political communication.
Teaching
Mass Communication Theory and Research, Advanced Strategic Writing.
Michael Crews, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor, Advisor to Bobcat Media Productions
315 Terrell Hall
478-445-8256
Education
University of Georgia, Narrative Media Writing, M.F.A.
Teaching
Film & TV Production, Media Literacy, Film Feature Writing
Education
Ph.D., Speech Communication, Louisiana State University
Teaching
Teaching Rhetoric and Mass Communication courses - Theory and Research, Comm Theory, Small Group, Media Literacy, Critical Analysis of the Mass Media. In previous semesters, he had also taught Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Disaster Rhetoric, Interpersonal Communication, and the Rhetoric Capstone.
Biography
Dr. Michael Dreher (B.A., North Central College; M.A., University of Iowa; Ph.D., Louisiana State University) has taught courses in media, rhetoric, research methods, and public speaking. His research interests center on the role rhetoric plays in a variety of disciplines such as mathematics, religious and political discourse, and in disaster communication. He is also interested in the practical and rhetorical aspects of web accessibility. His most recent publication was a chapter in the book Arguing with Numbers: Intersections of Rhetoric and Mathematics, published by Penn State University Press.
Nah Ray Han, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Advisor to PRSSA
215 Terrell Hall
478-445-6929
Education
Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of Georgia
Biography
Dr. Nah Ray Han received her A.B.J. (Advertising), M.A. in Mass Communication (Advertising), and Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Georgia. Before coming to academia, Dr. Han worked as a Senior Account Executive with six years of B2B and B2C clients experiences at the Advertising Agency in South Korea. Her research focuses on consumer psychology, consumer behavior, and the effective use of social media in branding.
Teaching
Theory and Research, Advertising
Education
University of Georgia, M.F.A. Narrative Media Writing
Teaching
Media Literacy, Film & TV Production, and Multi-Camera Production.
Benjamin "Chad" Whittle, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Advisor to GCSU Podcast Club
316 Terrell Hall
478-445-8265
Education
Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi
Research
Digital Media, Social Media, Radio/Podcasting, Streaming, Journalism
Teaching
Media Literacy, Professional Media Writing, Radio Operations, Media Management
Education
Ph.D., Missouri School of Journalism
Teaching
Principles of PR & Advertising, Public Relations Planning, Campaign Principles
Angela Criscoe, M.F.A.
Executive Director, School of Continuing and Professional Studies; Associate Professor
CBX 40
478-445-2759
Education
MFA, Film & Television, Savannah College of Art & Design
M.Ed Instructional Technology, Georgia College '06
Research
New technologies and innovative film and television production processes in storytelling for the purposes of informing, persuading, and entertaining audiences across multiple platforms. Specific work includes aesthetic approach of color theory in films; development and training of episodic programming for local chambers of commerce (Chamber TV); and healthcare communication.
Rhetoric Faculty
Jamie Downing, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Rhetoric Coordinator
204 Terrell Hall
478-445-5561
Education
Ph.D., Communication Studies, University of Nebraska
Biography
Dr. Jamie Downing teaches the fundamentals of public speaking and small group communication.
Education
Ph.D., Speech Communication, University of Washington
Biography
Janet Hoffmann, (B.A. Florida State University, M.A. San Jose State University, Ph.D University of Washington) teaches Public Deliberation, Public Speaking, Public Achievement, Persuasion, Parliamentary Debate, Classical Communication Theory, Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Instructional Communication. Selected as a Georgia Governor’s Teaching Fellow, serves as Coordinator of Georgia College’s American Democracy Project, hosts the campus Times Talk weekly current events discussion series, and is a National Issues Forum Institute Network Partner. Awards include the 2014 Georgia College Irene Rose Community Service Award, inaugural Georgia College ENGAGE Fellow, and the 2018 University Distinguished Service Award.
Nathan Bedsole, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Advisor to Lambda Pi Eta, Director of Forensics
209 Terrell Hall
478-445-8510
Education
Ph.D., Communication, University of Colorado Boulder
Biography
Dr. Nathan Bedsole (B.A., M.A. Wake Forest University; Ph.D. University of Colorado Boulder) is an Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Director of Forensics at Georgia College. Find his work published in Argumentation & Advocacy, Intermezzo & Parlor Press, Journal of Communication, and in the Quarterly Journal of Speech. He specializes in rhetoric, studying the art's intersections with cultural studies and psychoanalysis.
Colin Whitworth, Ph.D.
Lecturer (Pronouns They/Them or He/Him)
210 Terrell Hall
478-445-5991
Education
PhD, Communication Studies, Southern Illinois University
Biography
Dr. Colin Whitworth (they/them) received their Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Southern Illinois University—Carbondale, an M.A. in Communication Studies, and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from The University of Alabama. Dr. Whitworth’s work uses performance to investigate diverse LGBTQIA+ experiences in the U.S. South through performative, relational, and critical cultural lenses. Their written work can be seen in Text & Performance Quarterly, The Journal of Autoethnography, Art/Research International, and more. They frequently represent their research through performances in various venues across the nation and have taught a wide range of classes including performance, tourism, and horror film.
Emeritus Faculty
Mary Jean Land, PhD
Emeritus Faculty
Ginger Carter-Miller, PhD
Emeritus Faculty
Education
Ph.D., Speech Communication, Southern Illinois University
Biography
Dr. Scott Dillard received his B.A. in Speech Communication from Blackburn College and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Dr. Dillard’s specialty is in performance studies. He has published articles in journals such as Text and Performance Quarterly and Storytelling, Self, and Society. He is the co-author with his colleague Dr. Janet Hoffmann of the textbook The Speaker’s Voice. Dr. Dillard is also a performer who has created a number of one-person shows, acted in local theatre, and done voice over work.
Evelina Galova-Iossifov
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Georgia College & State University
Bachelor of Sciences, Physical Education, NSA (University), Sofia, Bulgaria
Education
B.S., Education, Deaf Education
Valdosta State University
Christina Smith, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D., Mass Communication, The University of Iowa
Research
Community Journalism, Sociology of News, Identity and Qualitative Research Methods
Teaching
Race, Class, Gender in Media, Investigative Journalism, Community Journalism, Advocacy Journalism, Feature Writing, Sports Reporting, Professional Media Writing, Media Literacy, Enterprise Journalism, Media Management, GC1Y Critical Thinking: We the People, Interviewing & Listening
Mikkel Christensen, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D., University of Missouri
Research
Crisis communication, news consumption and political knowledge, political communication.
Teaching
Mass Communication Theory and Research, Advanced Strategic Writing.
Michael Crews, M.F.A.
Education
University of Georgia, Narrative Media Writing, M.F.A.
Teaching
Film & TV Production, Media Literacy, Film Feature Writing
Education
Ph.D., Speech Communication, Louisiana State University
Teaching
Teaching Rhetoric and Mass Communication courses - Theory and Research, Comm Theory, Small Group, Media Literacy, Critical Analysis of the Mass Media. In previous semesters, he had also taught Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Disaster Rhetoric, Interpersonal Communication, and the Rhetoric Capstone.
Biography
Dr. Michael Dreher (B.A., North Central College; M.A., University of Iowa; Ph.D., Louisiana State University) has taught courses in media, rhetoric, research methods, and public speaking. His research interests center on the role rhetoric plays in a variety of disciplines such as mathematics, religious and political discourse, and in disaster communication. He is also interested in the practical and rhetorical aspects of web accessibility. His most recent publication was a chapter in the book Arguing with Numbers: Intersections of Rhetoric and Mathematics, published by Penn State University Press.
Nah Ray Han, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of Georgia
Biography
Dr. Nah Ray Han received her A.B.J. (Advertising), M.A. in Mass Communication (Advertising), and Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Georgia. Before coming to academia, Dr. Han worked as a Senior Account Executive with six years of B2B and B2C clients experiences at the Advertising Agency in South Korea. Her research focuses on consumer psychology, consumer behavior, and the effective use of social media in branding.
Teaching
Theory and Research, Advertising
Education
University of Georgia, M.F.A. Narrative Media Writing
Teaching
Media Literacy, Film & TV Production, and Multi-Camera Production.
Benjamin "Chad" Whittle, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi
Research
Digital Media, Social Media, Radio/Podcasting, Streaming, Journalism
Teaching
Media Literacy, Professional Media Writing, Radio Operations, Media Management
Education
Ph.D., Missouri School of Journalism
Teaching
Principles of PR & Advertising, Public Relations Planning, Campaign Principles
Angela Criscoe, M.F.A.
Education
MFA, Film & Television, Savannah College of Art & Design
M.Ed Instructional Technology, Georgia College '06
Research
New technologies and innovative film and television production processes in storytelling for the purposes of informing, persuading, and entertaining audiences across multiple platforms. Specific work includes aesthetic approach of color theory in films; development and training of episodic programming for local chambers of commerce (Chamber TV); and healthcare communication.
Rhetoric Faculty
Jamie Downing, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Rhetoric Coordinator
204 Terrell Hall
478-445-5561
Education
Ph.D., Communication Studies, University of Nebraska
Biography
Dr. Jamie Downing teaches the fundamentals of public speaking and small group communication.
Education
Ph.D., Speech Communication, University of Washington
Biography
Janet Hoffmann, (B.A. Florida State University, M.A. San Jose State University, Ph.D University of Washington) teaches Public Deliberation, Public Speaking, Public Achievement, Persuasion, Parliamentary Debate, Classical Communication Theory, Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Instructional Communication. Selected as a Georgia Governor’s Teaching Fellow, serves as Coordinator of Georgia College’s American Democracy Project, hosts the campus Times Talk weekly current events discussion series, and is a National Issues Forum Institute Network Partner. Awards include the 2014 Georgia College Irene Rose Community Service Award, inaugural Georgia College ENGAGE Fellow, and the 2018 University Distinguished Service Award.
Nathan Bedsole, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Advisor to Lambda Pi Eta, Director of Forensics
209 Terrell Hall
478-445-8510
Education
Ph.D., Communication, University of Colorado Boulder
Biography
Dr. Nathan Bedsole (B.A., M.A. Wake Forest University; Ph.D. University of Colorado Boulder) is an Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Director of Forensics at Georgia College. Find his work published in Argumentation & Advocacy, Intermezzo & Parlor Press, Journal of Communication, and in the Quarterly Journal of Speech. He specializes in rhetoric, studying the art's intersections with cultural studies and psychoanalysis.
Colin Whitworth, Ph.D.
Lecturer (Pronouns They/Them or He/Him)
210 Terrell Hall
478-445-5991
Education
PhD, Communication Studies, Southern Illinois University
Biography
Dr. Colin Whitworth (they/them) received their Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Southern Illinois University—Carbondale, an M.A. in Communication Studies, and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from The University of Alabama. Dr. Whitworth’s work uses performance to investigate diverse LGBTQIA+ experiences in the U.S. South through performative, relational, and critical cultural lenses. Their written work can be seen in Text & Performance Quarterly, The Journal of Autoethnography, Art/Research International, and more. They frequently represent their research through performances in various venues across the nation and have taught a wide range of classes including performance, tourism, and horror film.
Emeritus Faculty
Mary Jean Land, PhD
Emeritus Faculty
Ginger Carter-Miller, PhD
Emeritus Faculty
Jamie Downing, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D., Communication Studies, University of Nebraska
Biography
Dr. Jamie Downing teaches the fundamentals of public speaking and small group communication.
Education
Ph.D., Speech Communication, University of Washington
Biography
Janet Hoffmann, (B.A. Florida State University, M.A. San Jose State University, Ph.D University of Washington) teaches Public Deliberation, Public Speaking, Public Achievement, Persuasion, Parliamentary Debate, Classical Communication Theory, Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Instructional Communication. Selected as a Georgia Governor’s Teaching Fellow, serves as Coordinator of Georgia College’s American Democracy Project, hosts the campus Times Talk weekly current events discussion series, and is a National Issues Forum Institute Network Partner. Awards include the 2014 Georgia College Irene Rose Community Service Award, inaugural Georgia College ENGAGE Fellow, and the 2018 University Distinguished Service Award.
Nathan Bedsole, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D., Communication, University of Colorado Boulder
Biography
Dr. Nathan Bedsole (B.A., M.A. Wake Forest University; Ph.D. University of Colorado Boulder) is an Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Director of Forensics at Georgia College. Find his work published in Argumentation & Advocacy, Intermezzo & Parlor Press, Journal of Communication, and in the Quarterly Journal of Speech. He specializes in rhetoric, studying the art's intersections with cultural studies and psychoanalysis.
Colin Whitworth, Ph.D.
Education
PhD, Communication Studies, Southern Illinois University
Biography
Dr. Colin Whitworth (they/them) received their Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Southern Illinois University—Carbondale, an M.A. in Communication Studies, and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from The University of Alabama. Dr. Whitworth’s work uses performance to investigate diverse LGBTQIA+ experiences in the U.S. South through performative, relational, and critical cultural lenses. Their written work can be seen in Text & Performance Quarterly, The Journal of Autoethnography, Art/Research International, and more. They frequently represent their research through performances in various venues across the nation and have taught a wide range of classes including performance, tourism, and horror film.