Ashland University's Excellence Travels to Philadelphia

     Dr. Dariela Rodriguez, chair of the Communication Studies Department at Ashland University, traveled to Philadelphia to participate in the National Communication Association's (NCA) 102nd Annual Conference on November 12, 2016. This conference hosted professors across the country as well as some industry professionals. 

    Dr.  Rodriguez presented a short course about Innovative Approaches to the Application of Risk and Crisis Communication. This short course focused on the development and implementation of  risk and crisis communication plans, as well as a variety of theories and other activities used to prepare students for success. Dr. Rodriguez said,  "hearing industry professionals talk about what they want in upcoming young communication professionals at the NCA conference confirmed what I am teaching here at Ashland University."

Check out more about Dr. Dariela Rodriguez here.

Dr. Randall-Griffiths Presents Paper

Dr. Deleasa Randall-Griffiths, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies, presented a paper titled "From Menarche to Menopause: Practical Implications for Healthcare Providers" at the Organizationfor the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender annual conference in Oak Park, IL.

The paper was co-authored by Randall-Griffiths, Kimberly Field-Springer (Berry College) and Carol Reece (Ashland University College of Nursing and Health Sciences). 

AU Students to Present at OCA Conference

This week, Ashland University will be hosting the Ohio Conference Association’s (OCA) 80th Annual Conference, the theme of which is Strong Roots – Branches of Communication.

This year’s conference brings together faculty and students from across the state to share their scholarly work in the form of papers, posters, panel discussions and workshops.

The following students from AU will be presenting this year:

"I Vow…" A PSA on Domestic Abuse in Intimate Relationships
Natalie Antonio, senior health and risk communication major
Megan Salatino, AU alumna
Sami Solanics, senior public relations & strategic communication major
Sarah Van Wagnen, junior public relations & strategic communication and health & risk communication major
Allison Vredenburgh, senior public relations & strategic communication major

Relationships in Sports and their Correlation to Success
Allison Vredenburgh, senior public relations & strategic communication major

Heineken Dog Fighting Rumors
Haley Pittman, senior sport communication major
Corbon Angermeier, senior health & risk and public relations & strategic communications major


Best of luck to all those presenting!

PRSSA Event: Overcoming Diversity with Communication

Contact Jenna Marsh, president of Ashland PRSSA, at jmarsh2 at ashland.edu, with questions.

Dr. O'Rourke presents at the second International Conference

Dr. Dan O'Rourke, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, was one of five Americans selected to present at the second International Conference on the Superhero in Oxford, England. Representatives from 12 countries explored themes of the heroic narrative, gender identities, ​heteronormative behavior, changing visions of the heroic icon, and the duality of identities in comic books. The success of the conference has secured a third iteration next year and the possibility of one or more books forthcoming from collections of the conference presentations.

Check out more information about Dr. Dan O'Rourke here.

Dr. Rodriguez receives Mentor Award for 2016

Congratulations to Dr. Rodriguez who received the Mentor Award for 2016. On January 28th, eight faculty and staff members were honored with this award during the 30th annual Academic Mentor Awards recognition ceremony. This award is given to faculty and staff whose academic leadership for their students extends beyond the classroom. Each mentor was nominated by an Ashland University student and was presented an engraved silver plate during the ceremony.

Dr. Rodriguez was nominated by Megan Salatino. Salatino is a senior triple majoring in Health and Risk Communication, Public Relations and Strategic Communication, and Sport Communication. Students nominated faculty or staff members using the criteria of history of their relationship, how they benefited academically, how their personal development has been enhanced by their mentor, and what impact the mentor has had on the student's progress at the University.

Dr. Rodriguez is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies with a specialization in Sport Communication.  She joined the Department of Communication Studies in the fall of 2012.

Dr. Deleasa Randall-Griffiths Publishes Book Chapter

Dr. Deleasa Randall-Griffiths, associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies, published a book chapter titled "Navigating Courses: The Impact of Visual Impairment on the Teacher-Student Relationship in Communication Classrooms." 

Her co-author, Kelsey Nicolay, graduated from Ashland University in 2013, double majoring in Communication Studies and French. The book, titled Discourse of Disability in Higher Education: Narrative-Based Research for Social Change, was edited by Dr. Ahmet Atay (College of Wooster) and Dr. Mary Ashlock (University of Louisville) and published by Peter Lang.