We recognize the research publications, honors, and awards of our faculty on this evolving post. Check back often to see just what our faculty have been up to this past semester.

Distinguished Article | Skye Wingate
Currently an assistant professor, Dr. Wingate received the 2020 Distinguished Article Award from the National CommunicationAssociation’s Social Cognition Division. Her article, “Victims’ Goal Understanding, Uncertainty Reduction, and Perceptions in Cyberbullying: Theoretical Evidence from Three Experiments,” was recently published in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, one of the top journals in the discipline.

The National Communication Association (NCA) serves to advance Communication “as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media, and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry” (www.natcom.org). As our national organization, this top honor for our faculty is celebrated as an amazing step into a career of important scholarly contributions to the discipline.

Book Release | Greg Cranmer
Greg Cranmer received the Sue DeWine Book Award from the National Communication Association’s Applied Communication Division. His book, Athletic Coaching: A Communication Perspective, was recently published by Peter Lang.

As outline on peterlang.com, this text “provides a foundation for a communicative perspective of coaching in an effort to better understand and promote coach effectiveness. As part of this effort, this book conceptualizes coaching as a communicative endeavor, provides a framework from which to understand coaching effectiveness, and explicates four common perspectives (i.e., instructional, organizational, group, and interpersonal) utilized by communication scholars to examine coaching. Moreover, this book forwards a scholarly agenda for building a holistic framework of coaching and increasing the applied value of coach communication scholarship via methodological and theoretical considerations.”  The text is available today and open and accessible to all audiences including students, scholars and coaches.

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Caitlin Baker

The next faculty member we would like to introduce is Caitlin Baker, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communication.

While Professor Baker is a lecturer, she likes to implement a multitude of different instructional methods to allow students to participate more effectively. She also applies current events to her teaching, allowing students to relate their studies to real-world happenings. 

As a student and now as a professor, Caitlin Baker loves the town-gown relations here at Clemson, as well as cheering on the Clemson Tigers! Her advice for communication students is to get involved as much as possible during their time at Clemson. 

Until we can safely return to campus in its full capacity, watch the video below to learn more about Professor Baker and the tips she has for communication students.

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Dr. Skye Wingate 

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is new faculty member Dr. Sky Wingate, Assistant professor of Health Communication.

We are so excited to welcome Dr. Wingate to her first semester at Clemson University! Although she has only been on campus once, she has already fallen  in love with this university thanks to the kindness of the faculty and staff in the Communication Department and the bright, engaged students she has taught thus far.

In order to be successful in the online setting, Dr. Wingate has utilized a variety of teaching methods including chat responses and teaching material that applies to her student’s everyday lives. Dr. Wingate asks that her students become invested in topics that they are passionate about and use their own voice to have an impact. The best way to succeed in her class would be to read the textbook and to be a good critical thinker. 

When Dr. Wingate sees a student that might need a little more help than other students, she will reach out privately to see what she can do to help. Dr. Wingate understands that this is a difficult time for everyone and is willing to work with her students to ensure a positive learning environment. 

Dr. Wingate cannot wait to see Clemson in all of its glory when it is safe to return to campus and cannot wait to meet her current and future students in person. Until then, learn more about her in the video below!

UPDATE:

Clemson News recently posted an article highlighting Department Assistant Professor Dr. Skye Wingate’s bullying research. Dr. Wingate’s message-centered communicative approach to her studies led her to conclude that the severity and intentionality behind bullying can predict negative mental health effects on bullying victims. Dr. Wingate has been able to use this information to design methods for counselors to approach the effects of bullying by closely examining how the victim frames and appraises the intentionality and severity of the bullying they experience, as published in her recent peer-reviewed journal article “The severity of bullying messages predicts increased levels of targets’ depression and general anxiety as a function of targets’ inferences of a bully’s goals”.

Dr. Skye Wingate is performing groundbreaking research to not only understand the effects of different types of bullying through different mediums, but also to find a way to help those who experienced or continue to experience bullying that negatively impacts their mental health. A big breakthrough that Dr. Wingate had is finding that it not only matters what a bully says, but how the victim interprets it. Wingate explained, “you have to consider multiple perspectives [with bullying communication], the actual intention and the perception of it. But it’s clear to me that you can trust recollection more than one might think; memory isn’t perfect, but you’d be surprised how many respondents remember what was said to them in exact, quotable detail. Those severe attacks stuck with them, and it shows”.

As a Department, we are extremely proud of the research Dr. Skye Wingate has been conducting and the positive impacts it will have on bullying victims in the future.

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Marshall Covert 

The next faculty member we would like to introduce is Marshall Covert, Lecturer in the Department of Communication

Professor Marshall Covert believes that for public speaking, it is all about grabbing the audience’s attention. To grab his student’s attention, he likes to have them participate in critical writing exercises to start thinking about the topic of that day.  Professor Covert has been able to adapt to the new online setting but cannot wait to be in person again to make connections with his students. To succeed in Professor Covert’s class, students should complete all the assignments, ask questions, and stay engaged during class.

What Professor Covert loves most about Clemson is the people and the atmosphere. He loves the support the faculty and staff give each other in the department.

The advice Marshall Covert gives to students is that they need to be networking and make as many connections as possible. And the final message he wants to leave students with is “Find a purpose for everything and find new things you can learn, never stop learning.”

Learn More about Marshall Covert below!

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Charles Brewer

The next faculty member we would like to introduce is Charles Brewer, Lecturer in the Department of Communication

Professor Brewer, who teaches public speaking, studied at Christopher Newport University. Professor Brewer focuses on structuring his lessons differently for each class.  He likes to vary his teaching methods to increase engagement as well as give students who learn in different ways the opportunity to grasp the material. 

Professor Brewer sets up his class so that each student has the potential for individual growth through confidence building. In order to succeed in Brewer’s class, all he asks of his students is that they do the work and give their best effort. 

Charles Brewer loves Clemson and specifically loves that the faculty and students are all one big family. Accordingly, Professor Brewer dislikes not being face to face for this semester but is looking forward to seeing everyone in the future. 

Until then, learn more about Charles Brewer in the video below.

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Jordan Elling

The next staff member we would like to introduce is Jordan Elling, Academic Advisor for Communication and Sports Communication.

Jordan Elling is not only a staff member here in the Communication Department, but also completed graduate school education at Clemson. Her favorite memory since being here has been cheering on the football team to their 2018 National Championship Victory in downtown Clemson.

Jordan Elling is an energetic and engaging advisor who loves helping her students in any way possible. She is available to help students pick classes and find opportunities that fit their goals and desires and also takes time to help her students get through personal problems that might arise.

Jordan’s best advice she could give to her students is to utilize their resources. She advises students not to be afraid and to reach out to the Communication Department faculty and staff because they want to help you and see you succeed.

Watch the video below to learn more about Jordan Elling and hear what makes Clemson so special to her.

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Alyssa Davis

The next faculty member we would like to introduce is Alyssa Davis, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Communication Center and Research Lab.

Alyssa Davis is a big proponent of experiential learning. She believes that if she can create a space in class where students can practice the application of what they are learning, it makes it a lot easier for them to apply what they have learned to their life.

Davis’ biggest advice for communication students is for them to narrow down the area of communication in which they want to specialize. It is then crucial for students to establish a relationship with the faculty members in that area so that they can have as much access to resources and information as possible.

Davis knew she came to the right University when she and several other new hires started having “family dinners” every week to talk about life and enjoy each other’s company.

Since then, she has loved her time here at Clemson and has made many memories with the amazing staff and students in the Communication Department. Davis cannot wait to be back on campus to continue to make these memories.

Learn more about Professor Davis and the Communication Department below!

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Dr. Jordan Morehouse

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Dr. Jordan Morehouse, an Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication in the department.

Dr. Morehouse is new to Clemson University this fall, after moving here from Houston, TX. She utilizes her background in public relations to provide her students with real-life examples. By using four different methods of instruction, Dr. Morehouse is able to teach her students through lectures, readings, examples, and projects. 

Dr. Morehouse is looking forward to getting to know the Clemson campus and city better upon returning to in-person classes.

Until we can safely return to campus in its full capacity, watch the video below to learn more about Dr. Morehouse, and the tips she has for communication students.

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Dr. Brandon Boatwright

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is new faculty member Dr. Brandon Boatwright, Assistant Professor and Director of the Social Media Listening Center.

Although Dr. Boatwright is new to the faculty this year, he is no stranger to Clemson University. Dr. Boatwright received his undergraduate degree from Clemson and previously taught at Clemson before leaving to pursue his phD.

Dr. Boatwright is super excited to be back at Clemson and we are thrilled to have him! Dr. Boatwright’s favorite thing about being a professor at Clemson is the students. He believes that being a professor gives him the unique opportunity to give back to the University that gave him so much as an undergraduate and help students succeed the way his professors helped him. Dr. Boatwright’s mission as a professor is to make his classes as engaging as possible and greatly values class discussions. Additionally, Dr. Boatwright loves getting to know his students and building strong relationships with them in and outside of class. 

Overall, Dr.Boatwrights biggest advice for students is to take ownership of their time at Clemson. There are an abundance of different avenues students can pursue at clemson that will make their college experiences better as well as prepare them for the professional world and Dr. Boatwright suggests taking advantage of these opportunities.

Learn more about Dr. Boatwright and his love for Clemson and the Communication Department below!

Although we may be limited in our interactions, we definitely do not want to be strangers. Our Meet the Department series hopes to introduce you to our faculty and staff that support our undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication.

Meet: Dr. Virginia Harrison

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is new faculty member Dr. Virginia Harrison, Assistant professor of Sports Communication.

This is Dr. Harrison’s first semester at Clemson and we welcome her with open arms into the department. Dr. Harrison has lived in Pennsylvania her whole life and is looking forward to seeing Clemson University at its best when it is buzzing with students and faculty. In the meantime, Dr. Harrison has enjoyed getting to know her students through in person class meetings,  zoom and discussion boards. 

 Dr.  Harrison loves to engage students through discussions and hand on activities to ensure that the class stays active. Further, she wants her students to come away with a better understanding of assigned readings as well as a better understanding of the application that reading has to their real lives.

Learn more about Dr. Harrison and all that she will bring to this department by watching the video below!