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. Kristen Okamoto

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Dr. Kristen Okamoto, Assistant Professor, and researcher in the Department of Communication.

Dr. Okamoto’s first passion is teaching. When she got her masters, with the idea of wanting to teach non traditional students. Since then, she has developed a passion for research which led her to earn her doctorate. 

Dr. Okamoto’s goal is not to teach her students a specific skill, but instead to teach them how to think. To do so, she uses class discussion as opposed to long lectures which keep her students engaged in the classroom.

Learn more about Dr. Okamoto and her teaching expertise 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: Professor Lindsey Dixon

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Senior Lecturer and Debate Team coach, Professor Lindsey Dixon.

Professor Dixon enjoys maintaining an interactive classroom environment by incorporating group discussion and debate into her instructional methods. She believes the best communicators are adaptable. Through teaching her students persuasion, she hopes to build their public speaking skills, their debate skills, and their deductive reasoning skills. 

As the Debate Team coach here at Clemson, Professor Dixon serves as a great resource and supporter of her students. When she is not traveling or coaching the team, she creates workshops for students around the world to develop their argumentation on topics such as civil discourse and civil discussion. 

While one of Professor Dixon’s favorite things about Clemson is the lake, she also enjoys the overall small-town atmosphere because it reminds her of where she grew up. Her advice for Clemson students is to figure what you love and go All In! 

Learn more about Professor Dixon and her experiences at Clemson below.

On behalf of the Communication Department, we would like to welcome you all back to Clemson and hope you had a safe and restful holiday break! We are also welcoming back our two fantastic interns, Bridget and Pepper. Bridget and Pepper are returning for their third and second semesters, respectively, under the guidance of Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Lori Pindar, Ph.D. Both interns are excited to get back to virtually engaging with department faculty, staff, and students! 

See below to learn about Bridget Kane and Pepper Kolman and how they have adjusted to their new virtual/ hybrid lives.

Bridget Kane 

My name is Bridget Kane and I am excited to continue working with Dr. Pindar and Pepper during my final semester at Clemson. This internship has helped me develop skills that will allow me to seamlessly transition into the workforce upon graduation. Specifically, over the past three semesters I have developed into a leader, sharpened my decision making skills, and enhanced my professional communication skills. I have greatly enjoyed engaging with department faculty, staff, and alumni and look forward to continuing to do so this semester. 

Transitioning from a social and outgoing person to one who spends most of my time behind a computer screen, has not been the easiest, especially as a Student-Athlete at Clemson. The interviews I have conducted with faculty, staff, and alumni were a much needed source of social interaction and I greatly enjoyed getting to know, and equally as importantly laughing with, these individuals via Zoom. Thankfully, after 7 months of the pandemic and the understanding of social distancing and mask wearing, I have been able to return to a life that is starting to resemble normalcy. Although I still take most of my classes from my bedroom, I have returned to rowing practice and interacting with friends in a safe manner. As more and more people are starting to get vaccines and my May graduation slowly approaches, I am hopeful for what the future holds and where my Tiger Pride will take me!

Pepper Kolman

My name is Pepper Kolman, and I am so excited to be returning as an intern for the Department of Communication. It was truly a pleasure to work with Bridget and Dr. Pindar last fall, and I can’t wait to see what is to come this Spring. I think my favorite part of this internship so far has been engaging with faculty and staff in the department. In addition, I have appreciated the opportunity to further develop my communication skills and fine tune my coachability. 

As someone who is comfortable spending most of my time at home, one challenge I have faced these past few months has been remembering to venture out and stay social. While meeting over Zoom is not the same as meeting in person, I have greatly valued getting to know Dr. Pindar and other faculty members during our interviews. I am also on the women’s rowing team here at Clemson, and seeing my teammates each morning is becoming a highlight of my day. If you happen to see bow lights dancing across Lake Hartwell at 6am, it is probably us. Even though I have another year here at Clemson, it is quickly dawning on me how fast this time truly passes. I am not yet done writing my story here at Clemson, but I am so grateful to continue being an adjunct part of this department. 

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.