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!

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. Erin Ash

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Dr.Erin Ash, Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor in the department.

Dr. Ash teaches using examples and discussions to get her students to be engaged and involved in her courses. This strategy is highly successful and leads to immense participation and learning outcomes and is especially fitting for her courses that relate to pop culture, political communication and media. She has found that strategy leaves her students thinking critically about the things they consume everyday in the media centered world we are currently living in.

Dr. Ash loves working at Clemson because of the amazing faculty, staff and students she gets to work with each day. She knows she may be biased, but believes that Clemson students are truly the best. Dr. Ash is looking forward to the informal interactions and relationships she was able to build and strengthen with her students when we are back on campus full time. 

Until we can safely return to campus in its full capacity, watch the video below to learn more about Dr. Ash and her 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. Joe Mazer 

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Dr. Joe Mazer, Department of Communication Chair.

Dr. Mazer has been working at Clemson for 11 years and loves to engage students by using discussion in the classroom. It is his belief that through the process of discussion students are able to develop their critical thinking skills. 

The best piece of advice that Dr. Mazer has for communication students is for them to get to know the faculty and staff in the department. He believes that developing relationships with the faculty will help them pursue their goals and figure out what their next steps will be.

Watch the video so that you can get to know more about Dr. Mazer!

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. Lori M. Pindar

Our first faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Dr. Lori Pindar, Director of Undergraduate Studies for the department.

All undergraduate students typically meet Dr. Pindar in their COMM 1010 – Academic & Professional Development I, a required course for all students majoring or minoring in Communication or Sports Communication. 

Dr. Pindar’s approach to teaching is based heavily on bringing the strategy and application into the classroom setting. For her, it is important that “students don’t just have the knowledge…but they learn how to use it. They learn about themselves, they learbout others, and they also learn how to navigate their life successfully at Clemson and beyond.”

I had the pleasure of working with her as my internship supervisor and have enjoyed getting to know the hands-on, energetic, intelligent and engaging woman that is Dr. Lori Pindar.

Following an unprecedented conclusion to the spring semester and a summer of uncertainty, Clemson students are finally back on campus and prepared to make the most of the hybrid fall semester. As a communication department, we have selected three bright Student-Athlete interns to work under the Communication Department Director of Undergraduate Studies and Senior Lecturer, Dr. Lori Pindar, Ph.D. These students will be using this time to develop skills and gain experience to help with their future career goals.

See below to learn about Bridget Kane, Pepper Kolman, and James Edwards 

Bridget Kane 

My name is Bridget Kane and I am a rising Senior from Haddonfield, NJ, a small town in the Philadelphia area. I am a Marketing major with minors in Sports Communication and Science and Technology in Society. During my time at Clemson, I have been on either the President’s List or the Dean’s List each semester.

At Clemson, I am a member of the Women’s Varsity Rowing Team. While on the rowing team, I have made the ACC Academic Honor Roll every semester, was a member of the 2018-19 All ACC Academic Team, was a 2018 – 19 CRCA National Scholar-Athlete, won the Most Improved Varsity Award in 2019, and earned a 3rd Place Medal at the ACC Championship as a member of the 2V8+ in 2019. Further, I am the President of Tigers Unite, a group of Student Athletes dedicated to fight social injustices and racial inequalities. 

Before this internship, I was an intern at Campus Banner and Design where I transformed the social media platforms into spaces that properly represented the company brand. I will be able to use the skills learned in my previous internship to properly express myself on behalf of the Communication Department by keeping their brand in mind. During this internship I plan to write blog posts, interview faculty, staff, alumni, and students and edit videos for the youtube channel.

When I am not participating in the above activities, you will find me running, walking or playing with my dog, watching Netflix, hanging out with friends, or being on the lake on a boat, tube, or dock. But, if at all possible you will find me in the ocean. I loved to surf, swim, stand up paddle board, kayak, and just float through the waves. Even though there is no close by ocean and I am 12 hours from my family, I still have always felt at home in Clemson because of the Clemson Family and Tiger Pride. 

Pepper Kolman 

My name is Pepper Kolman and I am a junior Economics and Women’s Leadership double major. I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, but my family has since moved to Lynchburg, Virginia. I am a member of the rowing team and I have been on the ACC honor roll and the Dean’s List during my time at Clemson. 

I came to Clemson to be a part of the women’s rowing team, however, during the past two years, I have fallen in love with the school. Last fall I pledged Clemson’s Professional Business Fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi. This has helped me immensely by expanding my professional skills, community engagement, and introducing me to a great group of friends. By joining DSP and student organizations such as It’s on Us and Women in Business I have begun to find my Clemson Family. 

An interesting fact about me is that I went to a Swiss boarding school in Leysin, Switzerland, for my junior and senior years of high school. During my free time you will find me swimming, running, or hanging out with friends. Ideally, I like to spend my time outdoors, surfing or skiing. I have spent the past five summers as an ocean rescue lifeguard in New Jersey, but I love the mountains just as much. 

Post-grad I hope to continue my education by pursuing a masters degree in Economics or Public Policy before entering the workforce full-time. When the time comes, I am interested in global consulting for a Big 4 accounting firm for a few years and then becoming a lobbyist.     

James Edwards 

My name is James Edwards and I am a senior PRTM major and Athletic Leadership minor from Vestavia Hills, Alabama. At Clemson I am a member of the football team. My favorite memory while at Clemson was winning the National Championship in 2018 since it was my first National Championship. During this internship, I am working to create interview questions, research professors, conduct faculty and staff interviews and help introduce students to their faculty and staff support in creative and innovative ways.

This semester, I am looking forward to everyone getting back on campus and out of the virtual world. In fact, my biggest issue with COVID-19 has been finding motivation to do all of my school work on time and not last minute.

A fun fact about me is I am a twin. When I am not playing football or in class, you can find me playing video games, watching anime and singing karaoke. My other interests include sports, working out, video games and being with my friends. After graduation, I want to become a sports coach or a strength coach. Eventually, I also want to become a small business owner.

Perspectives sessions serve as a mechanism to build bridges between our current undergraduates in the Department of Communication and young alumni who have blazed new trails in the professional world and are seeing success in their early- to mid-career endeavors. We invite all current students, faculty, and staff to attend our virtual sessions. If you would like to be involved or learn more, please contact communication@clemson.edu.

Brooke Skelley earned her BA in Communication from Clemson University in 2015. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee in Tampa, Florida.

Her journey towards her current position with the Super Bowl LV Host Committee began when she chose to switch her major to Communication following her junior year and explore what the field had to offer. She was determined to work in the world of sport and encourages students to always be willing and ready to volunteer or work in jobs to gain the experience necessary to stand-out and become a marketable candidate. Additionally, Brooke emphasizes the importance of networking and being kind, eager and professional across all interactions. She used these skills that led to her success and helps students following her path to do the same.

Watch the video below for a full recap of Brooke’s journey and the advice she has for Clemson Communication students and recent graduates.

Perspectives session serve as a mechanism to build bridges between our current undergraduates in the Department of Communication and your young alumni who have blazed new trails in the professional world and are seeing success in their early- to mid-career endeavors. We invite all current students, faculty, and staff to attend our virtual sessions. If you would like to be involved or learn more, please contact communication@clemson.edu.

Kaila Burns-Heffner earned her BA in Sports Communication with an Entrepreneurship minor from Clemson University in 2017. She currently serves as a Content Associate at ESPN and is responsible for all content that is edited before the games for college baseball and football that are presented during the broadcast.

Her journey towards her current position at ESPN began when she chose to attend Clemson University. Through the Department of Communication, Kaila was appointed to the Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council as a sports communication representative and served as a department ambassador. Through these experience and her numerous internships with organizations that include: The Clemson Insider, Sports Illustrated,  Campus Rush and WSPA-TV, she honed the skills and gained the experience needed to secure an internship at ESPN Magazine.

Since then, she has propelled herself into the content associate position she holds today. Kaila attributes her success in the sports industry to concerted planning, intentional networking and even failing (and persistence).

Watch the video below for a full recap of Kaila’s journey and the advice she has for Clemson Communication students and recent graduates.