COMMunity Roar

Intern Insights: International Spotlight

Posted on by hhank

Intern Insights: International Spotlight

Intern Insights allows current departmental interns to share their perspective on topics relevant to their experience as an undergraduate student: italicized terms will appear in glossary at the end of the post

 

Part 2 Ousmane Sylla

 

I met Ousmane Sylla in May 2021. I’d made my way home from my day of class and workouts and was settling in for the arvo when I heard a knock at the door. Seeing as all of my teammates were, for the most part, home for our summer break, I figured I’d open the door to an RA. Nope. Sylla stood at my door after a hand with a math problem. Now I wouldn’t at all claim we share a love of math—and I was hopeless at helping him out with the problem. Since then however, a knock on my door has become pretty standard.  Sylla and I have forged one of the most competitive friendships founded upon introducing him to UNO and a shared appreciation for Chipotle.

Sylla hails from Dakar, the capital of Senegal, Africa. Speaking about his hometown, he shared, “It’s a pretty cool city, I live near the beach. About 16 million people live there.” Sylla started playing soccer when he was only 3 years old.  He and his friends from the neighborhood would play in the streets from morning until what felt like 7 or 8pm when his grandma would yell for him to come back inside.

 

                             

Sylla home with his grandmother Ndeye Sylla.          Sylla practicing last fall.

 

First Steps in the US

 

He first started playing soccer more competitively when he was 15 after moving from Africa to the United State–. Sylla continued his education and played at Montverde Academy after being scouted/recruited to play at a more elite level. Sylla did not speak English when he arrived in the United States which was challenging because he was also experiencing culture shock. In response to his early experiences in the US, he said “it was very hard. It was tough.” In addition to different lifestyles and societal norms, he also was adapting to factors like new foods and acclimating to the weather. Like I said in my last post, grits, they’re weird.

Despite the challenges and adversity he faced, Sylla explained to me why he persists and continues pursue his passion of playing soccer professionally. Simply put, you have to sacrifice and “give what it takes” to pursue your dreams. For him, like myself and other student athletes on our campus, this meant moving away from his parents, siblings, grandparents and friends for an opportunity to compete against some of the best in the United States. However, I can only imagine how alienating it had to be to deal with a language barrier on top of southern slang itself which really is something else.

Sylla shared, “I love soccer, soccer is more than my sport.” He channels his motivation from role models he looks up to like Kobe Bryant for his mentality with regard to sport. His father Ibou Dada, is another big inspiration for him, as he taught him to always be the best version of himself, kind and respectful. The more time I spend with Sylla, the more I pick up on little golden mantra’s like “rest at the end and not in the middle.” Or my personal favorite “the job’s not done yet” to tell yourself when you are really digging in and gassed (exhausted) in a workout. I loved hearing about Sylla’s mindset because it speaks to the courage and determination of international students and, specifically student athletes, to achieve their goals. Like Sylla says “If you have a dream, you have to go get it.”

Sylla and his Father Ibou Sylla.

 

Dreams Deferred but Looking Ahead

 

Originally, Sylla was supposed to come to Clemson in August 2020 but he couldn’t get to America from Senegal due to COVID-19 impacting travel. As happy as he was to watch his team win the ACC Championship, he said it was frustrating for him to not be able to be a part of it. Sylla detailed that he chose to come to Clemson because of the great soccer program and coaching staff. He connected with their values reflecting the things he holds as important in his life including community, family and having a winning mentality because he knows this will drive them to future team success. Sylla stated “I am really excited to be part of the Fall [2021] season. I also really enjoy being at Clemson because of all the new experiences I have had off the field.”

 

Sylla playing last Spring.

 

From Sylla’s first steps in the United States learning English and experiencing American culture, to having to patiently wait to join his team last Spring to play, he has conducted himself with great character. But don’t be fooled, he is also highly competitive going by UNO as a standard or the card game Ganagui he taught me. So let his journey and the challenges he overcame serve as testament to me telling you, he will definitely be someone to watch this season when he competes in the Fall for the Tigers!

 

Much love brother!

Diam

  

At the lake!                                A Chipotle run when we got soaked in the rain, apparently                                                                                neither of us have got the whole South Carolina weather thing down yet.

 

 

Local Terms/Phrases/Slang to Get Familiar With

 

Arvo: afternoon.

After a hand: to help someone out with a task or issue/problem.

Is something else: to say something really is something else, you are probably perplexed by the situation.

 

Wolof, Translations

The Language Sylla speaks at home.

 

Ganagui: the card game Sylla taught me.

Diam: peace.

 

Posted in Communication Department, Intern Insight

Intern Insights: International Spotlight

Posted on by hhank

Intern Insights: International Spotlight
Intern Insights allows current departmental interns to share their perspective on topics relevant to their experience as an undergraduate student.

Part 1 Hannah Hank

 

After my appointment as the manager of COMMunity Roar, the Department of Communication’s blog, I was challenged to present the perspective of international students on our campus. However, I can’t speak for 1295 undergraduate and graduate students currently on campus because of the myriad of factors that contribute to the experience of an international student attending Clemson University (Clemson University Office of Institutional Research, 2020). In the wake of 2020 and all that this unprecedented year brought, I won’t hesitate to disclaim: this is my personal take. See my glossary at the end of the text for Australian translations.

 

If you read the initial Meet the Interns post you would have a snippet of an insight into my life in Australia. I grew up in a coastal, country town called Port Lincoln–a half an hour from our family’s oyster farm/recently turned tourism business in Coffin Bay. My Mum and Dad, ironically, told my brother and I “the world is your oyster” when they gave us the opportunity to continue playing basketball and attend high school in the big smoke of Adelaide. In Adelaide we competed for our respective club teams every week, and our state team South Australia Metro in the Australian Basketball Championships each year whilst continuing our studies at Trinity College. The seven and a half hour distance between ball and school in the city, and our humble home in Lincoln made for a family challenge to adapt and sacrifice. Initially we moved as a family and Dad commuted for 3 years until Mum had to move home. With this change my brother and I started boarding with host families when I was 14. I will always be grateful for the opportunities that came from this experience in my teenage years. This experience helped my brother and I reach our goal to play division 1 basketball in the United States while studying. Now I get to continue to pursue my goals to play professionally and see where my education takes me post-basketball.

 

     

Photographs of me playing for my club Forestville Eagles after we won the grand final and South Australia Metro when we placed 2nd in year 12.

 

Connection is a word that gets thrown around a lot with respect to interpersonal relationships, sporting team’s chemistry, the dynamic in a workplace environment or the nostalgia that ties someone to their hometown. I think connection is often romanticized, and rightly so, because it really is so powerful. I will always think of Port Lincoln as my home and yet I stand corrected that you cannot have a similar connection to another location. I remember when I was moving 10, 246 miles across the world at 18 and my friends and family were throwing banter at me at the airport saying I better not come home saying “y’all” or blasting country music. I knew home to be home and it was irreplaceable to me, so even the thought of calling another place home left a sour taste in my mouth. I am happy I was wrong. Here I am, two years later and I already know Clemson will always have a special place in my heart too— as will Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen. I’ve learned that what they say is true. It’s not the place, as much as I love being by the water, but it is the people that make a place. I have really felt that here at Clemson.

My first Clemson football game with some of my tiger sister teammates.

      

Visiting my brother in New York. My parents visiting my Freshman Year. Going to visit my homestay sister who I boarded with year 11 and 12 this summer in North Carolina where she attends university at Elon.

 

I think a massive part of feeling at home is the Clemson family and specifically, the other international student athletes I have come to know and call great mates of mine. It is sort of a mutual nod when you watch another international’s eyes light up to an incoming facetime from home when time zones finally line up. Or sharing in the joy seeing them open a package from home like a kid on Christmas morning. It’s over homemade meals of foods you’ve never tried before. I cannot help but be grateful because they open your mind to different perspectives and cultures outside of the one you grew up in. I’ll always get a kick out of watching kids try vegemite (always a good laugh). Internationals have a shared connection of taking on the Unites States and understanding the challenges like homesickness, COVID-19 travel bans and wrapping your heads around grits and who thought it was a good idea to put a prawn in one (they belong on the barbie).

 

In the next International Spotlight, I will be continue this series sharing the perspectives of some of the incredible, talented, beautiful beings I have had the pleasure of meeting due to our shared connection as international students of Clemson University.

 

Go Tigs!!

 

 

 

Local Terms/Phrases/Slang to Get Familiar With

Mum: Mom or Mother

Big Smoke: A city

Trinity College: In Australia it is common for private high schools to be called colleges

Year 12: Senior year of high school

Prawn: Shrimp

Barbie: BBQ or Grill

 

References

Clemson University Office of Institutional Research, 2020.https://www.clemson.edu/institutional-effectiveness/oir/factbook/index.html

Posted in Communication Department, Intern Insight

Student Spotlight Jasmine Lewis

Posted on by hhank

Welcome to our Student Spotlight! We regularly highlight current undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Communication to showcase their unique endeavors and contributions to our department, campus community and the world.

Jasmine Lewis, senior sports communication major with a brand communication minor, hails from Atlanta, Georgia and is an active member of the Clemson Rowing team. Jasmine plans to graduate in May of 2022 but has made the most of her undergraduate experience, even with the interruption of COVID-19. Continue reading to learn more about how she has taken advantage of the University Professional Internship Co-Op Program (UPIC) and blended her academic and professional interests over the past year.

 

Since January, Jasmine has interned with the Erwin Center for Brand Communications through the UPIC Program (in partnership with Student-Athlete Development). The Erwin Center provides opportunities and insight to help guide and build the next generation of brand leaders. The program prepares students for careers in brand communication and focuses on professional development of future brand leaders. Links for both the

 

Recently, Jasmine assisted with the Erwin Center’s DIVE IN brand academy, a week-long immersive experience for college students interested in the field of brand communications.

DIVE IN is dedicated to advancing diversity in brand communications by enhancing the skills and abilities of future brand leaders. This was the third year of the program and Jasmine had the opportunity to run the Erwin Center’s social media throughout the week. Jasmine kept others informed on the work the scholars were participating in as well as what the brand leaders taught to the participants. Jasmine noted that, “throughout this experience [she] gained a stronger understanding of what it means to be proud of the work you do, how to brand yourself by the work you do, and how opportunities connect and grow within the industry.”

 

Jasmine said the insight she gains from working with the staff of Erwin Center has been the best part of the internship. She explained that the work she does is not just busy work, but actually work she can see her herself doing in the future. After college she would love to serve in the Peace Core for a few of years and then return to work for an agency or a company and help with their branding or social media growth. One area she has been able to hone during her internship are her technological skills. She has had the opportunity to learn how to design, create, and organize through the many different media platforms. Another skill she has picked up in this type of work environment are conversational and relational engagement. “I learn by watching [my mentor] during meetings and how she takes notes and goes and gets the work done efficiently… and learning to do work in better standards than everyone had anticipated.” Advice Jasmine would give to other students wanting to intern with the Erwin Center would be focus on time management and be ready to learn with every new project.

 

In addition to her internship this summer, Jasmine will be doing a cross country road trip with one of her friends. They will be flying into Arizona and touring National Parks like the Grand Canyon and visiting Salt Lake City as they drive back to Clemson, South Carolina.

 

Learn more about the program’s Jasmine is involved with by clicking the links below:

 

Sports Communication Major @ Clemson University: https://www.clemson.edu/degrees/sports-communication

 

Erwin Center for Brand Communications: https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/erwin/

 

UPIC: https://career.sites.clemson.edu/internship_programs/UPIC_program/

 

Student-Athlete Development: https://clemsontigers.com/student-athlete-development-2/

 

 

Posted in Communication Department

Meet the Interns | Summer 2021

Posted on by hhank

Three new interns are working under the guidance of Dr. Lori Pindar as media communication and engagement inters this summer. Their internships experience in the Department of Communication will include content creation for the departmental blog, YouTube Channel, and other social as well as alumni outreach and interviews, external communication management and upkeep of the departmental newsletter. Learn more about Abbie, Hannah, and Jackson below!

 

Abbie Panuccio

Abbie Panuccio is a junior marketing major with a minor in sports communication. Hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, she is the youngest of four girls. She and her sisters grew up as tigers which did not make Abbie’s decision difficult when it was time to look at colleges. Abbie’s favorite part of Clemson is the Clemson family and her fondest memories are walking the dikes and the many meals she has had at the Esso Club with her friends. She is also deeply involved in the campus community as a member of Alpha Delta Pi where she serves as the chair of special events as well as a member of Fellowship Christian Athletes where she serves on the prayer and encouragement team. Abbie’s passion to serve others has served her well at Clemson through the numerous opportunities Clemson has provided her and she is happy to call Clemson her home.

 

 

Hannah Hank

Hannah Hank is a 20 year old international student-athlete who will be a junior this year as she continues her degree as an English major with a minor in Communication. Hannah calls Port Lincoln, South Australia home, growing up on the beautiful coast of the Eyre Peninsula, her family runs an oyster farm/tour operator business called Experience Coffin Bay. In her free time she enjoys being by the ocean/lake/pool, hikes and spending time with friends and family. She represented her state at the Australian Basketball Championships and was selected for two Junior National squads before being recruited to Clemson University. Since moving to the United States to continue her education and basketball career, Hannah has joined the Tiger Leadership Academy and recently was appointed as an ambassador for Tigers Around the Globe (TAG) affiliated with the athletic department.

 

 

Jackson Moehler

Jackson Moehler is a junior Sports Communication major with minors in psychology and nonprofit leadership. She is from Marietta, Georgia and is the oldest of five siblings. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her family and friends, try new restaurants (follow her food Instagram @tigertown_treats), and watch her favorite television show, Friends. Jackson also has a 9-month-old golden retriever  puppy named Boone. Boone loves going on walks at the dike and swimming at the rowing docks! Jackson grew up playing soccer and basketball and now is a member of the Clemson Women’s Soccer team. Jackson chose Clemson University because she loved the family atmosphere of both the campus and the people. She also loved how sports plays a huge role in the culture of Clemson and how everyone rallies together for all of the different athletic teams. Jackson chose Sports Communication as her major because she wanted to be able to learn about the inner workings of a sports team and organization from a school that is known for their athletics. Sports have helped shape her into who she is, and she would love to start a career with any major sports organization within their media department.

 

Follow our work here and be sure to check-out our work in these locations:

LinkedIn: Department of Communication-Clemson University
YouTube: ClemsonCOMMChannel
Instagram: @Clemson_Comm
Twitter: @ClemsonCOMM
Facebook. @ClemsonCOMM
Online: www.clemson.edu/communication

Posted in Communication Department, Current Events, Intern Insight

Meet the Department: Ashley Pikel

Posted on by bpkane

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: Ashley Pikel

Ashley Pikel

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Ashley Pikel, Lecturer in the Department of Communication.

Professor Pikel teaches public speaking and loves being able to help her students conquer their fears of the subject. She is able to cultivate a low stress environment that includes no dress code and frequent visits from her cat so her students can learn to feel comfortable speaking in front of others. Additionally, Professor Pikel is always there for her students when they need help.

Professor Pikel has found many positive aspects of online learning. The chat function has been especially useful as it has allowed introverted students who may not normally speak up in class to participate through the chat. Even so, she is excited for when things get back to normal and she can experience walking over a crowded library bridge once more.

Professor’s advice to communication students is to not give up and to keep working towards their goals! She believes her students are capable of great things.

Watch the video below to learn more about Ashley Pikel!

https://youtu.be/C1BNeI71IOs

 

Posted in Communication Department

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT AWARDS 2021

Posted on by bpkane

On behalf of the department we would like to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients. These students have worked tirelessly to be the best at what they do and deserve recognition.

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (Sports Comm):

Spencer Peltz     

This award is presented to a senior with an outstanding academic record in Sports Communication. This award is given annually to a student in recognition of their outstanding performance in the classroom, academic achievement, involvement in the program, creative effort, and character.

Spencer is a Rising Senior in the Sport Communication major. Since he was a freshman, he has been working in the Clemson Athletics Communication Department with a keen focus on the baseball program where he helps to manage the social media platforms. Spencer believes that he has achieved excellence in the classroom because his professors at Clemson have taught him what it means to truly learn and have an enriching academic experience. To Spencer, excellence is not just about earning high grades, but is also about being able apply what is learned to his future career. Congrats Spencer, we are excited to see the great things you will accomplish in the world of sports in the future!

Learn more about Spencer in this video!

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (Communication)

Brooke Tannehill

This award is presented to a graduating senior with an outstanding academic record in Communication. This award is given annually to a student in recognition of their outstanding performance in the classroom, academic achievement, involvement in the program, creative effort, and character.

Brooke is a graduating Senior Communication student who has always been a people person. When she was looking at Clemson, she was deciding between marketing and communication and the communication department’s exclusive program that utilized a small classroom style stood out to her. From her time at Clemson, Brooke has come to realize that communication is her strength and music is her passion which has led her to pursue a career path in the music industry. Brooke believes that the best way to learn communication is to actually experience in a work environment. For this reason, Brooke has had a variety of internships while at Clemson and is currently a student worker for Clemson online, Press intern for Chuff Media in London. Congrats Brooke, we are glad that you could use communication to follow your passion and are excited to see what you do in the future!

Learn more about Brooke in this video!

Award for Excellence in Diversity and Communication

Tahj Robinson

This award is given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in engaging diversity in their personal, academic, and/or civic endeavors. Particular consideration is given to candidates who have addressed timely and critical issues in their communities or on a global scale.

Tahj is a graduating Senior Communication student. Tahj chose to be a part of Clemson’s Communication program because he loves talking to people and studying culture and has always wanted to be a Clemson student. Tahj seeks out opportunities to accept people in the Clemson community who are similar and different than him and has done this with the Connections program and as a Resident Assistant on campus. One of Tahj’s favorite parts about being a student at Clemson has been being able to meet people from across the world. To him, it is so amazing that he has been able to meet so many people that are very different from him but still have grown to be his best and lifelong friends. Congrats Tahj, we can’t wait to see where your future takes you!

Learn more about Tahj in this video!

Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership
Brooke Fletcher

This award is given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in engaging topics relevant to the quality of public life in their personal, academic, and/or civic endeavors. Particular consideration is given to candidates who have addressed timely and critical issues in their communities through applied research or service learning.

Brooke is a rising senior communication major. Brooke loved working on the yearbook in high school which initially drew her to graphic communication. She soon realized she was missing writing and interviewing and switched to communication. Brooke is passionate about creating spaces where people feel comfortable to share their story with her and then using her abilities and resources to broadcast it. In addition to her work in the department, Brooke is involved with the Community Outreach Servent Team of FCA where she partners with different non-profit organizations in the area to help with whatever they might need. This gave her an opportunity to listen to the stories of people who have lived in the area all of their lives and make a deeper connection with the community. Brooke advises prospective students to put themselves out there with professors, classmates, and friends and get to know people. Congrats Brooke, we are excited to see the great things you do in the future!

Learn more about Brooke in this video!

The Doreen Geddes Memorial Award for Excellence in Women and Communication

Na-Dya Gamble

Dr. Doreen Geddes was one of the first female chairs to serve at Clemson University. Dr. Geddes was actively involved in issues related to student civic and academic engagement and was particularly interested as a researcher in the lived experiences of women. To honor Dr. Geddes’ memory, the Department of Communication annually recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in engaging issues relevant to women’s lives in their personal, academic, and/or civic endeavors. Particular consideration is given to candidates who have addressed timely and critical women’s issues in the communities or on a global scale.

Na-Dya is a senior pursuing a Communication major and Political Science and Sociology minors from Greeleyville, South Carolina. During her tenure at Clemson, Na-Dya has been a volunteer for Tigerama planning committee, a member of the Clemson Pursuit planning committee, is the president of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and is an intern with Clemson Athletics. 

Na-Dya chose to pursue a degree in communication because she saw it as a springboard that could launch her into a variety of different professions later on in life. One thing that stands out to Na-Dya about Clemson’s Department of Communication is how the professors allow students to be creative in all of their endeavors. When Na-Dya found herself in the hospital for a month, it was her communications professors who were constantly checking on her and emailing her. While this was to ensure she was aware of any upcoming coursework, her professors were also concerned about her physical and mental well-being. It is this consideration and empathy of the professors that sets the Department of Communication apart from other majors for Na-Dya. 

The Communication Outstanding Graduate Teacher Award

Hannah Chumley

This award recognizes the graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in classroom instruction, advising, and mentorship, supporting the Department of Communication and Clemson’s land-grant mission.

Hannah is a graduate student in the Masters in Communication, Technology and Society (MACTS) program. Throughout her pursuit of the MACTS program here at Clemson, Hannah’s initial reluctancy towards teaching became one of her greatest strengths. She has taken the challenge as an opportunity to grow her skillset and engage her undergraduate students. After graduation this May, Hannah hopes to go on to work for a non-profit and continue her studies of health communication. During her time at Clemson, Hannah has worked in the Pearce Center for Professional Communication. Congratulations Hannah, and best of luck in your future endeavors. 

Learn more about Hannah in this video!

The Communication Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award

Sai Mikkilineni

This award recognizes the graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in conducting original research, assisting on faculty research projects, presenting at conferences and/or publishing scholarship, bringing recognition to our program, department, and university.

Sai is a graduate student in the Masters in Communication, Technology and Society (MACTS) program. In India, Sai earned his B.A. in Mass Communication, Conversational English, and Political Science. Additionally, he earned a M.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism. His passion is research, and he will be continuing to research sport communication as he begins the Doctoral program in Communication at the University of Alabama following graduation this May. During his time at Clemson, Sai was a senator on Graduate Student Government, a member of the College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences Student Advisory Board, and a member of the E-Sports Club. Congratulations Sai, and we cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will continue to achieve. 

Learn more about Sai in this video!

The Communication Award for Outstanding Communication in Practice

Tanisha Tak

This award recognizes the graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in communication in applied and business contexts, has fostered community relationships in for profit and/or non-profit contexts, and who has prioritized stakeholder relationships.

Tanisha is a graduate student in the Masters in Communication, Technology and Society (MACTS) program. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media from Arkansas State University, Tanisha was offered the Assistant Director position in the Communication Center at Clemson. Tanisha’s advice for undergraduate students is to go ahead and apply for graduate school. After seeing gender inequality first-hand growing up in India, Tanisha has developed a passion for women’s education and feminism. She hopes to use her education and research to help find the intersection between communication and women’s movements. Congratulations Tanisha, and we cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will continue to achieve. 

Learn more about Tanisha in this video!

Posted in Communication Department

Meet the Department: Jumah Taweh

Posted on by bpkane

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: Jumah Taweh

Jumah Taweh

The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Jumah Taweh, Lecturer in the Department of Communication and Faculty in Residence through the Department of Student Affairs.

Professor Taweh is passionate about being a teacher and putting her students’ needs first. She not only loves delivering information to her students, but also receiving information back from her students. She also loves getting to know her students and their unique personalities.  Professor Taweh keeps her students engaged with group work, class discussions and pop culture examples. She also knows that students learn in a variety of ways so she tends to vary how she delivers information on a day to day basis.

Professor Taweh is looking forward to the excitement that comes with being in a full, lively classroom as opposed to a virtual space. Although she has found ways to keep students immersed in online learning, she cannot wait until she can stand face to face with her students and experience live interactions once again.

Watch the video below to hear all about Jumah Taweh and her love for all things communication and Clemson.

Posted in Communication Department

Meet the Department: Dr. Bryan Denham

Posted on by bpkane

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. Bryan Denham

Dr. Bryan Denham

 The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Dr. Bryan Denham, Professor of Sports Communication.

Dr. Denham has been a proud member of Clemson’s Department of Communication for the past 20 years. While at Clemson, he has studied performance enhancing substance abuse in sport, how the media portrays the issues, how the portrayal by the media can affect policy, and how the policies sometimes work and sometimes do not, all in great depth. Additionally, Dr. Denham recently published the faculty open forum “On the Cancelation of Men’s Track and Field at Clemson”.

Dr. Denham hosts highly participatory discussion based classes. By doing so, Dr. Denham not only keeps his students engaged, but also enables others in the class to hear different perspectives on sports issues. I had the pleasure of experiencing this first hand in Dr. Denham’s Sports Media Criticism class and found the technique to be very effective. In order to succeed in Dr. Denham’s classes, one must participate and engage with the class as well as respond in great depth to essay exams.

Learn more about Dr. Denham and the experience he has gained in the department in the last 20 years!

Posted in Communication Department

Meet the Department: Dr. James Gilmore

Posted on by bpkane

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. James Gilmore


The next faculty member we would like to introduce you to is Dr. James Gilmore, Assistant Professor of Media and Technology Studies in the Department of Communication.

Dr. Gilmore uses low stakes participation elements as opportunities to reflect on how they connect their personal experiences to the materials they are learning. In Dr. Gilmore’s class, you get what you give. Students who are willing to share their ideas and be a part of the system of the class will do much better than those who do not.

Dr. Gilmore misses the moments before class started where he could chit chat with his students and get to know more about their personal lives. He also misses students and colleagues coming into or even just passing by his office. Dr. Gilmore looks forward to all of the moments he used to take for granted that help build a classroom community when everyone is back on campus.  

Learn more about Dr. Gilmore and all he has to offer in the department below!

Posted in Communication Department

Fulbright Semi-Finalist – Linnea Bacon(’19)

Posted on by bpkane

Linnea Bacon(’19)

Linnea Bacon graduated from Clemson in December 2019 with a dual degree in Psychology and Sports Communication. While at Clemson Linnea worked for Clemson football in recruiter and player development which piqued her interest in the sports side of research and academia. Her work with Clemson football as well as a talk she attended given by Dr. Mazer on research in the Social Media Listening Center are what lead her to add a Sports Communication major. In the department, Linnea developed close relationships with her professors due to theirintentionality and the small class sizes. Her classes were very discussion based which allowed her to further develop her critical thinking, material application and verbal communication skills. In particular, Dr. Cramner had a great influence on Linnea and made her realize that there were more opportunities to work in sports besides the traditional on the field and reporting jobs.

While at Clemson, Linnea produced a thesis about Mental Health and Student-Athletes who had recovered from concussions. She surveyed over 100 Student-Athletes at the high school and college level. Linnea found that athletes with a history of concussion were more likely to have anxiety, depression, and sport anxiety as well as lower perceived social support. Dr. Cramner was instrumental as a member of her thesis committee and was able to draw from his previous research on concussions. Linnea’s Psychology advisor, Dr. Kowalski, also served on her thesis committee and had great influence on her success at Clemson.

Linnea got involved with Fulbright through a fellowship information session in the Office of Major Fellowships. She found that Fulbright had a Health Science and Sport fellowship at the University of Sterling in the UK and immediately applied.  If she is granted this fellowship, Linnea will live in the UK for a year, conducting research on mental health and athletes. At the conclusion of the year, she would graduate with a Master’s of Science in Sports Psychology.

Currently, Linnea is working at the University of Michigan as a research assistant in the Department of Psychiatry. She is researching how social media can be used to deliver psychological interventions for young adults who may be at risk for substance abuse.

Linnea aspires to work as a clinical or sports psychologist. She wants to work with athletes that struggle with mental health since she understands that athletes are under intense pressure, much more than normal students, and often do not get the support they need. She also plans to research athlete pressures and culture and how to mitigate some of the risks that athletes take and the consequences of said risks.

Linnea suggests that current Communication students get to know their professors. Students can utilize professors and their research and experience to help and support them on their path. Later on, students can also use the relationships for recommendations, thesis help and research assistance and guidance. Linnea also advises students to get involved on campus so they can apply the experiences that they are learning in classroom. Finally, Linnea recommends developing public speaking, Interviewing, relationship building and research skills.

Best of luck to Linnea on her Fulbright journey!

 

Posted in Alumni Interviews