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School Leadership

Photo of Stephen Yungbluth

Stephen Yungbluth, Ph.D.

Professor
Director, School of Media and Communication

GH 400B
859-572-5672
yungbluths1@nku.edu

Bio

Personal

I am a Cincinnati native, but have lived in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and New York, as well as Kentucky. I am married to a physical therapist who works at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. We have a son and a daughter who are both creative and gifted.

Academic

I earned both my Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication from the University of Kentucky, and I received my B.A. in Organizational Communication from Xavier University with a minor in Spanish. My primary areas of study include Interpersonal, Organizational, and Small Group Communication with a special emphasis in the area of conflict management. 

I enjoy teaching both at the graduate and undergraduate level. I am very excited about teaching a study abroad class in London on Cultural Comparisons of British and American Sport through the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad.

Photo of Sara Drabik

Sara Drabik, M.A.

Professor
Program Head, Media & Journalism

GH 504A

859-572-6575
drabiks1@nku.edu

Bio

Academic

Sara Drabik is a documentary filmmaker and Associate Professor of Electronic Media and Broadcasting in the College of Informatics at Northern Kentucky University. Specializing in non-fiction storytelling, her work has been featured by the University Film and Video Association, the Broadcast Education Association, National Public Radio, the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, and KET (the Kentucky PBS affiliate). Her current research is a collaboration with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance and explores the changing roles of women in the international coffee industry.

Sara teaches courses in documentary film and media literacy, focusing on transdisciplinary projects and study abroad opportunities. She has led NKU students in numerous media productions throughout Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Guatemala.

Photo of Jeff Fox

Jeff Fox, M.A.

Lecturer
Associate Director, School of Media and Communication

GH 557
859-572-5975
foxj@nku.edu

Bio

Personal

I am originally from north of Dayton, OH, and have lived in Northern Kentucky since 1998.   I enjoy traveling and do so whenever opportunity allows.

Academic

I came to the Department of Communication as a CMST Lecturer and Coordinator of NKU's CMST 101, Public Speaking, Program. Previously I worked in the College of Informatics as an advisor in the COI Advising Center, as well as through the Department of Educational Outreach as the coordinator of the School-Based Scholars Program. In the position as the School-Based Scholars Coordinator, I worked to bring college courses to local high schools. Additionally, I served as the coordinator for Prior Learning Assessment, where I worked with adult students in assisting them with credit for prior learning.

I teach CMST 101, Public Speaking and CMST 340, Strategies of Persuasion at NKU. As a part of my teaching, I stay involved with the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, adding to my passion for exposing students to service/experiential learning.

I am a 2006 graduate of NKU with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Professional Writing. I also received my Master’s Degree in Communication in December of 2008, as well as a Communication Teaching Certificate in 2012. Prior to my work in higher education, I spent six years in the airline industry and enjoy related research in airline/organizational communication, crisis communication, and rhetoric.  

Photo of Zach Hart

Zach Hart, Ph.D.

Professor
Program Head, Communication & Public Relations

GH 508

859-572-5573
hartz@nku.edu

Bio

Personal

I was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois.  I also have lived in Chicago, IL; East Lansing, MI; and Columbia, MO.  I am the father of two sons, one of whom is a NKU graduate.  

Academic

I joined the NKU faculty in 2003.  I earned my PhD in Communication from Michigan State University.  I previously taught at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Concordia University-Chicago.  My research interests focus on the information seeking strategies and sensemaking process for parents of children with disabilities and the socialization of new employees.  I teach Communication Studies, Health Communication and Public Relations courses.  I previously served as department chair from 2010-11 and 2012-2018.

School Staff

Photo of Tina Peebles

Tina Peebles

Senior Coordinator for Operations & Budget
College of Informatics

GH 400F
859-572-7732
peeblesti@nku.edu

Bio

I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Thomas More College, and then went on to earn my Master’s degree in English at Northern Kentucky University. I first started working for NKU in the Department of English as an Academic Secretary, and then I moved on to my current position in the College of Informatics. I recently got married in November 2023, and my husband and I have one cat, Buddy. When I am not at work, I love to bake, cook, and watch silly reality TV shows.

 

Photo of Grant Beccaccio

Grant Beccaccio, B.A.

Academic Coordinator
College of Informatics

GH 400E
859-572-5435
beccacciog1@nku.edu

Bio

Personal

I currently live in Fort Thomas, KY and love this area. I am a nerd to my core and enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends.

Academic

I graduated from NKU in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Media Broadcasting. I started working at NKU in the Office of Financial Assistance and enjoy the atmosphere here, just like when I was a student! I jumped at the chance to come back to the college where I got my degree.

 

Sue Murphy Angel

Summer Smith

Academic Specialist
College of Informatics

GH 400C
859-572-5598
smiths51@nku.edu

Bio

I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Thomas More College, and then went on to earn my Master’s degree in English at Northern Kentucky University. I first started working for NKU in the Department of English as an Academic Secretary, and then I moved on to my current position in the College of Informatics. I recently got married in November 2023, and my husband and I have one cat, Buddy. When I am not at work, I love to bake, cook, and watch silly reality TV shows.

 

School Faculty

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* indicates part-time faculty; some may not be teaching every semester
* indicates part-time faculty; some may not be teaching every semester