Our People

George Sowards

Part-Time Faculty*

GH 460
sowardsg1@nku.edu

Angeline Feldmann

Part-Time Faculty*

GH 460
mallorya1@nku.edu

Jessica Dennis

Part-Time Faculty*

GH 460
dennisj2@nku.edu

Cady Short-Thompson

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
president@nku.edu

Butch Maier

Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor

GH 559
maiere2@nku.edu

Annie Hammock

Associate Professor of Practice

GH 528
859-572-1921
hammock1@nku.edu

Samuel New

Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor

GH 428
859-572-6431
news1@nku.edu

Durell Hamm

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
hammd@nku.edu

Gina Wesley

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
wesleyg@nku.edu

Jason Mossman

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
mossmanj1@nku.edu

Brendan McDonough

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
mcdonoughb1@nku.edu

AJ Miller

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
millera5@nku.edu

Amanda Andrews

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
andrewsa7@nku.edu

Vanessa Steele

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
steelev1@nku.edu

Sarah Schroeder

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
schroedersar@nku.edu

Sharmaine McLaren

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
mclarens1@nku.edu

Darren McCullah

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
mccullahd@nku.edu

Becca Costello

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
costellor2@nku.edu

Kevin Schultz

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
schultzk2@nku.edu

Shanon Rice

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
rices9@nku.edu

Callie Clare

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
clarec2@nku.edu

Marissa Bowman

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
bowmanm10@nku.edu

Stephen Yungbluth, Ph.D.

Professor
Director, School of Media and Communication

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

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.

Wes Akers, M.A.

Teaching Professor

GH 542
859-572-6316
akersw@nku.edu

Personal

Wes is originally from outside Dayton, Ohio and he graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and in 2004 he earned a Master’s Degree in Communication from Florida Atlantic University.

Academic

Wes Akers teaches Electronic Media and Broadcasting courses primarily focused on live TV productions as well as news and sports broadcast journalism.

He has been a free-lance camera operator working on Emmy winning sports productions for the likes of ESPN, HBO and Fox Sports Ohio. He is also an Emmy-nominated producer for nationally distributed public television news documentaries. Wes was co-producer for a public radio documentary that won an Edward R. Murrow award recognizing excellence in broadcast journalism. In addition to teaching, he currently directs and produces many of the NKU sports events for ESPN3.

Nick Brummer, M.F.A.

Associate Professor of Practice

GH 512
859-572-5974
brummern@nku.edu

Academic

Nick received his undergrad from NKU in Studio Arts with a focus in drawing and painting as well as a minor in Creative Writing. He was also a student of the Media Informatics department for two years concentrated on 3D and web design. He received his MFA in 2014 from Fullsail University in Media Design, which concentrated on branding and marketing products and companies through well-researched, diverse, multi-media campaigns.

Nick has worked in the industry since 2007 as a graphic designer, web/mobile designer, instructional designer and 3d modeler/animator. He began teaching at NKU in 2015 as an adjunct and is now a fulltime member of the Media Informatics department.

In his free time, he teaches and practices martial arts, paints, writes short stories, poetry and currently has a novel in the works. He also writes and records music.

His research time is spent making new connections with the professional world, keeping up with current trends and technologies, and continually working to perfect the art of storytelling in 3D.

Eric Chatterjee

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
chatterjee1@nku.edu

Megan Cole

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
colem8@nku.edu

Michelle Crowley, M.A.

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
crowleym1@nku.edu

Personal

I was born and raised in Northern Kentucky. I enjoy reading, thrifting, Netflixing, playing video games, hanging with my cats, and traveling.

Academic

I graduated from Thomas More College with a degree in Theatre and Communication. After a short trip into the professional work of technical theatre, I retreated to academia to earn my MA in Communication at University of Cincinnati.

I was extremely fortunate to join the NKU family freshly out of graduate school. I worked for 4 years as an adjunct instructor prior to my present role as a lecturer. I am able to use my love of theatre to enhance my teaching style while teaching public speaking and introduction to communication classes. More recently, I’ve been able to expand my interests into the pop culture discipline, which allows me to further my research on the influence of heroes and villains in popular culture and mass communication. 

Whittney Darnell, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

GH 547
859-572-1329
darnellw1@nku.edu

Academic

Whittney H. Darnell, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Northern Kentucky University. Her research focuses on understanding and improving the conversations people have about their health and wellness in everyday health contexts, such as patient-provider interactions, organizational settings, and as caregivers and health advocates for others. Her work has appeared in academic journals, such as Health Communication, Qualitative Health Research, and the Journal of International Research in Higher Education.

Michele Day, M.A.

Part-Time Faculty*

GH 548
859-572-1921
daymi@nku.edu

Personal
I spent almost 20 years in newsrooms, including 17 as a reporter and editor for the Cincinnati Post newspaper and its sister publication in Kentucky. I’m married to a techie and have two sons and a daughter-in-law.

Academic
I’ve taught a variety of classes since joining NKU’s journalism faculty in 2001, including experiential news workshops, news writing, feature writing, Science in the Media and Introduction to Mass Communication. In 2012, I became adviser for The Northerner, NKU’s student-run news organization, and Norse Code Radio, an online radio station. My emphasis has been helping students transition to digital- and mobile-first production. I’m the founding director of the NKU Journalism in the Digital Age Workshop, an annual weeklong program for high school students.  I’m the 2018-19 chair of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association, which represents student media across the state and faculty adviser for NKU’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. I previously served on the national board for the Society of Professional Journalists.

My academic interests include narrative and multimedia storytelling, science journalism and teaching with technology. I earned a Master’s in Communication degree from NKU and a B.A. in journalism from Western Kentucky University.

Sara Drabik, M.A.

Professor
Program Head, Media & Journalism

GH 504A
859-572-6575
drabiks1@nku.edu

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.

Phillip duBarry

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
dubarryp1@nku.edu

Personal

Philip grew up in Tennessee but has lived in Cincinnati for the last twenty years. He and his wife have six children. He also serves as the associate pastor of Addyston Baptist Church.

Academic

Philip has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Middle Tennessee State University and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from John Leland Baptist College. Philip has also made a successful side career as a board game designer with over a dozen published titles. Some of his games include: Revolution! (Steve Jackson Games, 2009), Courtier (AEG, 2012), Spirits of the Rice Paddy (APE Games, 2015), Black Orchestra (Game Salute, 2017), and Embark (Tasty Minstrel Games, 2019).

Jacqueline Emerine, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

GH 436
859-572-7553
mcnallyj1@nku.edu

Personal

I was born and raised in Ft. Wayne, Indiana but moved to Ohio in 2000. I am married to a middle school STEM teacher named Matt and we have two amazing sons and a bearded dragon named Aang (also a male … I’m totally outnumbered!).

Academic

I earned my undergraduate communication degree in 1997 and my Masters degree in 1999, both from Purdue University in Ft. Wayne. I then went on to complete my PhD in Interpersonal Communication and Instructional Communication from Kent State University in 2005. I have taught at IPFW, Kent State and Bowling Green State University before arriving at NKU in 2006. My research interests are in interpersonal communication, pedagogy, persuasion and PR. Most of my research focuses on factors both in and out of the classroom that increase student learning.

I enjoy teaching both at the graduate and undergraduate level, especially Interpersonal, Research Methods, Pedagogy and Persuasion. In addition, I serve on many committees at the department, college, university and regional level.

Tayler Carter

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
cartert3@nku.edu

Sherri Farley

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
farleys1@nku.edu

Jeff Fox, M.A.

Associate Teaching Professor
Associate Director, School of Media and Communication

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

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.  

John Gibson, M.A.

Teaching Professor

GH 571
859-572-5692
gibsonj5@nku.edu

Academic

John Gibson is a lecturer in Electronic Media and Broadcasting at Northern Kentucky University, as well as  producer at NorseMedia. He’s been at NKU since August 2008, and lives in Bellevue, KY with his wife (Candace) and two kids (Silas and Emery). He earned his undergrad in History/Political Science, and an MA in Communication, from Murray State University.

Prior to starting at NKU, he worked for several years in Murray, KY, at an NPR member station, as well as created content for PEG access stations in the city. In addition to those adventures in media, he hosted his own late night radio show and also produced PSAs and television ads for local organizations and companies. A writer and filmmaker at heart, Gibson has participated in several 48 hour film competitions, and his first feature film, a western-horror titled "Revelation Trail," has been distributed in North America. Additionally, "As The Water Rises: Finding the Lost Community of Bowlingtown," a documentary that he helped produce at NorseMedia, has aired on KET and KET2.

Current projects (2018)  include a short film called “Half Finished” which is being submitted to festivals, as well as “Choose Bellevue,” a hybrid mix of documentary and marketing in the community of Bellevue.

Gibson’s always on a mission to tell cool new stories, develop new projects, learn new production techniques and find toys to add to his Star Wars collection. One of these things takes highest priority over all others…

Wayne Gates

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
gatesw1@nku.edu

Kimberly Grillot

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
wilsonkim@nku.edu

Zach Hart, Ph.D.

Professor
Program Head, Communication & Public Relations

GH 508
859-572-5573
hartz@nku.edu

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.

Dean Hume

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
humed2@nku.edu

Academic

While he called coaching his son’s baseball team his most important claim to fame, Dean Hume has been teaching high school or college-level journalism classes and advising subsequent secondary-level or collegiate publications for 36 years. A former reporter and columnist for various daily and weekly papers across the state, Hume currently teaches Journalism I, II and III-honors level journalism classes at Lakota East High School in Liberty Township, Ohio, where he is in his 25th year advising Spark, the award-winning, 76-page, color, glossy-paper, monthly news magazine that routinely features a staff of more than 125 students. Spark is a perennial Gold Crown, Gallup, Pacemaker and JEA National Best of Show winner as well as a two-time SPJ student publication of the year. A Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Distinguished Advisor, and a NOSPA Hall of Fame Advisor, Hume serves as an adjunct professor of Journalism in the School of Informatics at Northern Kentucky University. Named a “Trailblazer Award” winner by the Texas Association of Journalism Educators, a “Educator of Excellence” by the 20,000-student Lakota School District, a 2002 Presidential Scholar Educator by the U. S. Department of Education, Hume also teaches at numerous journalism workshops and state conventions across the country.

Stacie Jankowski, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

GH 536
859-572-7760
meihauss1@nku.edu

Personal

On social media I’ve referred to myself as a “teacher, former reporter, pop culture junkie, media studier, and mommy.” I’m a born-and-raised Northern Kentuckian who feels lucky to have returned home. My husband and I have two boys.

Academic

I earned my BA in Journalism and English from the University of Kentucky in 2004, my MA in Journalism from Indiana University in 2009, and my PhD in Mass Communication from Indiana University in 2015. My main research interests involve health communication—both how different media discuss health issues and how the ways health is covered impact audiences. These projects often intersect with topics of stigma, religion, and pop culture. In addition, I have a passion for First Amendment law.

You’ll often find me teaching media law (JOU 485) and media ethics (JOU 440), as well as other classes in the journalism program.

Stephen Johnson

Teaching Professor
Speech Apprehension Coordinator

GH 437
859-572-7678
johnsonste@nku.edu

Sunil Ketty, M.F.A, M.Ed

Associate Professor

GH 412
859-572-7791
kettys1@nku.edu

Academic

Sunil received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Bowling Green State University, leading to a career in video game development as a 2D/3D Digital Artist.  He was responsible for working on game cinematics, character & prop texturing, environment lighting and modeling.  He made the transitioned to education following his game developing career.  Sunil spent 8 years as a full-time faculty member in the Media Arts & Animation Department at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  He is well-versed in techniques and software associated with 3D computer art, digital compositing, broadcast graphics, digital design, editing, and interactive media.  Prior to joining NKU, he was an Adjunct Instructor at Columbus State Community College and Columbus College of Art & Design for a variety of courses/departments.  Beyond teaching, he immerses himself in freelance design, consulting, and post-production as a VFX & 3D Artist at The Ohio Film Group.

He received a Master of Fine Arts from Columbus College of Art & Design.  His core emphasis was conceptualizing designs through multimedia techniques in computer art, animation, and design.  His passion for art, combined with a strong focus on education, resulted in obtaining a Master of Education in Art Education from Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Sunil’s motivation is based on the merger of his professional work experiences and a student focused philosophy, to guide makers towards their own successful professional practices in a creative field.

Stephanie Klatzke, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Associate Dean, College of Informatics

GH 500D
859-572-6903
klatzkes1@nku.edu

Personal

I am originally from Paducah, KY but I have also lived in Missouri and Ohio. I am married with two daughters and I love to read.

Academic

I received my B.A. in Organizational Communication from Murray State University in 2001; my M.A. in Communication from the University of Cincinnati in 2003, and my Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Missouri in 2009. I am the Co-Director of our Graduate Program and I coordinate the COI Principles of Informatics course.  I  teach undergraduate courses including  Organizational Communication, Research Methods, Principles of Informatics, and graduate courses in Communication Theory and Organizational Communication and Identity.  My research interests are in organizational communication; I am particularly interested in the exit process (in a nutshell, people quitting  their jobs).

Jessica Kratzer, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

GH 459
859-572-7933
kratzerj1@nku.edu

I earned my B.A. in Communication from Northern Kentucky University in 2002, my M.A. in Communication from the University of Cincinnati in 2004, and my Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Missouri in 2011 with a graduate minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. My research interests are in interpersonal communication with an emphasis on intimate relationships. My recent research focuses on popular culture films/shows that focus on sex and intimate relationships (e.g., Fifty Shades of Grey, Netflix's Sex Education and BONDiNG, and TLC's Hot and Heavy) as well as senior citizen sexual communication, and the influence of romance novels on intimate relationships.

I teach undergraduate courses that include interpersonal communication, gender and communication, communication theory, sex and communication, and small group communication. I also teach several graduate level courses.

Yasue Kuwahara, Ph.D.

Professor

GH 561
859-572-5291
kuwahara@nku.edu

Personal

Originally from Tokyo, Dr. Kuwahara moved to the U.S. upon graduation from Waseda University with a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She received a M.A. in American Studies from California State University, Fullerton, and a Ph.D. in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University.

Academic

Dr. Kuwahara has taught a variety of courses on American, Asian, and international popular culture as well as mass media at NKU since 1989. An expert in the field of popular culture studies, Dr. Kuwahara is the founder and director of the Popular Culture Studies program at NKU. Her on-going research focuses on the U.S. influence on postwar Japanese society and culture. In recent years her research interest has expanded to East Asian popular culture. She is the author/editor of The Korean Wave: Korean Popular Culture in Global Context and “Japanese Culture and Popular Consciousness: Disney’s The Lion King vs. Tezuka’s Jungle Emperor” among others. Dr. Kuwahara is also the editor of the Palgrave East Asian Popular Culture Series.

Andrea Lambert South, Ph.D.

Professor

GH 422
859-572-6615
lamberta3@nku.edu

Dr. Lambert South is a Full Professor in Communication Studies. She received her PhD in Family Communication from the University of Denver, her MA in Interpersonal Communication from Texas Tech University, and her BA in Communication and Psychology from the University of Kansas. Dr. Lambert South recently completed a JD from Chase College of Law and is licensed to practice law in Kentucky. Her areas of expertise include divorce, stepfamilies, co-parenting, family favoritism, juvenile justice, and conversations surrounding death. Professor Lambert South is widely involved in the NKU community both on- and off-campus. In addition to serving as a board member and mediator for the Northern Kentucky Alternative Dispute Resolution Center, she is the NKU IRB Chair. She is also the director of the Communication Studies and Health Communication programs. Dr. Lambert South is an active force in the communication discipline and has served as the Chair of the Family Communication and Master’s Education divisions for the National Communication Association. She has also served as the Chair of the Interpersonal and Small Group Interest Group for the Central States Communication Association. She is active on numerous review boards and is on the editorial board for the Journal of Family Communication, Women and Language, and the Journal of Communication Pedagogy.

Dr. Lambert South's research program examining divorce, favoritism, death, and adolescent treatment has yielded over 75 competitively selected papers at international, national, and regional conferences (including top paper designations) and has led to publications in journals such as the Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, the Journal of Family Communication, Death Studies, Communication Research Reports, Behavioral Sciences, and Qualitative Research Reports.

Mark Leeman, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

GH 538
859-572-7550
leemanm1@nku.edu

Academic

Dr. Leeman’s degree trail is indicative of his passions: He earned a B.S. in secondary education from Ohio State and continues to love teaching. Next came a Master’s degree in Linguistics from Ohio University where he honed his language-centered approach to meaning and organizing. After eight years living, working, and learning abroad, Dr. Leeman earned his Ph.D. in Communication Studies, with a concentration in Organizational Communication, from Ohio University. Through the lenses of Dialogue, Narrative, Alternative Organizing, and Feminisms, Dr. Leeman loves questioning and investigating the ways we manage meanings and organize across radical differences.

Dr. Leeman teaches graduate courses in Communication Theory, Research Methods, Communication & Social Justice, Communication Ethics, Organizational Communication, Critical Ethnography, and Language & Social Interaction. He also enjoys teaching at the undergraduate level on subjects ranging from Public Speaking to Organizational Communication to Interpersonal Communication.

Dr. Leeman’s action research focuses on bridging the gaps of difference - especially the huge socially created differences of class and race.  His passion is investigating the contexts of non-dominant people and discourses in order to empower the human spirit and bring about more equitable and effective organizing. He hopes to continue on a lifelong personal, academic, and humanistic quest to learn the discursive languages of poverty in order to serve a variety of stakeholders. His research aims at better understanding the challenges inherent in the cultural, communicative, and organizing differences between those in the middle class and those struggling with poverty, so that the later are more fully empowered to enter into and be successful at work, at school, as well as in health care and criminal justice settings. Among his core driving tenants is that separation leads to what Mikhail Bakhtin dubbed “absolute death – being unheard and unrecognized,” and that such separation does not lead to effective organizing, society, nor relationships. Better understanding of communication is the path to the cure.

Bradley Libis

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
libisb1@nku.edu

Personal

Brad is originally from Cincinnati and went to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where he got his Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master's in Media Arts & Technology. During his time there he worked on two Telly Award winning documentaries Christ Our Hope: Pilgrimage of the Pope about Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the U.S. and Josh Gibson: The Legend Behind the Plate chronicling the life of the Negro Leagues baseball player which the film has been accepted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Also covered the G-20 Economic Summit, worked on the set of American Idol Season 11, and the HGTV series Showhouse Showdown. Since returning to Cincinnati he's worked as a freelance videographer doing weddings, charity events and working with local high schools on various event recordings. He has been teaching at NKU since 2014 doing Single Camera Production, Video Editing, Media Literacy and Media Studies. When he's not working Brad loves going to sporting events with friends and family, plays all kinds of video and board games, and loves all things movies new and old. Also is an avid Star Wars fan from collecting toys and games to even teaching a class on it at NKU!

Lisa McKale

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
mckalel1@nku.edu

Personal

I was born and raised in Indiana and am a passionate Chicago Cubs fan, Hoo Hoo Hoosier, and volunteer to end Alzheimer's. My husband and I moved to Cincinnati in 2009 where we live with our two furry dog children. Outside of teaching, I am a volunteer for Alzheimer's, since 2009 I have co-chaired ALZ Stars, a group of runners who compete in the Flying Pig Marathon raising money and awareness to #endalz. I also enjoy live music, running, and being outdoors.

 Academic

I received my BA in 2000 in Mass Communication and Public Relations and my MA in 2006 in Public Communication from IPFW (Purdue University, Fort Wayne). Prior to teaching, I worked as a product manager at Biomet, a leader in orthopedic devices, a position I continued on a free lance writing basis upon returning to school. I was a lecturer of Communication Studies and advisor at Indiana University South Bend, teaching courses in public relations, interpersonal communication, and public speaking. I have been at NKU since 2009 and have taught public speaking, communication studies, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication. My passion for teaching lies in adapting to different learning styles and at the end of the day if I can make you smile and laugh I have done my job!

Sharmaine McLaren

Part-Time Faculty*
mclarens1@nku.edu

Christopher Miller

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
millerc11@nku.edu

Dan Ginn

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
ginnd2@nku.edu 

Tom Ramstetter

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
ramstetter@nku.edu

Personal

I am from Cincinnati and live there with my son. I am the Director of University Communications at NKU and have worked here since June 2008 in various positions in the Office of Marketing and Communications. I have also been a freelance sports reporter since 1998 and during that time I have covered Major League Baseball, the National Football League, professional hockey and NCAA football and basketball for publications around the country. I published a book in 2016 about the Cincinnati La Salle high school football team. Perhaps my favorite job, however, is my role as a grade-school baseball, basketball and football coach.

 Academic

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in journalism from NKU in 2001 and my Master of Arts in communication from NKU in 2008. I’ve taught a variety of classes at NKU since 2009, including UNV 101, copy editing, newswriting, media ethics, feature writing and introduction to mass communication.

Andrea Scheu-Worrix

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
scheua@nku.edu

J. Michael Skaggs, M.A.

Part-Time Faculty*

859-572-5436
skaggsj@nku.edu

Personal

I am a native of Maysville, Kentucky. I am married to a creative writer and faculty member at NKU, and we have a cat, Tango.

Academic

I earned my M.A. in Communication from Montclair State University in 1996. I am the author of Americans Revisited Volume One 2nd Edition, a reprised look at the classic Robert Frank, photography book, The Americans.

I enjoy teaching Public Speaking and Media in a Diverse Society classes both on campus and School Based Scholars in Northern Kentucky High Schools.

Tracy Songer, M.A.

Associate Professor

GH 438
859-572-6489
songert1@nku.edu

Academic

Tracy Songer is an assistant professor in Electronic Media and Broadcasting at Northern Kentucky University.  Tracy teaches media literacy courses, writing courses and production management courses.  Tracy also guides junior and seniors in independent studies and capstone projects.    

Prior to joining the faculty at NKU, Tracy worked for over twenty years in the production industry.  She served as executive producer for Upstream 360 and worked as a freelance producer in commercial production.  She also was the senior producer for many HGTV and DIY shows including DIY’s Desperate Landscapes and HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney.

Chris Strobel

Professor

GH 465
859-572-1426
strobelc@nku.edu

Personal

Chris is a writer-director-producer-editor with a focus on media aesthetics and narrative digital cinema. He started his media-making career while still an undergrad, directing newscasts, corporate videos and commercials at WTWO-TV. After graduating he became the Production Manager and ran the department of 13 production employees for four years while overseeing all equipment acquisition and physical set design at the station. Near the end of his time at TV-2 he created and wrote Stepping Stones, an educational Saturday morning children's show that won its time slot during its first sweeps.

He left the broadcast world to attend film school at American University in Washington, DC. He has edited five feature films (none of which you've seen), ran his film and video company (Good Morning Egg Productions) for four years, began teaching adjunct for the Audio-Video Production department at Southern Ohio College then became the Department Chair (for four departments) while there, jumped across the river to NKU to the Electronic Media and Broadcasting program, earned tenure, designed the media infrastructure of Griffin Hall, won a few awards (for his teaching, screenwriting, editing…and even one for his dancing) and was promoted to full professor. He directed the EMB program from 2004 until spring of 2020, and has since shifted his administrative and creative efforts toward directing NorseMedia, NKU's media production organization.

David Thomson, M.A.

Associate Professor

GH 544
859-572-5646
thomsond@nku.edu

Personal

A lifelong resident of Cincinnati, David originally trained as a classical singer and pursued a career as an audio producer and radio host before coming to NKU in 1983.  Thomson has held positions at WGUC, WNKU, WLW, WCKY, WLVV, WCNW, WLQA and WOXY. David has been a lead producer of classical music for NPR.   Thomson’s hobbies include classical music, photography, gardening, gourmet cooking, interior design and German model (and real) trains.

David joined the NKU faculty in 1983 in the then RTV – now EMB - discipline.  Both of Thomson’s undergraduate and graduate degrees are from the University of Cincinnati.  Thomson has also held positions with Southern Ohio College, The University of Cincinnati, and Miami University (Oxford campus).

Thomson was the NKU Communication Department Chair 1992 – 1994.

David is a key member of the Commencement production team and is the announcer for the ceremonies.

David is privileged to have an ongoing relationship with the Navajo – spending part of the past 29 summers on the Reservation in Ft. Defiance,  Window Rock, Tuba City (AZ) Bluff (UT) and Coal Mine (NM).

As a faculty member, David has taught a wide variety of courses in the EMB discipline.  Audio Production, Sales, International Communication, Announcing, Media History and Criticism.  His current emphasis is on the inter-relational, psychological and emotional dynamics of media and society, looking especially at cause and effect relationships.

Lawrence Travis

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
travisl3@nku.edu

Personal

I have been married to Cathy for 39 years. I have two grown children...Sarah who is married with three spectacular children and Josh, who works at Brown University. I have been to every continent and have traveled and spoken in 40 countries. My past time passion is golf and that works because I am also the Assistant Golf coach at NKU for the men's and women's teams.

 Academic

I have graduated from Eastern Ky. University and Kentucky Christian University with degrees in science and Bible. My MA is from Indiana State University in Interpersonal communication and rhetoric. My doctorate is in from Bethany Theological Seminary. I have taught college classes since 1996 at Cincinnati Christian University and eight years at NKU. I love college students and I love speaking...and that is a good thing since I have been a pastor for 43 years.

Kelley Wainscott

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
wainscottk1nku.edu

Personal

I teach Public Speaking and Popular Culture at NKU. I also teach Public Speaking and Business and Professional Skills at Xavier University and Thomas More. Additionally, I am a Certified Personal Trainer and work at a local sports club. I have my BA and MA in Communication from the University of Cincinnati with a minor in Journalism and Creative Writing. My husband and I both attended Mariemont High School where he is a Math teacher. We have been married for 31 years and have 3 children. Two of our three children graduated from NKU. Our oldest child graduated from Chase and is a lawyer working for the federal courts. Our middle child graduated from NKU with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science and has worked as a chemist and is currently is pursuing his Master of Education in Secondary Education. Our youngest is a college senior at Miami University majoring in Finance.

Terkerah Washington

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
washingtone@nku.edu

Paul Weber

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
weberp1@nku.edu

Personal

Paul is a native to the tri-state area, and spent time in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. He graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Media and Broadcasting and Philosophy, and again in 2008 with a Master’s Degree in Communication. He finds media to be a lovely intersection between passions for technology and creativity, and if he wasn’t working in media would most likely be living off the grid in the Pacific Northwest. ACADEMIC - Paul teaches Electronic Media and Broadcasting courses primarily related to post-production, but has also taught audio, media literacy and other topics as needed. Paul spent 6 years working locally in post-production as an editor, motion graphics artist, and post-production manager before moving into a role supporting video and digital media in higher education. Continuing to create and supervise media creators, he works to stay sharp and current with new trends and technologies to in a relentless struggle against starting every story with “back in my day…”

Zachary Wells

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
wellsz@nku.edu

Personal

I live in Cincinnati with my wife and two young daughters. When I’m not at NKU, I love listening to and collecting records, tapes, and CDs.

Academic

I graduated from NKU with B.A. degrees in history and social studies education. A few years later I completed the M.A. in integrative studies where I focused on history and popular culture. I started teaching pop culture courses at NKU in the fall of 2013. Over the last few years, I have taught courses on the Beatles and the 1960s, 1980s popular entertainment, MTV and Generation X, and the history of punk rock. I am very interested in studying the many ways that popular culture influences history, politics, and culture. In addition to teaching, I also coordinate the Supplemental Instruction program through Learning PLUS.

Daryl W. Wiesman, Ph.D.

Part-Time Faculty*
859-572-5436
wiesmand3@nku.edu

Carlos Matthews, M.A.

Assistant Teaching Professor

GH 545
859-572-1397

matthewsc1@nku.edu

Aaron Zlatkin, M.A.

Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor
Equipment Manager

GH 533
859-572-1337
zlatkin@nku.edu

Aaron Zlatkin is a Professor of Electronic Media & Broadcasting in the College of Informatics at NKU. His primary focus is on audio production for film, television, and music.

Prior to his teaching career, Aaron studied classical guitar and fine arts with an emphasis on photography and painting. He has played guitar and bass in rock and folk bands for over thirty years, recorded several albums, and served as the Front of House mixer for WNKU’s live in-studio radio program, ‘Studio 89.’ Aaron has also recorded, edited, and mixed audio soundtracks for KET broadcasts, award-winning short films, and the 2013 feature film Revelation Trail, currently streaming on Amazon. Additionally, he engineered and edited the Taste of Informatics podcast, produced by the COI.

Aaron earned his M.A. in Communication in 2013 from NKU. He enjoys creating meaningful art, gardening, cooking, and being in nature, and every one of those acts is a metaphor for every other.