Department of Communication

Faculty Bios


Amy Capwell-Burns

Amy Capwell-Burns, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer

Ph.D.  Communication Studies, Bowling Green State University, 2004.
M. A.   Applied Communication Theory and Methodology, Cleveland State University, 1997.
B. A.    Speech Communication, Baldwin-Wallace College, 1991.

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Family Communication
  • Gender, Culture, & Communication
  • Health Communication
  • Group Communication 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Gender Roles in Household and Childcare Duties
  • Female Sports Fans
  • Family Roles and Relationship

"Teaching at UToledo has been very rewarding for me. The diversity of students and variety of backgrounds and experiences they bring to my classes make for a fantastic teaching/learning environment. The various perspectives allow students to learn from each other and add to their own interpretation of the world and communication. The classes I teach aid students in achieving their long-term goals, through raising awareness of their own and others’ communication behaviors. Teaching communication classes is gratifying, because effective communication skills are a necessity in any profession."


Placeholder Grey ProfileDee Drummond

 Senior Lecturer

 M. A.  Journalism, Michigan State University, 1997.
 B. A.   Communication, University of Toledo, 1987.

 

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT 

  • Social Media
  • Photo Journalism
  • Media Writing & Reporting

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

  • Mis/Disinformation in social media
  • How social media is used throughout society
  • Media convergence and the changing format of news delivery

“As a former reporter and market researcher, I understand the skills needed for students to succeed in their chosen careers after graduation. Those industry standards are the backbone of my classes – with a focus on the ethical dilemmas inherent to the media. I regularly update my courses to reflect the a changing media, so that students are learning information that is current, relevant, and applicable in the “real world.”


Tasha DunnTasha Dunn, Ph.D.

  Associate Professor

 Ph.D.  Communication Studies, Certificate in Women and Gender's Studies, University of South Florida, 2015.
 M.A.    Communication Studies, Eastern Illinois University, 2009.
 B.A.     Communication Studies and Theatre Arts, Concordia College, 2007.

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT 

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Social Media
  • Gender, Culture, and Communication
  • Dating in the Digital Age
  • Communication Theory

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

  • The navigation, negotiation, and communication of romantic relationships through social media platforms
  • The relationship between mediated representations and lived experiences of marginal population
  • Critical communication pedagogy.

"I thoroughly enjoy teaching and researching a broad, engaging, and constantly evolving subject that is so relatable. Communication, after all, is the human connection; its relevancy extends to every student’s experiences—a link I emphasize and strengthen in the classroom. I am deeply committed to merging communication theory with practice to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their personal and professional lives."


Xianlin JinXianlin Jin, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor

    Ph.D.  Communication with Graduate Certificate in Risk Sciences, University of Kentucky, 2021.
    M.A.    Communication Studies, Arizona State University, 2014.
    B.A.     Journalism, Tianjin Normal University, 2012.

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Health Communication
  • Social Media 1 and 2

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Health Communication
  • Risk and Crisis Communication
  • Social Media and Technologies’ Impacts on Information Seeking and Dissemination
"I enjoy helping students explore how social media and other computer-mediated communication tools impact communication in various contexts, such as marketing and campaigns, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, as well as health communication. Students also learn to use analytic tools, improve their writing and strategic planning skills, and obtain in-depth knowledge of communication research and practice. I believe such important skills, knowledge, and experience will prepare our students for successful career and education in the future."

Paulette KilmerPaulette D. Kilmer, Ph.D.

    Professor

    Ph.D.  Media Studies, University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign, 1992.
    M.A.    Speech and Theater, The University of Kansas - Lawrence, 1980.
    M.A.    Specialized Reporting, The University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1973.
    B.A.     Journalism and History, The University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1971.

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT

  •  Mass Communication Ethics
  • Storytelling in Private & Public Spaces
  • Mass Communication Law
  • Feature Writing
  • Persuasion
  • Media History

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Media History
  • History as cultural narrative
  • Sacred myths past and present
  • Metaphor as the prism of values
  • Diversity realities reflected in news stories past and present
  • Teaching issues in the classroom

Placeholder Grey ProfileLori King

Adjunct Instructor

 M. A.  Journalism Education, Kent State University
 B. S.   Photo Journalism, Kent State University

 

 


Eleanor Kostecki Eleanor Kostecki

Senior Lecturer and Internship Coordinator

M.A.    Organizational Communication, Western Michigan University, 1999.
B.S.     Social Work, Eastern Michigan University, 1978.

 

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT

  • Public Presentations
  • Group Communication
  • Professional Business Communication
  • Communication Studies Capstone
  • Communication Internship

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Leadership
  • Career Development
  • Intercultural Communication

"I love teaching courses that allow students to be creative and chart their own path for personal and professional growth. I’m thrilled when students discover the answer to the question, 'Who am I?'  No matter what your major is, you will benefit from taking a Communication course. It’s the soft skills of interpersonal communication, presentations, and groupwork that make a difference in the workplace. Outstanding communication skills are what get you noticed, hired, and promoted." 


Placeholder Grey Profile

Jackie Layng, Ed.D.

Professor

Ed.D.  Educational Technology, Northern Illinois University, 1996.
M.A.    Media Communication, Northern Illinois University, 1989.
B.S.     Radio/TV/Film, Northern Illinois University, 1987.

 


Tisha Mays

Tisha Mays

Assistant Lecturer

M.A.    Strategic Communication with Interactive Media, Bowling Green State University, 2019.
B.A.     Mass Media Radio/Television, University of Akron, 2005.

 

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT

  • Audio 1 and 2
  • Social Media 1
  • Podcasting

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Critical Media Studies
  • Media Literacy and Urban Geography
  • WXUT Faculty advisor

"It is such a wonderful feeling to have the opportunity to teach students about a field I am extremely passionate about. To be part of watching future broadcasters develop their own passion and become professionals is the most rewarding feeling. I am committed to our students because they want to be great, and I have the tools that can help them become marketable and successful."


Ben Myers

Ben Myers, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair

MBA    University of Toledo, 2021.
Ph.D.  Speech Communication, Southern Illinois Carbondale, 2007.
M.A.    Communication Studies, Bowling Green State University, 2003.
B.A.     Communication and History, Bluffton University, 2002.

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT

  • Group Communication 
  • Communication Theory
  • Professional Business Communication

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Organizational communication
  • Leadership
  • Autoethnography and Performance Studies

"I love teaching our UT students skills that are directly relevant to their professional success. Communication skills are one of the most sought after skills in today’s workplace. The most rewarding part of my job is when students come to not only understand why communication is so important, but how to use what they have learned in the classroom in their work and relationships."


Fatima Shousher Simon

Fatima Shousher Simon

Senior Lecturer

M.A.   Mass Communication with specialty in Public Relations, Bowling Green State University, 1997.
B.A.    Communication with Public Relations concentration, University of Toledo, 1996.

 

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT

  • Public Relations Principles
  • Special Event Planning
  • Cross Cultural Communication in Public Relations
  • Interpersonal Communication

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Public Relations
  • Cross Cultural Communication
  • Interpersonal Communication

"I love teaching Communication classes because everyone can find value in them. Our students learn a range of skills that will open many doors when they graduate. They are able to learn hands-on skills through our courses that will fully prepare them for the work force once they graduate. Hearing how our students use our skills in their careers once they graduate is a wonderful reward of teaching for me."


Sumitra Srinivasan

Sumitra Srinivasan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor 

Ph.D.  Communication, Georgia State University, 2006.
M.S.    Television-Radio-Film, Newhouse School of Public Communication, Syracuse University, 2001.
M.A.    Communication, M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women, The University of Madras, 2000.
B.Sc.   Physics with Applied Electronics, Stella Marris College, The University of Madras, 1998.

 

FAVORITE CLASSES TAUGHT

  • Communication Theory
  • Visual Communication
  • Media Writing 1
  • Mass Communication and Society
  • Social Media 1

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • New Media/Open-Source Technologies
  • International/Intercultural Communication
  • Development Communication

"Communication is an important discipline as it is an integral part of many things we do, both personally and professionally, in today's global landscape. This exciting field is continually evolving with cutting-edge technologies and novel information flows; I immensely enjoy teaching the subject to as well as learning from UToledo students. Witnessing my classes explore variegated communication skills and unleash their creativity across media platforms -- whether it is writing news stories, designing websites, or creating social media content -- is very rewarding and a lot of fun."

 

Last Updated: 5/31/23