Department of Communication and Media

Faculty and Staff

At the Department of Communication and Media, our greatest strength isn’t just what we teach—it’s who we are. Our faculty and staff come from diverse professional backgrounds, bringing years of industry experience, cutting-edge research, and a passion for student success.

We’re former journalists, public relations experts, media producers, crisis communication specialists, and social media strategists. We’ve worked in newsrooms, boardrooms, and classrooms, and we bring that real-world experience directly to our students. Whether we’re helping students master public speaking, navigate the latest AI trends, or craft media campaigns, we’re dedicated to preparing students for what comes next.

More than instructors, we’re mentors, collaborators, and champions of student growth. We create opportunities—whether it’s connecting students with industry professionals, helping them land internships, or guiding them toward fulfilling careers. Communication is about making connections, and we are committed to making sure our students leave with the skills, confidence, and network to thrive.

Who are we? We’re storytellers, strategists, innovators, and educators. But more than anything, we’re here for you. Check out more about us below.

Faculty

Amy Capwell-Burns

Amy Capwell-Burns, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer

419-530-4380

Bio

 

Dee Drummond, M.A.

Senior Lecturer

419-530-4793

Bio

 

Tasha Dunn

Tasha Dunn, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

419-530-4473

Bio

 

Xianlin Jin

Xianlin Jin, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

419-530-2006

Bio

 

Eleanor Kostecki

Eleanor Kostecki, M.A.

Associate Lecturer

419-530-4794

Bio

 

Jackie Layng, Ed.D.

Professor

419-530-4674

Bio

 

Tisha Mays

Tisha Mays, M.A.

Assistant Lecturer

419-530-5086

Bio

 

Ben Myers

W. Benjamin Myers, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair

419-530-2172

Bio

 

Vamsi Pedasanaganti

Vamsi Chaitanya Pedasanaganti, M.A.

Visiting Assistant Professor

419-530-4774

vamsi.pedasanaganti@utoledo.edu

Bio

 

Fatima Shousher Simon

Fatima Shousher Simon, M.A.

Senior Lecturer

419-530-4364

Bio

 

Sumitra Srinivasan

Sumitra Srinivasan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

419-530-4671

Bio

 

Jamie Ward

Jamie Ward, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

419-530-4382

Bio

 

Staff

Lisa Bollman

Lisa Bollman, M.A., Ph.D.

Academic Advisor

419-530-4436

John Eidemiller

Executive Producer

419-530-1322

Karon Price

Karon Price, MBA/HRM

Administrative Assistant 2

419-530-5082

Greg Smith

Greg Smith

Technical Director

419-530-1321

Tom Zapiecki

Tom Zapiecki

Director of Media Services

419-530-2593

Last Updated: 2/26/25