Faculty and Staff

Dr. Joseph Borrell Associate Professor, Department Chairperson ajborr@ship.edu 112 Rowland (717) 477-1528  "Make the most of your time at the university. Try out new ideas, test new ways of learning and explore different aspects of yourself. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, but always learn from your missteps."

Dr. Joseph Borrell is the Comm/Journ Department Chairperson and an associate professor at Shippensburg University specializing in electronic media. Involved in radio since high school, Dr. Borrell also has worked on the television side and had a fellowship to work at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C. His current academic research focuses on media management, non-profit public relations and new media.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Master of Arts, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Bachelor of Science, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Publications

• "Media Relations: Promotions and Crisis Communications" in Leadership Nonprofit Organizations 
• "Radio station characteristics and the adoption of satellite-delivered programming," Journal of Media Economics 
• Several articles in both the Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Culture and the Encyclopedia of Radio 

Courses Taught

Electronic Media Writing, Diversity and the Media, Internet Communications, Professional Seminar, Applied Mass Communications Research, Fundraising

Dr. Masudul Biswas is an assistant professor at Shippensburg University specializing in new media and public relations. He has joined the Shippensburg University faculty in fall 2011.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Public Affairs, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Master of Arts in International Affairs (with specialization in Communication and Development), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
• Master of Social Science in Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Research Interests:

His primary research interests include: online news and politics, media diversity, social media, and journalism/mass communication education. His research has appeared in scholarly journals including Journalism and Mass Communication Educator and Journal of New Communications Research.
 

Selected Papers & Presentations:

• "Selection of Universities by Students in Journalism and Mass Communication Courses, Do Criteria Differ between Caucasian and Minority Students?" Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 67(2), 164 - 183 (with Lyle Perkins & Ralph Izard)
• Roles of Social Media in "Arab Spring": A Content Analysis of Posts During the Uprising in Syria and Libya. Presented at the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 14 - 17, 2012 (with Carrie Sipes)
• “2009 assessment of diversity education in journalism/mass communication schools in the U.S.” Journalism and Mass Communication Educator. 2010, 64(4). With Ralph Izard.
• “Pandemic situation and health organizations’ use of social media tools: A H1N1 flu context.” AEJMC Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 4-7, 2010.
• “Viability of online outlets for ethnic newspapers.” AEJMC Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 4-7, 2010. With Ralph Izard.
• “An exploratory research: a comparative analysis of mainstream and ethnic media Coverage of social policy issues in the economic stimulus plan debate.”Journal of Contemporary Social Welfare. 2010, 26(1).
• “Discourse analysis of online discussion and news stories on the ‘Legislative Pay Raise’ bill in Louisiana.” Journal of New Communications Research. 2009, 4(1).
• “States of emergency, ‘Limited’ press freedom, and the role of blogs: A Bangladeshi context.”  (2008). Journal of New Communications Research. 2008, 3(1). With Lance Porter.
• “Criteria used by minority students in selecting universities.” Under review in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at the AEJMC midwinter conference 2011, March 5 -7 in Norman, Oklahoma. With Lyle Perkins and Ralph Izard.   
• Using social media in public communication.” Presented at the Sea Grant Summit in New Orleans, Oct. 14 – 17, 2010. With Felicia Song.

Teaching Areas:

His teaching areas include promotional publication design, web/interactive media design, visual communication, diversity and the media, public relations strategies, and public relations writing.

Professional Background:

Developing and designing websites, writing and editing for the Web, and managing social media content for a LSU project, Ohio University academic units, and AEJMC Divisions; reporting and editing for Bangladeshi print and online news media.

Professional Affiliations:

• Editor (Since 2010) and Webmaster (Since 2007), Forum on Media Diversity
• Webmaster (Since 2010), Minorities and Communication Division, AEJMC
• Newsletter Editor (2011-2013) and Webmaster (Since 2010), Commission on the Status of Minorities, AEJMC
• Member, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)  

Dr. Ted Carlin Professor, WSYC-FM Adviser ejcarl@ship.edu 123 Rowland Hall (717) 477-1784  "Today's student is typically an experienced media consumer before he or she enrolls here at SU, so my role is to get students engaged and actively involved in the production and evaluation of media, and keep students thinking about the personal and global impacts of the media they experience. Communication/Journalism is such a dynamic field of study -- constantly growing, evolving, and re-inventing itself. Our graduates are prepared to adapt to these changes through the solid foundation of critical thinking and professional skills they acquire as a Communication/Journalism major."

Dr. Ted Carlin served as the chairperson of the Communication/Journalism Department from 2000 to 2009. With professional experience in the areas of radio and television production, programming, and management, Dr. Carlin brings this expertise to the classroom in an engaging and energetic manner. He has worked as a media producer, writer, announcer, and videographer for radio and TV stations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. Dr. Carlin's areas of research include the new communication technologies of digital radio and television, media programming, and media literacy. Dr. Carlin also serves as the faculty advisor to WSYC-FM and SU's chapter of the National Broadcasting Society. Born in Nebraska and raised in Maryland, he is an avid Huskers, Orioles, and Redskins fan. He and his wife, Sulynn, have four children and live in Chambersburg.

Education

• PhD in Mass Communication (1997), Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
• MA in Mass Communication (1987), Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
• BA in Communication & Theatre Arts (1985), Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio
• AA in Liberal Arts & Sciences (1983), Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Maryland

Publications and Media Production Activity

• Executive Producer/Editor, Carlisle YWCA Promotional Video, Carlisle, PA, 2011
• "Digital Audio," in A.E. Grant & J.H. Meadows (eds.), Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals, 12th edition, Focal Press, 2010
• Executive Producer/Editor/Videographer, Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center Promotional Video, Chambersburg, PA, 2010
• Executive producer/editor, Franklin County Prison Orientation Videos, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; production supervisor and editor for two inmate orientation videos (2007 & 2004)
• Executive producer, SU Productions on Comcast Cable, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania; on-site supervisor for SUTV's live/taped televised coverage of campus events
• Focus the Nation 2008 panel speaker, Media Coverage of the Global Warming Debate, CUB, SU 
• Criminal Justice Symposium 2007 panel speaker, Portrayals of Mental Illness in Film & Television, Old Main Chapel, SU 
• Digital multimedia lab: awarded a $104,000 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Technology Fee Grant, and 3-year renewal grant, to design and implement a 12-seat multimedia digital video post-production lab for the Communications/Journalism Department & SUTV 
• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters 2006 Educational Equipment Grant: $3,000 to create a MIDI/Digital Music Production Lab for Comm/Journ Department
• Direct Broadcast Satellites, and Digital Audio, in A.E. Grant & J.H. Meadows (eds.), Communication Technology Update, 10th Edition, Focal Press, 2006
• "Cable System and Satellite Programming, in S.T Eastman & D.A. Ferguson (eds.), Broadcast/Cable Programming: Strategies and Practices, 6th edition, Wadsworth Publishing, 2006
•  Videographer, Luhrs Performing Arts Center TV commercials, 2006 season; contracted by Luhrs Performing Arts Center, Shippensburg University, to shoot digital video for 30-second TV commercials airing in the mid-Atlantic region on Comcast Cable
• Why Do I Need to Know This?: Actively Teaching the Introductory Graduate Research Course to Non-Researchers, a refereed paper presented to the Research Division of the 2005 convention of the Broadcast Education Association in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Emerging Mass Media Technologies: $3,000 Virtual University Grant to design and implement an online VU graduate course
• Feature Writing & Intro to Mass Communication: two $3,000 Virtual University Grants to design and implement two online VU undergraduate courses
• External Program Review Team, 2005, La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; served on a four-person team as the electronic media evaluator to visit, review and conduct an external review of the Communications Department
• Sports reporter and writer, ABC27 Sports, WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; covered area football games (high school, college, and NFLs Baltimore Ravens) for Friday Night Football Show & weekend TV newscasts during fall 2004 sabbatical leave

Courses Taught

Advanced communication problems (graduate). Broadcast advertising and sales. Broadcast management and regulation. Current strategies in media programming. Emerging mass media technology (graduate/online). ENG/EFP TV production. Feature writing (online). Introduction to mass communication (online). Introduction to mass communication research (graduate). Introduction to public relations. Mass communication theory (graduate). Media & society. Media writing (online). News writing & reporting. On-location video production. Public relations writing. Radio & TV scriptwriting. Radio production & performance. Senior capstone. Sports writing and reporting (online). Studio TV production. TV criticism. World broadcasting systems (graduate). Writing for the broadcast media.

Station Operator and Faculty Adviser to WSYC-FM

Dr. Michael W. Drager is an associate professor at Shippensburg University specializing in print media. Dr. Drager's professional experience includes work as a newspaper journalist, magazine writer and public relations professional. He has worked for weekly and daily newspapers as a reporter, copy editor, editorial columnist, photojournalist and advertising copy writer and layout designer. His experience in public relations includes work as a writer, photographer and publications designer. His academic research explores the relationship between mass media and public policy. In addition, he has conducted workshops and seminars on the relationship between journalism and public institutions.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Media, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Master of Science in Communications Studies, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science in Art Education, Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania

Publications

Books:

• Reporting for the Media, 9th edition, Oxford University Press

Journal Articles:

• "Sample Size in Content Analysis of Weekly News Magazines," Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly 
• "Assisting Faculty Through Technology Transitions," in Fulfilling Higher Education's Covenant with Society: The Emerging Outreach Agenda 
• "News Stories About Conflict Generally Balanced," Newspaper Research Journal 

Awards

• Frank Luther Mott-Kappa Tau Alpha Research Award, August 1993, Law Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• Faculty Research Award, August 1999, Newspaper Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

Memberships

• Newspaper, Law, and Mass Communication and Society Divisions of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• Society of Professional Journalists
• Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Courses Taught

News Writing and Reporting, Public Affairs Reporting, Computer-Assisted Reporting, Feature Writing, Public Relations Writing, Media Writing, Introduction to Photography, Photojournalism, Copy Editing and Design, Magazine Design, Media Ethics, Introduction to Mass Communication, Mass Communication Theory, and Introduction to Mass Communication Research

Adviser to The Slate, the student-run campus newspaper, and the Rowland Stone, the Communication/Journalism Department newsletter

Professor Margaret Evans is an expert in the fields of photography, digital photography, video, and multi-media production, whose work has appeared in many exhibitions and publications. She has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including a technology grant to establish a digital imaging laboratory at Shippensburg University and the prestigious Ernst Haas Award for Excellence in Photography. She has traveled widely doing documentary studies on such subjects as the American steel industry and the textile industry in Lodz, Poland.

Education

Master of Fine Arts, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
Bachelor of Arts, Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont

Publications

• Shots, a national magazine of art photography; photographs of the 70s theme

Papers & Presentations

• "Shock in Shock Therapy: Contemporary Labor History in Post Communist Poland & Ukraine," in collaboration with Dr. Catherine Clay, California University of Pennsylvania
• "Photographic Digital Manipulation: Fantasy vs. Reality," Visual Communication: Rhetorics and Technologies, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
• "A Digital Reality: Computer Manipulation at the Movies," International Society for the Fantastic in the Arts

Awards

•  Ernst Haas Award, environmental/nature print category, first-place photograph

Memberships

• Shippensburg chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society

Selected One-Artist Exhibitions

• Andre Zarre Gallery, New York, New York, photographs from Poland
• Jewish Community Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, photographs from Poland
• Jewish Community Center, Providence, Rhode Island, photographs from Poland

Courses Taught

Introduction to Photography, Advanced Photography, Introduction to Mass Communication, Digital Photography, Diversity Issues in the Media, Electronic News Gathering, Modes of Film Communication, Senior Capstone

Adviser to the Cumberland Yearbook

Dr. Kim Garris Assistant Professor, SUTV Adviser kdgarr@ship.edu 127 Rowland Hall (717)477-1523  "My hope is our students leave us understanding the magnitude of the responsibility the mass media have to our society. To ensure effective and respected democracy, those who choose a career in mass communication must be willing to accept that responsibility and promise to do all within their power to uphold and further the rights of all citizens."

Dr. Kim Garris brings 16 years of experience in television news to her position on the Communication/Journalism faculty. Dr. Garris' professional experience includes work as a news reporter at ABC, NBC and CBS television affiliates from Alabama to Maine. Along the way, she has worked for a large regional cable network in New England and even reported on the space and science industry through her work for the Sci-Fi Channel. Her most recent stop was a 10-year stint in Harrisburg at the ABC affiliate as a reporter and the morning anchor. She landed her first job in broadcast news in AM radio. Her professional career has not been limited to news reporting. She has been a producer, weather anchor, sports anchor and even videographer and editor.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communications, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania
Master of Science in Broadcast Journalism, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama 

Research Interest

Dr. Garris' completed her dissertation at the Pennsylvania State University in March of 2009.  It and most of her current research focuses on the work structures of television newsrooms and how those structures impact the workers, particularly women and workers with family responsibilities. 

Awards

Dr. Garris was recognized on for her excellence in academics by being awarded the Doug and Claudia Anderson Scholarship and the Froke Scholarship by the College of Communications at The Pennsylvania State University in 2007.  Her professional television work has been recognized by the Associated Press and by numerous community and government agencies. 

 

Publications

Garris, K., Guillory, J. & Sundar, S. S. (2010). Does Interactivity serve the Public Interest? The Role of Political Blogs in Deliberative Democracy. Accepted for publication in International Journal of Interactive Communications Systems and Technologies.

Hardin, M., Simpson, S., Whiteside, E. & Garris, K. (2006). The “gender war” in U.S. sport: Winners and losers in news coverage of Title IX, Mass Communication & Society 10(2), 211-233. 
 

Courses Taught

Electronic Newsgathering (TV Reporting), Electronic Media Producing and Performance, Electronic Media Basic Production, Radio and TV News, Media Sales, Introduction to Mass Communication, Senior Capstone & Press and Public Affairs 

Adviser to SUTV

 

Holly Kalbach Ott  Temporary Full-Time Faculty hkott@ship.edu 129 Rowland Hall (717)477-1652  "As future professionals in the mass communications field, it is imperative that students understand the importance of experiential learning. Learning through experience is natural;as such, the natural characteristics of these lessons, then, allow for greater transferability and application to other situations outside the classroom. By linking knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world application, students will enter the media industry as informed, engaged and strategic media consumers and professionals."

Professor Holly Ott joins the faculty for the 2012-2013 academic year. She teaches in the public relations emphasis. Professor Ott served as a part-time adjunct faculty member in 2009 and returns to Shippensburg in a full-time capacity this fall. Her most recent professional experience includes facilitating the academic internship program in the Office of Experiential Learning and Career Management at Millersville University. Her professional experience also includes work in the nonprofit sector, extensive event-planning experience and serving as the administrator for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference professional organization, based out of Dickinson College. She has experience in website design, writing and editing for the Web and managing social media. She has conducted research on the framing of mediated messages. Additional research interests include new media/communication technology, media effects and health communication.

Education

• Master of Science in Communication Studies, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania 
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Journalism, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania 

Papers and Presentations

"Effective Strategies for using CSO as a Marketing Tool. " Panel presentation at Career Services Online National Conference, Austin, TX, May 17, 2012.

"Brand Yourself." Oral presentation at Cooperative Education and Internship Association National Conference, San Antonio, TX, April 10, 2011.  

Professional Memberships

• Cooperative Education and Internship Association 
• Lancaster Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management 
• Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference 
• National Association of Colleges and Employers
• Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Employers

Courses Taught

Introduction to Mass Communication, Media Writing, Public Relations Research & Campaigns, Practicum

Dr. Carrie Sipes

Assistant Professor, IMPEL Adviser

casipe@ship.edu
128 Rowland Hall(717) 477-1432 

"Understanding how people communicate, whether interpersonally or through mass media, is important for those who will be future professionals in a mass communication field. Understanding how their messages affect audiences will make them better professionals."

Stephanie Anderson Witmer 

Assistant Professor, Internship Coordinator

SAWitmer@ship.edu
http://www.stephanieandsonwitmer.com
126 Rowland Hall(717) 477-1525 
http://www.facebook.com/commjourn
 

"The only way to become a better writer is to write and write some more. It's that simple -- and that complicated. I want to help students find their own voices in order to tell the stories that need to be told, whether it's through words, sounds or images. I want to help them learn how to think about and respond critically to the media they encounter -- and will eventually create -- every day."

Loretta Sobrito

Department Secretary

lisobr@ship.edu 

 108 Rowland Hall  (717)477-1521 

Loretta Sobrito has been a part of Shippensburg University since 1990. She started in the Center for Juvenile Justice Training & Research Dept. in Horton Hall, and then moved to the Graduate Admissions Office in Old Main prior to becoming the Communication / Journalism department secretary in October 2002.