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 Chaiperson 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. In 1996, he received 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

• "Radio station characteristics and the adoption of satellite-delivered programming," Journal of Media Economics 
• "Online and Electronic Resources: Audio Resources on the Internet," Communication Booknotes Quarterly 
• Several articles in both the Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Culture and the Encyclopedia of Radio 

Courses Taught

Radio Production and Performance, Political Communication, Writing for Broadcast Media, Media Management and Regulation, Broadcasting in America, Communication Research Problems, Broadcast Advertising and Sales, and Senior Capstone

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, 2011
• Master of Arts in International Affairs (with specialization in Communication and Development),
  Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 2007
• Master of Social Science in Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003
• Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2001

Research Interests:

His primary research interests include: online news and politics, media diversity, new media and public relations, and journalism/mass communication education. His research has appeared in scholarly journals including Journalism and Mass Communication Educator and Journal of New Communications Research. The research papers he presented at national and regional conferences dwelled on the issues of ethnic media, online news, online media and public participation, crisis communication, media relations, media in south and southeast Asia, and journalism education. 
 

Selected Papers & Presentations:

• “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, visual communication, web/interactive media design, diversity and the media, and public relations writing and strategies.

Professional Background:

He has more than five years of experience in designing websites. He also has several years of work experience in event management, and news reporting and editing for 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 (2011-2012) and Webmaster (Since 2010), Commission on the Status of Minorities, AEJMC
• Member, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)
• Member, International Communication Association (ICA)   

Dr. Jeffrey T. Bitzer Assistant Professor jtbitz@ship.edu 124 Rowland Hall(717) 477-1512  "Learn to write by writing. Learn to love and protect the First Amendment."

Dr. Jeffrey Bitzer was a working journalist and a lawyer when he first came to SU in 1982. He has worked in all aspects of broadcast journalism from a radio street reporter to a television anchor. He has been an assignment editor and a producer. Bitzer created, produced and hosted the "Legal Brief" television series and produced and hosted "Newsmakers" on public television. His most memorable reporting experience was the Three Mile Island crisis. Bitzer maintains a private civil law practice in York, Pennsylvania, where he counts a number of advertising companies and musicians among his clients. He is a frequent guest speaker for professional public relations and media groups on a variety of communications law issues.

Education

Juris Doctorate, Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

Courses Taught

Communications Law, Law & the Media, Broadcast Management and Regulation, Introduction to Mass Communications and Writing for Electronic Media.

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

Dr. John Ellerbach, who joined the Shippensburg faculty in the summer of 2006, has extensive media and teaching experience. Dr. Ellerbach has worked as a public relations practitioner, a radio news reporter and a magazine writer. He teaches courses in journalism, public relations and advertising. In October, 2010, Dr. Ellerbach completed the first draft of Principles of Public Relations. “It’s not a text,” he said. “It’s a novel about a young woman who has lost faith in PR practices and about a young man who is trying to learn about the field.” Dr. Ellerbach’s background includes stints as a PR director, radio news reporter and writer of magazine articles.  He has published academic material but prefers to do creative work. He wrote, produced and directed three independent films since coming to Shippensburg in 2006.  All were sent to various film festivals: “Flunkin Colledge: ‘We Put the Edge in Colledge’” (2007), “Dick Moby” (Very much like “Moby Dick” but without all the water, sailors, boats and whales stuff--2008) and “Moonrise Avenue’s Awful Truth” (2008).  “Moonrise Avenue’s Awful Truth” is a spoof of two film classics: “Sunset Boulevard” and “The Awful Truth.” It was produced as part of the first Independent Film Production class offered by the department.  Dr. Ellerbach taught that class in 2008.  He also teaches a new course now required in the PR sequence: Public Relations Research and Campaigns.  “I’m very glad that the department opted to include this course. I cannot imagine anyone claiming to be a PR professional who has not learned about campaign planning,” Ellerbach said.  “For me, the most gratifying part of the course is working with students on practical research projects that help the community.” In that course, students are required to recruit an actual client and produce an extensive plan document for that client. 

Education

Doctor of Education in Higher Education/Mass Communication, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Master of Arts in Journalism, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa

Publications

• "The Advertorial as Information Pollution," Journal of Information Ethics 

Scholarly/Creative Work

• Writer, producer, actor, director and co-editor of "The Stem Cell Jury Tapes," a full-length feature film shot in Iowa and edited at Shippensburg; the film was selected as an entry at the American Artist Film Festival, September 2006

Courses Taught

Media Writing, Public Relations, Public Relations Writing, News Writing and Reporting, Communications Law, Press and Public Affairs

Adviser to PRSSA, the Public Relations Student Society of America

Margaret P. Evans Professor, Cumberland Yearbook Adviser mpevan@ship.edu http://webspace.ship.edu/mpevan/ 132 Rowland Hall (717) 477-1152  "In addition to the technical areas of both traditional and electronic image making, I am particularly interested in teaching about the relationship between the production of images and the various employment settings that students enter. It is also important that students learn to critique the messages they create with their photographs in order to be more critically aware of the messages they receive from the media in general. A college curriculum should develop equally knowledge, expertise, and employment potential."

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

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://webspace.ship.edu/sawitmer
126 Rowland Hall(717) 477-1525 

 

"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.