Spring 2021

By Ken Thomas
Instructor of Multimedia Journalism and Senior Broadcast Engineer

The old Inside Jacksonville set from 2018 (left) was upgraded to a new virtual set in 2020 (right).

When the COVID-19 pandemic came to UNF in March 2020, the administration, faculty, staff and students were faced with a new challenge of virtual learning. While the School of Communication could not have predicted COVID-19, it was taking steps long before the pandemic to move forward with upgrades to the television studio that would enhance the student experience through virtual capabilities. But it's a different virtual world than you might think.

Many alumni got their start in journalism using the old set, such as current WMBF Anchor Patrick Lloyd (class of 2017) and former FOX4Now Reporter Kathryn Marsh (class of 2016).

Prior to the pandemic, most educational virtual experiences were based upon a computer simulation, but after the virus many people are equating a virtual approach in education with Zoom meetings or another teleconferencing program. As the world of education has moved into a virtual world of online classrooms, the School of Communication has spent more than $100,000 to move into the virtual world of hands-on learning with a major update to its educational TV studio. It's a world of simulated studio sets and a creative learning environment, which replaces decades-old technology and equipment.

For years, UNF tour guides stood outside the Communication building sharing stories of a "state-of-the art" TV studio. While that was true for a while, the world of TV technology is as fluid as the most recent version of Apple's iPhone.

That's why the faculty began working on a plan to update the original studio equipment. Dismantling of the old TV studio set and replacement of equipment began over summer 2020 with professor Ken Thomas and Dr. David Deeley, alumni Ryan Gulick (class of 2019) and Tristan Morhous (class of 2011), School of Communication interns Aisling Glocke, Amber Landreau, James Webb, and Clint Melton, and installation contractors from Gemstone Media.

First Coast News Anchor Brooks Baptiste (class of 2017) and former WRDW Reporter Tiziana Onstead (class of 2016) on the set of Inside Jacksonville in 2016.

So what exactly does this improvement do for the school? Deeley, who participated in the original TV studio installation 12 years ago, puts it into perspective: "Students will now be able to utilize numerous virtual production environments, live web-based content sources, and live streaming capabilities."

It's those "real-world" experiences that are necessary to enable UNF's students to successfully gain employment after graduation. For alumnus Ryan Gulick, a TV news producer at WJXT-TV4 in Jacksonville, the upgrades will help future students be more prepared than he was.

Dismantling of the old TV studio set and replacement of equipment began over summer 2020.

"The new equipment not only allows current programs to expand, but it could lead to more opportunities in the future," Gulick said. "For example, if students want to learn how to set up live shots, the new studio is technically capable of providing that learning experience." He added that the studio now gives students access to the same tools that are being used in the workforce.

Besides TV news, the upgrades will serve the entire School of Communication student base. Public relations and advertising students can use the virtual environment to create campaign videos, while digital video production students may opt to make "Superman" fly using the green screen technology, or create a music video with the same technology. All those options are now available to students who want to experience the hands-on learning with updated technology.

UNF students from RTV 3228-Multi Camera Video Production use the Newtek TriCaster TC1 for the first time in fall 2020.

UNF students recording CommConnect TV in fall 2020.

Additionally, the school can continue to expand its repertoire of student-produced content. Shows like Inside Jacksonville, CommConnectTV, Inside Swoop, and Inside Swoop in 90 will help UNF students gain valuable experience with the newest technology available. Furthermore, professors have the ability to incorporate new creative approaches in the classroom to improve a student's experience.

The new equipment is capable of live streaming to multiple social media platforms, incorporating Zoom and teleconferencing into "live-to-tape" recordings for assignments or class projects. Essentially, the school is now a fully functional broadcast center similar to TV stations and production houses across the country. Of course, there are some limitations, but the essential learning skills needed in the 21st century are now available.

Students Kyle Ashley, Sydnee Batzlaff and Aleksandra Masabni used virtual sets for Inside Swoop in 90 during fall 2020.

So while the rest of the world went "virtual" in 2020, the School of Communication created and implemented a plan that sets itself up to be a successful hands-on virtual environment for at least another decade, or until the iPhone 50 comes out anyway.

Most courses made use of online learning in some way to complement instruction.

At first, when everything was locked down, we, as faculty thought, "We'll get through the rest of the spring and then by fall, everything will be back to normal." We converted our face-to-face classes to online thinking it was short-term. But by fall, it was clear. We were going to need a new definition for "normal."

Those already adept at teaching online recovered quickly. One of Dr. Tina Holland's courses is team-based learning. Students spend half their time working in small groups - not an option with physical distancing. "I was able to include four face-to-face sessions for them to be able to engage in some of the process we normally do, but other than that, I've had them do a lot more discussions on Canvas," Holland said.

Many treated the challenge as an opportunity to find new ways to engage our students once we are "back to normal." Dr. Stephynie Perkins said she is "experimenting with new techniques and technologies to make learning more engaging for me and my students."

The issue wasn't always with technology. Dr. Siho Nam said that one of the major challenges he had to overcome was "how to make my classes, namely Mass Communication Research and International Communication, relevant when everything except the pandemic seemed so irrelevant." Nam made the pandemic a teachable moment. His students examined the pandemic from the course perspectives. "What we learned as a result was distressing. While the course of this global pandemic may be largely epidemiological, it revealed many ailments of American healthcare, public policy, and democracy at large."

These ailments touch us all professionally and personally. Professor Marcia Ladendorff said, "Just the move to working at home has been jarring. Suddenly I am struggling with boundaries between work and home. The move also made me feel isolated not just from my family and friends but from my students and especially my colleagues." Professor Bobbi Doggett agrees. "Before, I could easily walk down the hall and share an idea with a colleague to get her thoughts. I miss just chatting and laughing between classes like we use to."

Doggett said the adjustment is taxing. "I get up at 7 a.m. and with Zoom meetings, classes, office hours, the overload of emails and so forth, I basically don't walk away from the computer until 5:30 or 6 p.m. Then, I get back on the computer at 8 or 8:30 p.m. I feel compelled to do this because I'm not available face-to-face like I was when I was in the office. And I feel the students especially need feedback and support more now than they did when I could talk to them before or after class." Many of us feel we don't know our students the way we use to, and we worry we are not able to identify who needs our help or who is grappling with personal challenges.

Even with all this, there are positive moments. Ladendorff said she knows of few jobs (during "normal" times) that tolerate a more relaxed dress code from the waist down. "Jeans and sweatpants rule," she said. Perkins thinks working from home has changed the way she and her daughter view each other. "The positive side is my daughter gets a little better appreciation of what a teacher has to juggle, and I get a better idea of what she's learning in class," she said.

We also can help our students get a positive grasp of what we are all going through. Ladendorff said when a student, obviously anxious about the pandemic, suddenly seemed to realize that the world is not really going to go "back to normal," she told him that was a good thing. She told him this is an opportunity to find new, creative and powerful ways to face what lies ahead. As Doggett said, "In spite all of this, I am a positive soul, and I feel a sense of hope that 'this too shall pass.' I don't feel we will return completely to what our society was pre-COVID, but I do feel we will overcome it and be stronger on the end side of this pandemic."

Dr. Stephynie Perkins has received the Black Alumni Association Achievement Award and has been accepted into the UNF Lead program.

Dr. Stephynie Perkins, an associate professor and graduate director in the School of Communication, is the first recipient of the UNF Black Alumni Association Achievement Award in the Notable Faculty/Staff Member category.

She accepted the 2020-2021 award on behalf of the School of Communication and the UNF faculty and staff who are dedicated to the students.

"It's not just about faculty, it's not just about staff," Perkins said. "We all have to work together to make sure that students succeed."

To her, being named the recipient of the award means that former students acknowledge the value of her contribution to their education.

"The job of education isn't just in a book or in an article, it's to be in the community and working with people and serving people," Perkins said.

Associate Instructor Roberta Doggett has worked with Perkins for more than 10 years and said the award she received is well deserved.

"Dr. Perkins is one of the hardest working faculty members I know," Doggett said. "She is an outstanding teacher and scholar; plus she is committed to educating her students on the importance of diversity and inclusion so that our society is robust and prosperous."

Perkins also recently was accepted into the UNF Lead program, which prepares faculty from underrepresented groups for leadership positions. Program members learn about higher education administration, managing strategic resources, and ethical leadership. As part of the program, Perkins is helping to expand the diversity of the School of Communication's Professional Advisory Board.

Perkins has been teaching public relations in higher education for 22 years, the past 17 at UNF.

By Dr. Ashley Peake Wellman
Class of 2004

Communication alumna Ashley Peake Wellman sits with her daughter, Reagan, to promote her new children's book "The Girl Who Dances with Skeletons: My Friend Fresno."

What happens when our journey seems to hit a dead-end? How do we rebuild our lives when our worlds shatter? As an expert in grief, loss, and trauma, I thought I knew. Yet in 2018, my own tragedy would put my knowledge to the ultimate test.

In 2004, I graduated from UNF with a degree in communication (public relations concentration) and a minor in criminal justice. I still remember how my summer internship and a rebranding plan in my PR Campaigns class for a local Montessori school helped me to land my first job as the community relations manager at Barnes & Noble. Yet, one fundraiser with the local Police Athletic League reminded me of my love for criminal justice. I enrolled in graduate school at the University of Florida in 2006.

In April 2011, I married my husband, Buddy Wellman, and months later earned my PhD in criminology law and society from the UF. My dissertation focused on the lived experiences of cold case homicide survivors (also known as the families left behind in an unsolved murder). I became a campus sexual assault advocate, expanding my victimology focus to include those who survived sexual abuse and trauma. National research presentations turned into academic publications which later manifested into international speaking gigs, media appearances, and awards.

While my work was often emotionally heavy, I found solace in the privileged position of not having firsthand personal experience with the grief, loss and trauma that was at the heart of my work. In fact, my husband and our baby girl, born in 2014, were my joy and anchor, and I never thought this simple reality would change.

After each talk, interview, or survivor meeting, I thanked God for not knowing deep levels of trauma like those who inspired my work. In fact, like much of my life, I had a vision for my family and career, and therefore, I practiced my typical type-A, overachiever routine of making those dreams a reality. However, as much as I still fight it, some things simply aren't in our control. Between 2016 and 2017, I went on to suffer four miscarriages, challenging the dream I had for a family of four and causing me to feel as though I was living two lives: the successful academic and the struggling woman. I was excelling at work but felt like anything but myself at home. My husband encouraged me to make a change. What if I started again in a new city, a new home, with new focus on my health and happiness? This sounded crazy. I was a tenured faculty member at the peak of my career, and he was encouraging me to risk that for … well … me!

On Aug.. 12, 2018, we relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, for my new job. The position did not require a PhD, and yet, there was a promise that if I started as an entry-level instructor, I would be able to secure a tenure-track position within a few years and return to my previous academic level. I was full of energy, excitement and pride. Buddy encouraged me to go take a nap so I could be rested for my first day the next morning - so, I did. Within minutes of getting settled, I heard glass shatter downstairs. I yelled downstairs and no one answered. My heart dropped and I rushed down the steps. There in the hallway laid my husband, seizing, unresponsive and cold to the touch. The shattering glass had been a picture frame that once hung on the wall and was now surrounding him. EMT arrived and I rushed to hospital behind the ambulance. His heart, I was told, had stopped in our home.

For nearly an hour, I stood at the foot of his ER bed, begging him to live. He was resuscitated four times, but at 4:30 p.m. the doctor pronounced him dead.

In an instant, I was a widow and single mother. As I kissed him goodbye in the hospital, I made him a promise. I was going to give his daughter the magical life that he would have created for her alongside me. I had no idea how, but with Reagan's health and future at the forefront of my mind, I began the horrific task of grieving my husband while raising a heartbroken child.

I remember the darkness and confusion that followed. I drew on the strength and resilience I had seen in survivors I met through my career and then it hit me. I had been giving advice to survivors on how to take care of themselves and to seek life after loss. Now was the time to put my own advice to the test.

One day a dear friend saw a picture of my daughter dancing with her friend, Fresno, a three-foot posable skeleton. He suggested I take the whimsy of that picture and turn it into a children's book. Oddly, it seemed like a reasonable thing to do.

My magical life I promised to create for my daughter began as I created my own small business, Rea of Sunshine LLC, to publish my children's book. A project that had been a way to survive Buddy's death, morphed into a way to heal and is now becoming a way for us girls to thrive. In October 2020, "The Girl Who Dances with Skeletons: My Friend Fresno" was released, along with a skeleton plush toy, children's puzzle collection and adult puzzle. Illustrated by Zac Kinkade, Thomas Kinkade's nephew, the book reminds readers that our differences make us special, that our greatest friends are often the ones we least expect, and that life is better together.

My public relations background has come full circle. Today, I am an entrepreneur with the goal of prioritizing health, happiness, and purpose. Had you asked me three years ago if I'd be the author of a children's book with a dream of opening my own gallery, I would have laughed. But life threw us curve balls and we decided to put a spin on life. I've learned I don't have to be perfect, there is more than one path to happiness, and that when we focus on the positive, we can bring our greatest dreams to fruition.

Shop and play: www.myfriendfresno.com

Follow our wacky skeleton crew on social media: @MyFriendFresno

For more about Ashley Wellman, visit: www.ashleywellman.com

By Professor Dee Colvin
Associate Instructor, Advertising

Communication alumna Katie Jackson Webber enjoys a day on the golf course taking photos.

Katie Jackson Webber is the director of creative and digital marketing at Jacksonville University. She lives in Ponte Vedra Beach with her husband, Kip Webber, and her rescue dog, Diego. Katie is a proud Osprey, earning her bachelor's degree in communication with a concentration in public relations and two minors in community leadership and political science. Katie also holds a master's degree in digital journalism and design from the University of South Florida, and is currently pursuing an additional master's in fine arts with a concentration in graphic and digital design from JU.

I had a chance to ask Katie a few questions about her job, education and career advice.

What did you like most about your experience at UNF, academically and otherwise?

The faculty in UNF's School of Communication made me like my experience. I could tell that they cared about me and the other students in the courses. They spent the extra time that makes all the difference, from setting up networking events to staying after class to mentor us.

What internships or industry-related experiences did you participate in as a student? How did they influence your professional path after graduation?

I always tell my interns that it is great that they are interning with us, but they need to get another internship as well. When I am looking at recent graduate's job applications, having multiple internships always sets applicants apart. I had two internships through college, one at an advertising agency and another for an in-house marketing department at a software company. I also worked for Club Alliance (CA) for one year and Osprey Productions (OP) for three years when I was at UNF. The event planning experience that I gained through OP and CA were great transferable skills in the marketing industry. I have found that marketing is a lot of project management, and my past event planning experience gave me project management skills. Also, serving as treasurer for the Public Relations Student Society for two years allowed me networking opportunities with professionals and other students. I landed two post-graduation jobs from my internships. One was as an account coordinator for an advertising agency, and the other was as a freelancer for a software company.

Tell us about your current job and the work you do.

As director of creative and digital marketing at Jacksonville University, I manage a team of three creative marketing coordinators and six interns a semester. The Creative Services Team is responsible for the University's marketing efforts. We work on campaigns and projects with our on-campus clients Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, and University Advancement and Alumni Engagement. These projects can include graphic design, website design, social media advertising, copywriting, digital advertising, and search engine optimization. I also manage the University's social media channels and work closely with our Editorial Services Team to pitch story ideas for the online and print magazine. The last part of my role is working with our campus clients to go over strategy, analytic reporting, and brainstorming for ideas.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I am passionate about the power of education to change people's lives. I enjoy that I get to market a product that I believe in every day. I also like that I get to work in so many areas of marketing. It is never a boring day jumping between client projects and the skills sets of design and writing.

In what ways did UNF help prepare you for the work you do?

Taking the advertising courses, even though I was a public relations major, best prepared me for the work that I do today. My biggest suggestion for current public relations majors is to take advertising courses, vice versa, if you are an advertising major take public relations courses. I am so glad that I took the advertising design courses where I learned Adobe Suite. The marketing industry is moving in a direction that they want people who can do it all. They want you to be able to write and design. Taking the public relations courses provided me with that writing background and the advertising courses as supplemental were key.

What has been your proudest professional accomplishment so far?

Earning my master's degree while working full time and freelancing was a big accomplishment. If you are thinking about going to graduate school, I highly suggest it. Having a master's degree has helped me when interviewing for job opportunities.

What is your favorite UNF memory?

Studying abroad with you, professor Colvin! When the world opens back up from COVID-19, I highly suggest the study abroad trip that you, professor Colvin, put together. Being immersed in a different culture was life changing. Learning international marketing trends has also helped me throughout my career. The trip is worth the investment, and if you think you can't afford it, check out those study abroad scholarships out there. They'll help cover the cost.

By Dr. Stephynie Perkins
Associate Professor of Public Relations and Graduate Director

Ana Román-Domínguez said she is fortunate to do what she loves.

Ana Román-Domínguez began playing tennis when she was 6 years old, but the Burgos, Spain, native did not imagine that little yellow ball would be her golden ticket.

"I talked to my parents," Román-Domínguez said of her decision to play tennis in the United States, "and they're like, 'This is like we won the lottery.' It has changed my life."

Tennis brought Román-Domínguez to the University of South Florida where she was competitive in the classroom and on the courts. She was ranked No. 36 for singles in 2019. With those winning numbers and a degree in business, Román-Domínguez set her sights on graduate school.

She moved to UNF and enrolled in the master's of communication management program in the fall 2019 term. Now, as the assistant coach of the Osprey's tennis team, she encourages other young women to take a chance on themselves.

"I love coaching tennis," she said, "because I feel like it's a great way of having an impact on people."

The 23-year-old's passion for grooming other players was recognized in August when she received the 2020 Women in Leadership Award. The honor, which is granted by UNF's Taylor Leadership Institute and Dale Carnegie training, includes a stipend which supports Román-Dominguez's graduate studies. Her role as assistant coach also afforded her another perspective on tennis and her responsibility as a leader.

"I felt that becoming a graduate assistant was a good transition because that way I could coach and see that side of it. When you're a player, there are a lot of things that are behind the scenes that you are not aware of," she said. "I think you can learn a lot about yourself as well being on the other side (of the sport) and how you are able to communicate in different situations."

So far, Román-Domínguez has been fortunate to do what she loves and what she's passionate about. "I've always loved studying," she said. "People say I'm a little nerd, and it's true, but I'm proud of it. And I love sports, so that's why I kept the two things going.

As she closes in on a second degree, Román-Domínguez has already accomplished many of her goals, including becoming proficient in English. She's deciding whether now to pursue a doctorate in leadership, which is her outside area of study as a master's student.

"I'm not quite sure yet," she said about her next move. "That's the golden question."

One Media Week panel focused on communicating to diverse audiences in the face of racial tensions and the Black Lives Matter movement.

So how does one make a long-standing, face-to-face conference such as Media Week virtual due to COVID-19? This was the challenge facing visiting instructor Stephanie McClain-Araujo and her students in PUR 4450-Public Relations and Event Planning. Since in-person events were canceled, the class had to get creative. But with help from the faculty, a successful virtual event unfolded on Zoom.

Nine panel discussions tackled current issues, such as how the pandemic changed the way public relations and advertising professionals interact with audiences; the pressures on journalists to earn the trust of the public; and how public relations pros discern "real news" from disinformation.

More virtual hands-on sessions included UNF communication alumni sharing what they had to learn "on the fly." Professor Frank Goodin offered students a session on the video production restrictions caused by social distancing and quarantines. Vivian Senior with the College of Arts and Sciences Career Success Center also provided a session offering tips on finding a job in the current climate of virtual interviews and the tips on working remotely from home.

Since the pandemic also prevented an in-person Social Media Expo Jax, Dr. Margaret Stewart included a virtual session on social media featuring local and national panelists.

More than 200 students participated in Media Week. The Media Week 2020 website has more details about the speakers. Overall the Zoom format worked well as an alternative platform to in-person Media Week events - although most hope we will be back to "normal" in 2021.

Dr. Christa Arnold, Dr. Margaret Stewart, and Dr. Tina Holland published "Teaching Listening Skill Building in Medical Education" in Listening Education.

Dr. Jae Park and Dr. Carolynn McMahan published "Exploring YouTube Marketing Communication Among 200 Leading National Advertisers" in Journal of Promotion Management.

Dr. John Parmelee published "Candidates Did Lackluster Youth Targeting on Instagram" in U.S. Election Analysis 2020: Media, Voters and the Campaign (Centre for Politics & Media Research: Bournemouth University).

Dr. John Parmelee and Dr. Nataliya Roman published "The Strength of No-Tie Relationships: Political Leaders' Instagram Posts and Their Followers' Actions and Views" in First Monday.

There are eight great ways to stay connected with the School of Communication:

1. Join the School's Professional Advisory Board.

   The board helps us make sure we are getting students prepared for the current media environment. If you have risen to a position of leadership at a news organization, PR firm, advertising agency or other media outlet, please contact the school's director, John Parmelee. Even if you don't want to be on the board, feel free to email the director with any advice on making the curriculum better.

2. Join the School's Alumni Association.

   This is a great chance to interact with fellow communication alumni and current students. To join, please contact the School's Alumni Association, mention your interest in joining, and please include your name, contact information, year of graduation and track. Also, all communication alumni are invited to be a part of the conversation on Facebook. This is the "go to" spot for UNF communication alumni. The Facebook group includes information about alumni social events, recently posted communication jobs, tech tips, departmental news, and pictures/video from school events such as Media Week. In addition, communication faculty members have joined the group, so you can connect with your old professors. Here's how to join the alumni Facebook group: Search for UNF communication alumni and ask to join.

3. Let faculty know how you're doing.

   Below is a link that lists faculty and their email addresses. Faculty love to hear what their former students are up to and are always happy to offer advice.

4. Participate in the Internship + Job Fair.

   Every spring, representatives from companies such as WJXT, The Florida Times-Union, United Way and Mayo Clinic meet with communication students to discuss upcoming internships and jobs. If you are a leader at a company that is looking for interns to do advertising, public relations, journalism or production, please contact professor Bobbi Doggett to participate.

5. Be a guest speaker or mentor to our students.

   Your expertise in advertising, public relations, journalism or production could be a real benefit to current students. We are always looking for guest speakers to come to communication classes. A good time to do this is during the fall semester when the school hosts Media Week, an opportunity for media professionals to speak with students and faculty about the media landscape. Contact John Parmelee for more information. If you want to mentor our students, please fill out a profile on our mentoring website.

6. Contribute to Alumni Notes.

   This is your chance to let faculty and fellow alumni know of any big career or personal changes in your life. Also, consider contributing a 300- to 500-word piece on which professors made the biggest impact on your career. Submissions will be published in the alumni newsletter. Contact John Parmelee to submit.

7. Donate to the School.

   Even a small gift can help us enhance our facilities, academics and recruiting of top-quality students and faculty.

8. Join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.