September 15, 2010

Communication Studies welcomes four new faculty members

Four new faculty members joined the staff of the Communication Studies Department at Eastern Illinois University this fall. 

Dr. David Gracon recently received his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.  He earned Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the University at Buffalo.  Dr. Gracon teaches Mass Communication courses, including Documentary Film, Video Production, and Communication and Culture.  He has taught previously at the University of Oregon, Medaille College in Buffalo, Trocaire College in Buffalo, the University of Rochester, and the University at Buffalo.  He has also taught English as a Second Language classes in Lithuania, China, Japan, and Poland.

Dr. Richard Jones is the new Basic Course Director, which means he supervises delivery of the Public Speaking courses at Eastern.  Dr. Jones also teaches courses in Interpersonal Communication, Gender and Communication, and Communication Theory.  He has a Ph.D. from the University of Denver, with Master's and Bachelor's degrees from North Carolina-Greensboro.  Dr. Jones has taught previously at the Community College of Aurora, Colorado, Red Rocks Community College, Metropolitan State College, the University of Denver, and North Carolina-Greensboro.

Dr. Samantha Szczur is teaching courses in Organizational Communication at Eastern.  She recently received her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.  She also earned a Master's degree from the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor's degree from Miami of Ohio.  Dr. Szczur has taught previously at the University of North Carolina and the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Deborah Young comes to Eastern after teaching at Williams Woods University in Fulton, Missouri.  She has also taught at St. Charles, MO Community College, Lindenwood University, Crowder College, and for Devry University and the University of Phoenix.  Dr. Young also spent 15 years as a Project Manager, Researcher, and Analyst for the Department of the Navy.  She teaches courses in Mass Communication including Video Production, Broadcast News, Electronic Media Relations, and Public Speaking.  Dr. Young has a Ph.D. from Walden University, a Master's degree from Boston University, and a Bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.