Leadership & Service

One of my major role currently is the director of graduate studies in the Department of Communication at NIU. I oversee various aspects of program management, including student recruitment, admission, budget administration, and curriculum development. In this role, I actively recruit and mentor prospective students, allocate resources effectively to support student success, research opportunities, and professional development initiatives. 

Internal Leadership Role

Director of Graduate Studies - M.A. in Communication (2024-)

DEI committee - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Executive Committee - Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy (2023 -)

External Leadership Role:

Associate editor - Science Communication (2025-2028)

Division Chair  - Risk Communication Speciality Group, Society for Risk Analysis (2023-2025)

Teaching Chair - Communication Science, Environment and Health (comSHER), AEJMC (2023-2024)

Student Mentoring (chair): 

Charles Mccarthy (M.A. student, 2024-2026)

Xuan Qian (M.A student, 2022-2024. Current:  Ph.D. student at Cornell University)

Lexi Tintleman (M.A. student, 2022- 2024)

Menghieng Ngor (M.A. student, 2022 -2024)

Sophia Votja (M.A. student 2021 -)