I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Clemson University and a faculty affiliate with the Media Forensics Hub. My research follows a person-centered approach that seeks to ‘meet people where they are’ by leveraging existing motivations, relationships, and media channels to enhance message effectiveness. Broadly, I examine how messages can (1) encourage openness to accurate information while (2) building resilience to inaccurate information.
Currently, I am working on several projects, including studies investigating how motivations interact to promote or limit misinformation acceptance, the effects of parasocial relationships on health, and information integrity campaigns.
Education
Ph.D., School of Communication, April 2024
Media, Technology & Society
Northwestern University
Focus: Motivational effects on cognitive processing; Strategic communication; Information integrity
Drs. Nathan Walter (Chair), Erik Nisbet, Michelle Shumate
M.A., School of Communication, March 2022
Northwestern University
Drs. Nathan Walter (Chair), Michelle Shumate, James Schwoch
Graduate Certificate, Sol Price School of Public Policy, May 2018
Sustainable Policy & Planning
University of Southern California
M.C.M., Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, May 2017
Communication Management
University of Southern California
Focus: Entertainment Education; Health & Social Marketing
B.A., Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science, May 2016
Summa Cum Laude
Major: Social Science (Psychology), Minor: Global Communication
University of Southern California
Media, Technology & Society
Northwestern University
Focus: Motivational effects on cognitive processing; Strategic communication; Information integrity
Drs. Nathan Walter (Chair), Erik Nisbet, Michelle Shumate
M.A., School of Communication, March 2022
Northwestern University
Drs. Nathan Walter (Chair), Michelle Shumate, James Schwoch
Graduate Certificate, Sol Price School of Public Policy, May 2018
Sustainable Policy & Planning
University of Southern California
M.C.M., Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, May 2017
Communication Management
University of Southern California
Focus: Entertainment Education; Health & Social Marketing
B.A., Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science, May 2016
Summa Cum Laude
Major: Social Science (Psychology), Minor: Global Communication
University of Southern California
Academic Positions
Assistant Professor, Clemson University, August 2024 - Present
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Northwestern University, 2019 - 2024
Industry Work
USC Annenberg, Norman Lear Center, Research Specialist, 2017 - 2019
Conducted communication campaign evaluations, client consultations, mass media representation assessments and evaluations, and media platform and audience engagement assessment; Data analysis and dissemination
Conducted communication campaign evaluations, client consultations, mass media representation assessments and evaluations, and media platform and audience engagement assessment; Data analysis and dissemination
Sonnen, Inc., Marketing Coordinator, 2016 - 2017
Developed strategic marketing communications for external media, partners, and customers; ROI analysis; Social media management
Developed strategic marketing communications for external media, partners, and customers; ROI analysis; Social media management