Communication Studies

Dr. Jasmine Austin joined the department in the spring of 2020 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Austin completed her B.A. at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor, her M.A. at the University of Wyoming, and her Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses upon organizational socialization and interethnic communication, with a particular interest in the socialization experiences of historically underserved and systematically marginalized communities. Dr. Austin’s published research appears in Counselor Self-Care, Health Communication, and Prejudice, Stigma, Privilege, and Oppression: A Behavioral Health Handbook.

Dr. Susannah (Susie) Bannon joined the Communication Studies faculty as a Lecturer in Fall 2019. As an award-winning teacher, scholar, and public servant, Susie will bring her extensive record of success in higher education and public advocacy to the Communication Studies classroom.  She has a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Houston-Downtown, an MA in Communication Studies from Texas State University, and completed her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin.  Ms. Bannon's research examines the complex interplay between rhetoric and social justice and has been published in Essays in Virtual Dark Tourism, The St. Louis University Public Law Review, and Captured Words/Free Thoughts.

Dr. Kristen Farris began a position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies in Fall 2019. Dr. Farris completed her PhD in Communication Studies at the University of Texas-Austin, MA from Texas State University, and BA from Stephen F. Austin State University. Kristen’s instructional communication expertise focuses upon techniques for assessing student's learning and communication skill development, teacher/student interpersonal relationships, and students’ transition to college. Recent publications appear in the Journal of Family Communication, Higher Education, and the Basic Communication Course Annual as well as chapters in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication and the Handbook of Instructional Communication.

Dr. Manusheela Pokharel joined the department as an Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2019. Dr. Pokharel completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purwanchal University in Nepal and an M.A. in Health Promotion & Education from the University of Utah.  She completed her Ph.D. in Communication with an emphasis in health communication from the University of Utah. Prior to attending graduate school, she developed her clinical knowledge and experience working as a Registered Nurse, both as a Nursing Instructor at the ANPC College of Health Sciences and as a Field Officer for the non-governmental organization, Youth for World Nepal (YWN). Her primary research program investigates the persuasive impact of visual message features on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in the context of cancer prevention and control. Dr. Pokharel’s published research appears in Addiction Research & Theory, Journal of Dermatological Science, Journal of Health Communication, and Risk Analysis.