David J Airne (ABD, University of Missouri, M.A. North Dakota State University).
Instructor and Director of Debate
His research interests are in political communication, masculinity and gender, and free speech. 

Beth S. Bennett (Ph.D., University of Iowa).
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Her research interests include the history of rhetoric, especially classical and medieval rhetoric, rhetorical criticism, and the study of mediated rhetorical texts and critical literacy. Website

Jason Edward Black (Ph.D., University of Maryland).

Assistant Professor and Graduate Recruitment Coordinator

His research interests are in public address and rhetorical culture, with an emphasis on identity constructions and nationalism in U.S. governmental, American Indian and African American discourses.

Janis L. Edwards (Ph.D., University of Massachusetts).
Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director
Her research interests focus on the intersection of contemporary rhetorical theory and political discourse and the rhetorical dimensions of media, visual rhetoric, and gender.

Thomas E. Harris (Ph.D., Temple University).
Professor and Graduate Program Director and Director of Undergraduate & Graduate Internships
His research interests include organizational communication, leadership, diversity, small groups, teams, and change.

Marsha L. Houston (Ph.D., University of Massachusetts).
Professor
Her research explores the intersection among gender, ethnicity, language, and interpersonal communication.

Carol Bishop Mills (Ph.D., Purdue University).

Assistant Professor

Her research interests lie in the areas of interpersonal and organizational communication, including special interests in communication skill development and health communication, as well as quantitative research methods.

Mark D. Nelson (Ph.D., University of Alabama).
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs
His research interests include instructional communication, leadership, interpersonal competence, and diversity. Website

Nancy A. Riffe (Ph.D., University of Alabama). 
Assistant Professor and Director of Basic Public Speaking Course

Her concentration is in cultural, critical, and rhetorical studies, with a specialization in gender and performance studies.

Frank M. Thompson, Jr. (Ed.D., University of Alabama).
Associate Professor and Director of Forensics
His research interests include forensics, public speaking, interpretation, and group leadership.

JOINTLY APPOINTED FACULTY  

Stephen Foster Black.  (Yale).  Director, Initiative for Ethics and Social Responsibility and Moral Forum.

Gary A. Copeland (Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University).
Professor and Department Chair of Telecommunication and Film
His interests include political communication, negative political advertising, and psychological approaches to the study of communication. Website

Karen S. Johnson-Cartee (Ph.D., University of Tennessee).
Professor in Advertising and Public Relations
Her research interests include political communication and negative political advertising.

STAFF

Anita J. Abernathy (Departmental Secretary)