Learn from the Experts

Purdue’s faculty teaching in the 100% online Master’s in Corporate Training and Communication program are ready to prepare you for the challenges of tomorrow through their expertise.

Brian Lamb School of Communication Faculty

DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP

Bart Collins, Director of the Online Graduate Program

Education

• PhD, University of Kansas
• MA, University of Arkansas
• BA, University of Arkansas

Research Interests

• Telemedicine
• Telehealth

Jennifer Hall, Associate Director of the Online Graduate Program

Education

• PhD in Health Communication, Purdue University
• Masters in Communication, Purdue University
• BA in Journalism, Indiana University

Marifran Mattson, Professor; School Head

Education

• PhD in Communication, Arizona State University
• MA in Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Marquette University
• BA in Communication, Media, and Theatre, St. Norbert College

Research Interests

• Intersections of designing, implementing, and evaluating health campaigns, health advocacy initiatives, and service-learning pedagogy
• Communication processes and challenges related to human health and safety

Jessica Stocker, Associate Program Administrator

Education

• MS in Communication, Purdue University
• BA in Sociology, Purdue University

FACULTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Stacey Connaughton, Associate Professor
Education

• PhD University of Texas-Austin
• MA University of Texas
• BA Saint Olaf College

Research Interests

• Leadership and identification in geographically distributed contexts, particularly as these issues relate to virtual teams/organizations, political parties, and peacebuilding

Sorin Matei, Professor
Education

• PhD, University of Southern California
• MA, Tufts University
• BA, Bucharest University

Howard Sypher, Professor
Education

• • PhD, University of Michigan
  • MA, Western Kentucky University

• BA, University of South Florida

Research Interests

• Communication and new technology
• Applied research with a focus on software diffusion E-health website usability
• Comparative research focusing on the impact of technology and organizational settings

ONLINE FACULTY

Christopher Bona, Online Faculty
Education

• • MA in Sociology, DePaul University
  • MBA, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management

• BA in Communications, DePaul University

Professional Experiences

• Finn Partners, Partner
• Ryerson, Head of Communications
• GE Healthcare, Director of Global Marketing Communications
• Weber Shandwick, SVP of Corporate Affairs

Don Buchman, Online Faculty
Education

• MBA, University of Utah
• BS, Washington University

Matt Charles, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD, Valdosta State University
• MPA, Virginia Commonwealth University
• BA, University of Virginia

Brian Chupp, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD in Human Resource Development, University of Toledo

Research Interests

• Entrepreneurial learning
• Strategic HR practices in Greenfield Sites
• Organizational Communications (specifically how organizations utilize strategic communication principles in creating and maintaining organizational culture)

Debra B. Davenport, Online Faculty
Professional Experiences

• Davenport Public Relations, President and Chief Executive

Associations and Memberships

• • Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
  • Entertainment Publicists Professional Society
  • Public Relations Society of America
  • Institute for Public Relations

• International Special Events Society

Research Interests

• Branding
• Memetics
• Semiotics
• Media psychology
• PR as a social science

Curt Gilstrap, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD in Communication, Purdue University

Research Interests

• Nonprofit leadership and organizations, ethics, social entrepreneurship, and social media

Jamie Ryan Goldberg, Online Faculty
Education

• BA in Communications, University of Tampa
• MA in Communications with a focus on Organizational Development, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Research Interests

• Executive communication
• Organizational change
• Performance improvement
• Employee engagement
• Executive coaching

James Gordon, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD, Global Leadership/Organizational Mgmt., Indiana Tech
• MBA, Finance, University of Houston
• BS, Supervision Technology, Purdue University

Mike Kohler, Online Faculty
Education

• • MBA, University of Nebraska-Omaha

• Bachelor’s in Communications, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Professional Experiences

• Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development Department, Business Education Coordinator
• Mediacom Communications, VP of Government Relations and Community Affairs
• Cox Communications, VP of Public and Government Affairs

Maryann Lamer, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD, Oklahoma State University
• MBA, Southern Nazarene University
• MA, University of Oklahoma
• BS, University of Tulsa

Will Miller, Online Faculty
Education

• EdD, University of Massachusetts
• MS, Walden University
• BA, Providence College

Alvin Plexico, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD in Business (Organizational Leadership), Northcentral University
• MA in Communication, University of Oklahoma
• BBA in Management, Texas Tech University

Professional Experiences

• U.S. Navy, National Director of Media Outreach

Scott Schaffer, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD, Florida State University
• Master’s, Florida State University
• Bachelor’s, Southern Illinois University

Professional Experiences

• Ericsson, Senior Learning Program Manager
• Xerox, Senior Consultant
• Caveo Learning, Associate Principal, Account Manager
• National Science Foundation, Program Leader – LearnNSF

David Shaffer, Online Faculty
 Education

• MBA, Indiana University
• BSJ, Journalism, Economics, Northwestern University

Cheri Sparks, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD, Purdue University
• MA, Purdue University

LaTasha Swanson, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD, Strategic Health Communication, Purdue University
• MBA, Marketing, Indiana University
• BA, Graphic Design, Indiana University

Steve Witz, Online Faculty
Education

• PhD, Hospital and Healthcare Administration, University of Minnesota
• MA, Public Health, University of Minnesota
• BA, Psychology, University of Minnesota

School of Education Faculty

Marisa Exter, Assistant Professor

mexter@purdue.edu

Education

• PhD in Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University
• MS in Computer Science, Illinois Institute of Technology
• BS in Computer Science, Elmhurst College

Research Interests

• Instructional design and computing education, professional skill development, life-long learning skills and attitudes, and interdisciplinary learning experiences

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Wanju Huang, Clinical Assistant Professor

wanjuhuag@purdue.edu

Education

• PhD in Curriculum & Instruction, Concentration in Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests

• Computer-mediated communication
• Online learning
• Scenario-based learning
• Augmented reality and virtual reality
• Faculty development

 

Adrie Koehler, Assistant Professor

akoehler@purdue.edu

Education

• PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Purdue University
• MS in Technology, IUPUI
• BS in Business Education; Information, Design, and End-User Computing; Business Administration, ISU

Research Interests

• Investigating emerging technologies for instructional and professional purposes
• Examining the development and impact of instructors presence in online settings
• Exploring case-based instruction facilitation methods
• Discovering techniques for improving the transition of pre-service teachers into the education profession

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Victoria Lowell, Clinical Associate Professor

vllowell@purdue.edu

Education

• PhD in Education with dual concentration in Distance Education & Higher Education – Research and Institutional Planning, Regent University
• MEd in Educational Technology, University of Hawaii
• Post-Bac in Teacher Education Certification Program, Secondary Social Studies, University of Hawaii
• BA in History, Virginia Wesleyan College

Research Interests

• Social learning and program development and evaluation in online and distance learning
• Social cognitive learning
• Situated learning and authentic tasks for online and blended learning
• Collaborative learning
• Community of inquiry
• Scaffolding
• Student and instructor self-efficacy
• Assessment and evaluation

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Timothy Newby, Professor

newby@purdue.edu

Education

• PhD in Instructional Psychology, Brigham Young University
• BS in Psychology, Brigham Young University

Research Interests

• Issues pertaining to learning and motivation, instructional strategies, and the use of technology. In particular, he is examining the impact of digital open badges on learning and motivation in post-secondary education.

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Jennifer Richardson, Professor

jennrich@purdue.edu

Education

• PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Specializations in Educational Technology and Literacy, University at Albany/SUNY
• CAS in Educational Research and Program Evaluation, University at Albany/SUNY
• MS in Curriculum Design & Instructional Technology, University at Albany/SUNY
• MS in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University at Albany/SUNY
• MS in Educational Administration and Policy Studies, University at Albany/SUNY
• BA in Political Science and History, Russell Sage College

Research Interests

• Social aspects of online learning, professional development practices, and gauging learning in online environments

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Sunnie Watson, Associate Professor

sunnieleewatson@purdue.edu

Education

• PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Indiana University
• PhD in Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University
• MEd in Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University
• BA in Educational Technology, Ewha Woman’s University

Research Interests

• Attitude change instruction
• Information-age educational technology such as MOOCs and PIES
• Critical Systems Theory for qualitative educational research and school change

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William Watson

brwatson@purdue.edu

Education

• PhD in Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University
• MS in Information Science, Indiana University
• BA in English, Indiana University

Research Interests

• The critical, systemic change of education to realize a learner-centered paradigm, including the application of technology such as video games, virtual environments, and learning management software in order to create customized and personalized learning environments

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