Graduate Programs Director, 2023-2025

Helped establish the Department of Journalism and Media Communication's Center for Science Communication and currently contributing to efforts to explore making the center university-wide. Projects funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Ag, the National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. As chair of our department's undergraduate committee, I led efforts to significantly alter curricular and co-curricular… Show more Helped establish the Department of Journalism and Media Communication's Center for Science Communication and currently contributing to efforts to explore making the center university-wide. Projects funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Ag, the National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. As chair of our department's undergraduate committee, I led efforts to significantly alter curricular and co-curricular programming. Former chair of the Journal of Applied Communications Editorial Board wherein I led the creation of templates to better guide reviewer feedback and started the process of establishing ethical guidelines and policies for the journal. Show less

Department of Journalism and Media Communication faculty member teaching visual communication, information design, science/agricultural issues communication, social media management, and survey methods. Current scholarly projects include: front-of-package visual/image-based food marketing and labeling; using communication to reduce risky human-wildlife interactions in national parks; and equipping students with communication skills when controversial food, ag, and natural resources issues arise.

Contributing to the science of science communication while helping other scientists, professionals, and students plan, create, implement, and evaluate science communication efforts. My specialties are in developing communication to change people's behavior (social marketing, conservation marketing), strategic science communication, and visual communication.

The journal is published four times a year as a source of peer-reviewed research in and professional development articles on applied communications in agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences.

Aided the transition of the Agricultural Communications Program in becoming a joint major of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and College of Media. Taught courses in new media, educational campaign planning, communicating controversial food and environmental issues, and senior capstone course. "Teacher Rated as Excellent by Students" every semester. Co-advisor for Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Provided recruiting and career services for students in the… Show more Aided the transition of the Agricultural Communications Program in becoming a joint major of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and College of Media. Taught courses in new media, educational campaign planning, communicating controversial food and environmental issues, and senior capstone course. "Teacher Rated as Excellent by Students" every semester. Co-advisor for Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Provided recruiting and career services for students in the major. Secured $610,000 in grant funding. Tenure home: Charles H Sandage Department of Advertising; Affiliates: Department of Journalism and Agricultural Education Program Show less

Worked on the campaign to re-brand Florida Cooperative Extension to "Solutions for your life" in market research, media and message testing, and web design/content development. Taught undergraduate and graduate classes in agricultural communications (research and business writing, web design, print design, feature writing, organizational change).Conducted about 20 focus groups for various grant projects.

Designed and managed the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication's websites

Created and maintained websites (and some print marketing materials) for agriculture-related organizations and businesses.

Helped execute the re-design and implementation of a new web presence for state and county Extension services; Designed and implemented images; selected, edited, and organized written content to fit with the new brand identity; Assisted county and programmatic website managers with implementing and customizing the new templates we developed