Students and faculty work with lighting and cameras in the new sound stage.

Explore Our State-of-the-Art Facilities and Equipment

Students and faculty work with lighting and cameras in the new sound stage.

The School of Communications complex houses a state-of-the-art media production and education facility that meets industry standards and includes unique, first-in-the-region technologies and capabilities. Studio facilities include an audio and video production and recording suite, sound stage, workshop space, photography studio, gallery, animation, game design and video post-production labs, as well as flexible teaching spaces.


 

The Dean’s Office

Eric Rothenbuhler

Eric Rothenbuhler

Dean, School of Communications

Eric Rothenbuhler is co-editor of Media Anthropology (2005, Sage), author of Ritual Communication: From Everyday Conversation to Mediated Ceremony (1988, Sage) and co-editor of Communication and Community (2001, LEA). He serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Communication, Critical Studies in Media Communication, Communication Theory and The Radio Journal. He has authored or co-authored over 60 articles, chapters, essays and reviews on media, ritual, community, media industries, popular music and communication theory.

Areas of Expertise

  • Media anthropology
  • Media history
  • Communication systems, ranging from rituals through communities to media industries
  • Music, sound and radio

Fox News
NBC News execs roasted for refusal to launch independent investigation following Matt Lauer sex scandal

STLtoday.com
St. Louis Media Foundation Selects New Officers
Radio History Group Praised at DC Meeting

Dallas Morning News/dallasnews.com
Richardson Retiree Engineered System to Transmit Signals from Moon Landing (par. 16)

Webster News
Steering Committee Members and Focus Areas
Global Access to Abobe Creative Cloud
Video: Stroble, Rothenbuhler on AIDS Initiative
Rothenbuhler on Sexual Misconduct in Media
Six Honored at Board Meeting for Advancing Strategic Plan Goals

Webster Today
Executives from Top Media Companies to Speak to Communications Students
Program Additions and Changes for the School of Communications
School of Communications Hosts Career Series with Professionals, Alumni, Oct. 27-29
City of St. Louis Honors Bernie Hayes
Hufker Scholarship to Encourage Women in Audio Production
Snapshots: Bob Dotson Tour Hits Webster Geneva, Vienna
New Media: Communications Students Contribute to "Stay Tuned" on PBS
A Bigger, Bolder and Stronger School of Communications
In the News: Rothenbuhler on Apollo

The Journal
Rothenbuhler settles into position as SOC dean
Webster selects Eric Rothenbuhler as SOC dean

School of Communications RSS Feed
Day Named to Honor Bernie Hayes
Helen Cleary Hufker Memorial Scholarship Established to Encourage Women to Study Audio Production

Aaron Aubuchon

Aaron AuBuchon

Associate Dean, School of Communications

Classes Taught: FTVP 1300 Edit and Color, FTVP 3000 StoryLab, MEDC 1620 Media Literacy, NPRO 5000 New Media Tools, VIDE 1000 Introduction to Video Production, VIDE 1810 Video Production I, VIDE 2200 Field Production, VIDE 2400 Video Editing, VIDE 2500 Post Production, VIDE 2520 Video Production II, VIDE 3150 Topics: Docu-series Production, VIDE 3150 Topics: DVD Authoring, VIDE 3150 Topics: Cultural Crossroads, and VIDE 4500 ProSeminar in Video Production (Production House)

Areas of Expertise

  • Video production/video as a communication tool
  • Media literacy/how media messages affect your perception
  • Communications as a model for memetics
  • Digital storytelling
  • Writing and producing for television
  • Cultural connotations of fantasy entertainment
  • Horror film

Education
MA, Media Communications, Webster University, 2005; Areas of interest: media literacy, strategic communications, memetics
BA, Media Communications, Webster University, 2002; Area of interest: video production
AA, English, East Central College, 1993; Area of interest: creative writing

Nonprofit Projects

Shaw Neighborhood
SNHC Releases Shaw Neighborhood Promotional Video

Springboard
Inspiring Creativity in Every Child

Tenth Life Cat Rescue
AdWeek
Great Parody Infomercial Says a Cat Will Solve All Your Irritating Problems Call Now!

Huffington Post
HuffPost Good News: Tenth Life Cats Infomercial Tells You How to Fix Your Life ... Adopt a Cat!

Fox2 Now
8/28/13 My Neighborhood: Downtown 10th Life's cat rescue PSA is a purrrfect mix of funny and weird

Boing Boing
8/30/13 The Best Cat Adoption Video

Crapasaurus.com
8/30/13 Cat Adoption Commercial Tells You Why You Should/Shouldn't Adopt a Cat

Jezebel
9/1/13 Cat Adoption Ad Paints a Sad, Lonely Picture of Pre-Cat Life

Laughing Squid
9/4/13 Cat Adoption Ad Parodies Infomercial Tropes

Mother Nature Network (MNN)
9/4/13 Tired? Stressed? Fix Your Life By Adopting a Cat

Neatorama
Tenth Life Cat Adoption Ad

Other Media Coverage

We Are Movie Geeks
Beyond Documentary: Mondo Movies and Shockumentaries

Webster University News
Production House Gives Communication Students Experience with Real-World Clients

Webster Today
Snapshots: High School Guidance Counselors Luncheon
Snapshots: Screenwriter, Filmmaker John Russo Presents at Webster
Kemper Award Celebrates Teaching Excellence
Faculty Seminar Series: Video Production in the Classroom
Classroom Production House Video Students Produce for Clients On and Off Campus
New Media Communications Students Contribute to Stay Tuned on PBS
Geena Davis Visits Webster, Challenges Gender Stereotyping for Children
November 29 Webster Welcomes Academy Award Winner Geena Davis
2012 Kemper Award Excellence in Teaching Winners: AuBuchon
>Webster Communications Students Work: Zombies Documentary

The Journal Newspaper
Geena Davis presents on gender issues in the media at Webster

Susan Napolean

Susan Napolean

Assistant to the Dean, Coordinator, School of Communications

Professional Achievements: Susan Napolean was the executive assistant to the Orange County, Florida fire chief for six years prior to joining Webster University. As assistant to the dean, she manages strategic initiatives and supports the development of relationships with alumni and business professionals. She is an invaluable resource for the faculty, staff and students of the School of Communications. She was the recipient of the 2013 Staff Member of the Year Award.

Webster Today
Snapshot: Galaxy Radio's Operation Food Search Drive
2014 Staff Members of the Year: Lorraine LiCavoli, Susan Napoleon

Michael Zakibe

Michael Zakibe

Director of Operations, School of Communications

Professional Achievements: A St. Louis native, Michael Zakibe spent much of his career in Los Angeles, working for NBC. He served as the director of television operations and production finance for NBC Universal. As the director of operations for the School of Communications at Webster University, he is involved in decisions involving financial policies, budgets and expenditures.

Webster Today
Gorlok Greats Award Winners Announced for Fall 2017
2015 Global Leadership Academy Announced


School of Communications Student Services

Jeffrey Nations

Jeff Nations

Communications Coordinator, School of Communications Student Services

 

 

Webster University Logo

Brian Schrage

Media Technology Coordinator, School of Communications Student Services

 

 

Audio Aesthetics and Technology

Carl Nappa

Carl Nappa

Department Chair, Audio Aesthetics and Technology, Visiting Artist-in-Residence

Courses Taught: AUDI 1130 Audio Technology Practicum and AUDI 2230 Introduction to Music Recording

Professional Achievements: Carl Nappa has worked on 39 Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum records, as well as two that have gone on to be Diamond award-winning. Nappa's engineering, mixing or producing credits on records have totaled over $79 million in sales. A fateful meeting with Nelly led to a 10-year working relationship as his personal engineer. That relationship later turned into an opportunity for Nappa to create curriculum and work as executive director of the sound engineering music school, Vatterot College-ex'treme Institute in St. Louis.

Judy Connolly

Judy Connolly

Department Representative, Audio Aesthetics and Technology

Professional Achievements: Before joining the staff of the School of Communications at Webster University, Judy Connolly spent 20 years at Fleishman Hillard where she was the go-to person for project management and administrative tasks. She began her career there as an administrative assistant. She was promoted to the position of marketing coordinator and later to senior marketing coordinator. Prior to working at Fleishman Hillard, she was executive assistant to the president of Downtown St. Louis Inc.

Education
BA, Political Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri

 

Casey Hunter

Casey Hunter

Assistant Professor, Audio Aesthetics and Technology

Courses Taught: AUDI 2000 Audio Production II and AUDI 2050 Audio Technology Practicum

Professional Achievements: Prior to joining the faculty at Webster University as a visiting assistant professor, Casey Hunter had been an adjunct faculty member with the School of Communications for more than nine years. He has also been a managing partner with Spectra Audio Systems for more than 20 years. Hunter has a long track record of success as a sound designer, audio engineer, production manager and tour manager in music, theatre and special events.

Education
MA, New Media Production, Webster University, in progress
BA, Jazz Studies with an emphasis in Commercial Music, Webster University

 

Victoria Meyer

Victoria (Tori) Meyer

Associate Professor, Audio Production, Audio Aesthetics and Technology

Courses Taught: AUDI 1000 Audio Production I for Non-Majors, AUDI 1200 Introduction to MIDI, AUDI 3100 Audio Field Production for Visual Media, AUDI 3150 Topics: Foley for Horror and Sci-Fi Films, AUDI 4500 Soundtracks for Visual Media, AUDI 4700 Professional Development in Audio Production, AUDI 4800 Audio Engineering, EPMD 2000 Introduction to Adobe Audition, and NPRO 5200 Audio Storytelling

Professional Achievements: Learning Happens Everywhere Award for exemplary collaboration with Student Affairs 2018; National Park Service Artist in Residence for Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 2017; National Park Service Artist in Residence for Petrified Forest National Park, 2014; Kemper Award for Excellence in Teaching, nominee, 2012 and 2014; Kennedy Center, Best Original Score, 2010, recipient of two awards, Holding Up The Sky, by Milbre Burch, world premiere directed by Clyde Ruffin; Kevin Kline Awards, Outstanding Sound Design, 2009, Winner: Tori Meyer; Grace and Glorie, Insight Theatre Company; Library of Congress, Featured Nature Photographer of 2008 in Photography Vibes, Best of Edition; Kevin Kline Awards, Outstanding Sound Design, 2007, Nominated: Tori Meyer; Urinetown, the Musical, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Education
MFA, Sound Design, California Institute of the Arts
MM, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
BA Music, Webster University
BA Media Communications, Webster University

National Park Service
Victoria Meyer Artist in Residence 2014

How to Become — Practical Guide for Careers
How to Become an Audio Producer

University News
25th Annual Awards Ceremony, Learning Happens Everywhere Award
Teaching Festival 2018
Teaching Festival 2017

SOC RSS Feed
Sagovac's Film Crosses Country and World

Other Links
Dr. Victoria Meyer on iTunes
Dr. Victoria Meyer on YouTube (headphones required)
Tori Meyer on International Movie Database (IMDb)
Theatre Credits as Sound Designer
Tori Meyer's photography
Tori Meyer's production music library
Tori Meyer's sound effects library


Communications and Journalism

Gary Ford

Gary Ford

Department Chair, Communications and Journalism, Associate Professor, Public Relations

Courses Taught: PBRL 2100 Fundamentals of Strategic Communications and Public Relations, PBRL 2920 Writing for Public Relations, PBRL 4920 Public Relations Campaigns, PBRL 5322 Public Relations, PBRL 5465 Crisis Management Communications, and MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications

Professional Achievements: Ford Communications LLC, Weber Shandwick Worldwide, Mallinckrodt, Pfeiffer + Company, Southwestern Bell, Mayo Clinic/Mayo Foundation and Kansas City Kansan.

Education
Cert., Corporate Finance, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1990
MA, Business Management, School of Business, Webster University, 1988
BJ, School of Journalism, University of Missouri, 1974

Webster Today
Students Save Lives, Promote Community Awareness in PR Capstone Experiential Learning Projects
Schuster Retires After 32 Years
Excitement Builds Around Student Success Portal
City of St. Louis Honors Bernie Hayes

Judy Connolly

Judy Connolly

Department Representative, Communications and Journalism

Professional Achievements: Before joining the staff of the School of Communications at Webster University, Judy Connolly spent 20 years at Fleishman Hillard where she was the go-to person for project management and administrative tasks. She began her career there as an administrative assistant. She was promoted to the position of marketing coordinator and later to senior marketing coordinator. Prior to working at Fleishman Hillard, she was executive assistant to the president of Downtown St. Louis Inc.

Education
BA, Political Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri

 

Larry Baden

Larry Baden

Associate Professor, Journalism/Media Studies, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: MEDC 2200 Ethics in the Media, MEDC 4100 The Law and the Media, MEDC 5000 Media Communications, and JOUR 4170 Investigative Reporting

Professional Achievements: Larry Baden has had the good fortune of spending the past 24 years in classrooms with students. Yet, he considers himself mostly a student of teaching and learning. At the University of Kansas, Baden was named the university's distinguished professor by the Order of Omega and Golden Key honor societies. He has three times earned inclusion in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Baden completed the coursework for a doctoral degree in composition and rhetoric at the University of Nevada, Reno. Prior to teaching, Baden spent 10 years as a newspaper reporter in Missouri, Colorado and Nevada.

Education
MEd, Secondary Education, University of Nevada, Reno, College of Education, 1996
BJ, News-Editorial Sequence, School of Journalism, University of Missouri, 1984

University News
Informal Commencement Celebrates Non-Traditional Path

Webster Today
Starting Wars and Making Monsters
Teaching Festival Kemper Award Winners Panel, Feb 20
Communications Students Shine in Best of the Midwest Awards

Website
The Journal

Dorian Davis

Dorian Davis

Assistant Professor, Media Communications/Studies, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: MEDC 1050 Introduction to Media Writing, MEDC 3190 Introduction to Media Research and MEDC 5460 Media Research

Professional Achievements: Before joining Webster University's School of Communications, Dorian Davis, PhD, taught communication studies at American University in Washington D.C., and journalism at Marymount Manhattan College and Seton Hall University. His teaching and research interests include political communications and media effects. Davis has written for both popular and academic press. Most recently, he co-authored a book chapter on Donald Trump's use of the "fake news" epithet on Twitter. Davis has talked politics and pop culture on television and radio, covering topics from the role of Facebook in the Occupy Wall Street Movement to "hate-watching" Syfy's Sharknado movies.

Education
PhD, Communication, American University, 2018
MA, Newmark School of Journalism at City University of New York City, 2008
BFA, Acting, New York University, 2002

Davis, Dorian Hunter and Sinnreich, Aram. "Tweet the Press: Effects of Donald Trump's "Fake News!" Epithet on Civics and Popular Culture," President Donald Trump and his Political Discourse: Ramifications of Rhetoric via Twitter, edited by Michelle Lockhart, Routledge, 2018, ch. 14

Peter Hanrahan

Peter Hanrahan

Instructor, Scriptwriting, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: SCPT 3110 Script Analysis, SCPT 3150 Topics: Selling Your Work to Hollywood, SCPT 3300 Writing the Short Script, SCPT 3500 Writing Screenplays for Film, SCPT 4500 Advanced Scriptwriting and SCPT 4700 Professional Development in Scriptwriting

Professional Achievements: As a playwright, Peter Hanrahan has had plays read, workshopped and produced with various theatre companies, including the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. His play, "Prize Inside" was published in The Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2007 (S&K). As a working screenwriter, he has written and rewritten numerous scripts. He also has several original screenplay projects in development, including The Lowlands, which is in pre-production with actors John Leguizamo and Alfred Molina. He placed among the top 30 entrants in the Nicholl Fellowship Competition, and he has written for television for NBC and the Discovery Channel. He lived in Los Angeles for many years, where he worked as one of two in-house Story Analysts for the United Talent Agency.

Education
MFA, Playwriting, Rutgers University
BA, English, Washington University (Phi Beta Kappa)

 

Gina Jensen

Gina Jensen

Adjunct Faculty, Debate/Forensics Coach, Communications and Journalism

Professional Achievements:Scott and Gina Jensen worked together on chapters published in the recently released text, Competition, Community, and Educational Growth: Contemporary Perspectives on Competitive Speech and Debate. The book, edited by Kristopher Copeland and Garett Castleberry, is one of the most comprehensive texts written on the forensics and debate pedagogy and practice. The two were asked to contribute to the text. They co-authored chapter 23, “Telling the Story of Team: Forensic Program Management That Builds Enduring Identity and Community.” Additionally, Scott contributed chapter 10, “Embracing the Dichotomy: Balancing Competitive and Educational Goals Within Forensic Program Management.”

Education
MA, Webster University; BA, McNeese State University

Webster Today
Jensens Present at Speech and Theatre Association
School of Communications Well Represented at STAM Conference
Forensics and Debate Program Commended for 15 Years of Excellence

Other
Central States Communication Association Newsletter, Sept. 2014, Vol. 82, Issue 3, p.13

Scott Jensen

Scott Jensen

Professor, Sports Communications, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: GNST 1200 Freshman Seminar, MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communication, SPCM 1040 Public Speaking, SPCM 1280 Interpersonal Communication, SPCM 2400 Persuasion, SPCM 3150 Topics in Communication: Family Communication, SPCM 3150 Topics in Communication: Rhetoric of America's Pastime, SPCM 3150 Topics in Communication: Political Argumentation and Debate, SPCM 3500 Presentations for Media Professionals, SPCM 3600 Rhetoric, SPCM 3800 Communication and Diverse Populations, SPCM 4500 Conflict Resolution, SPCM 4600 Communication Theory, and SPCT 1800 Sports Communications

Professional Achievements:Scott and Gina Jensen worked together on chapters published in the recently released text, Competition, Community, and Educational Growth: Contemporary Perspectives on Competitive Speech and Debate. The book, edited by Kristopher Copeland and Garett Castleberry, is one of the most comprehensive texts written on the forensics and debate pedagogy and practice. The two were asked to contribute to the text. They co-authored chapter 23, “Telling the Story of Team: Forensic Program Management That Builds Enduring Identity and Community.” Additionally, Scott contributed chapter 10, “Embracing the Dichotomy: Balancing Competitive and Educational Goals Within Forensic Program Management.”

Education
MA in Speech Communication, Central Missouri State University
BA in Speech Communication, School of the Ozarks

Webster Today
Jensens Honored for Contributions to Forensics
Jensen on Debate, Sports, Speech Curricula
Forensics and Debate Team Wins Big at National Tournament
Jensen Receives Norton Lifetime Achievement Award
Forensic and Debate Team Adds More Awards at MAFA Championship Tournament
Forensics and Debate Brings Home Two National Championships
Gorlok Gala Debate Tournament Sees Largest Turnout in 17-Year History
Judges Sought for Gorlok Gala Debate Tournament Jan 23-25
Snapshots: Webster Hosts Study Break Debate Tournament
Jensens Present at Speech and Theatre Association
School of Communications Well Represented at STAM Conference
Forensics and Debate Program Commended for 15 Years of Excellence
Jensens Honored for Forensics/Debate Work at CSCA Convention
Forensics and Debate Hosts Trivia Night March 2
Forensics and Debate Invites You to Be the Judge
Webster Hosts Gorlok Gala Debate Jan. 25-27, Seeking Judges
Sixth Consecutive Win for Webster at Study Break Debate Tournament
Holden Forum Reports Record-Breaking Participation for 2012 Election Season
Forensics and Debate Team Qualifies for Elite AFA Tournament
In the News: Jensen on VP Debate
In the News: Jensen on Presidential Debates
Scott and Gina Jensen Recognized at STAM Conference
Forensic and Debate Team to Host Political Panel Discussion
>Small Forensic and Debate Team Yields Big Success at Tournament
Forensic and Debate Spring Showcase April 19
>Webster Notes: Jensens Honored for Speech and Forensics
Forensics and Debate Places in Top 10 in Nationals
Forensics and Debate Team Shine in State Competition
SOC Focus on Faculty Brown Bag Series: Forgiving and Reconciling: Myths, Truths, and its Power

School of Communications RSS Feed
School of Communications at National Communication Association Convention
Debate Tournament Attracts Schools from Across the Country

Other
Central States Communication Association Newsletter, Sept. 2014, Vol. 82, Issue 3, p.14

Joy Leopold

Joy Leopold

Assistant Professor, Media Communications/Studies, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: JOUR 3300 Newspaper Production and MEDC 2200 Ethics in the Media

Professional Achievements: Joy Leopold s research interests include digital news, civic participation, and acts of resistance, including protests and organizing for social change. She has worked as a staff writer, as well as a freelance writer. Leopold taught courses at the University of Miami while completing her doctoral degree. She joins the School of Communications at Webster University as a visiting assistant professor of media communications teaching news production and media ethics courses.

Education
PhD, Journalism and Media Management, School of Communication, University of Miami, 2018
MS, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, College of Business, University of Texas at Dallas, 2012
BA, Print Journalism, Minor, Philosophy, Manship School of Journalism, Louisiana State University, 2010

 

Trish Muyco-Tobin

Trish Muyco-Tobin

Instructor, The Journal Advisor, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: JOUR 1030 Fundamentals of Reporting, JOUR 3130 Feature Writing and JOUR 3300 Newspaper Production Workshop

Professional Achievements: Trish Muyco-Tobin has been an award-winning journalist and writer for print, radio and television for more than 20 years. She is the editor-in-chief at Gazelle magazine, a monthly fashion, community and lifestyle publication. She previously served as the editor-in-chief of Ladue News. Under her leadership, the weekly publication strengthened its focus on promoting local charities and nonprofits, encouraging diversity and highlighting the stories of those who make St. Louis a better place for the entire community.

As a broadcaster, Muyco-Tobin served as news editor for KMOX Radio, and as a senior editor, reporter and anchor for KTRS Radio. She was also executive producer for the Contact Radio Program, which aired on more than 425 stations across the country and overseas. She is the recipient of the 2014 Salute to Women in Leadership Award in Media by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis for promoting diversity in media. She serves as a board member for the St. Louis Press Club and Friends of Character Plus.

Education
BJ in Broadcast, Minor in Spanish; University of Missouri

 

Sung Eun Park

Sung Eun (Stella) Park

Assistant Professor, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: ADVT 1940 Introduction to Marketing Communications, ADVT 4190 Advertising Research and ADVT 4200 Media Planning Buying and Selling

Professional Achievements: Sung Eun (Stella) Park joined Webster University as an assistant professor of Advertising and Marketing Communications after working at the University of Southern Indiana for two years. She received a PhD from the University of Alabama with a concentration in advertising. Park is originally from South Korea, but has spent several years in different parts of the U.S. while pursuing her master's degree and a bachelor's degree in Austin, Texas, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, respectively. Her research interest is in investigating the effect of visual elements of advertising in conjunction with health communication. Her recent works have been featured in several peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicines and Health Communication.

Education
PhD, University of Alabama, Advertising

 

Barry Smith

Barry Smith

Assistant Professor, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: ADVT 2550 Creative Strategies for Advertising, ADVT 4040 Advertising Production and ADVT 5321 Advertising Decision-Making

Professional Achievements: Barry Smith's longest and most recent assignment was Director, Sales and Marketing Communications. In this role, he oversaw all wholesaler-directed communications, including Anheuser-Busch’s wholesaler conventions, excellence programs, Busch satellite network video production studios, wholesaler Internet portal and weekly email newsletters. Prior to A-B, Smith worked for Frankel & Company, 1989 Ad Age Agency of the Year. He was the senior account executive for McDonald's Corporation. He oversaw new products marketing and promotional activities and national rollout of youth promotions, such as Happy Meals.

Education
MBA, DePaul University, Chicago
BBA, Management; Roosevelt University, Chicago

 

Julie Smith

Julie Smith

Instructor, Media Studies, Communications and Journalism

Courses Taught: MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communications, MEDC 1630 Media Literacy, MEDC 4110 Media and Digital Culture, and RELG 2401 Religion and the Arts: Media Culture

Professional Achievements: Julie Smith has been teaching in the Webster University School of Communications for more than 17 years, and at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for 10 years. Her book, "Master the Media: How Teaching Media Literacy Can Save our Plugged-In World," has helped make her a widely sought-after speaker at local, national and international conferences and workshops.

Education
MS, Mass Communications, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1997
BA, Communication/Public Relations, University of Tulsa, 1990

Huffington Post
Roanoke Times Sues Former Reporter For Taking Twitter Account to New Job

My Central Jersey, part of the USA Today Network
Paramus Native Fights Back against neo-Nazi site that blamed him for Manchester bombing

The Edwardsville Intelligencer
Keeping Kids Safe on Social Media

Webster University News
In the News: Smith Profiled for Social Media, Literacy Expertise
In the News: Smith on Social Media Usage and Depression
In the News: Smith on Barr Twitter Controversy
In the News: Smith on St. Louis on the Air Sept. 3, profiled for social media talk
In the News: Smith in USA Today, Radio 63119 on Social Media
Around Webster: Julie Smith publishes 'Master the Media' book for teachers, parents
In the News: Smith's Media Literacy Book in Library Bookwatch
In the News: Turner and Smith at Fox 2


Media Arts

Chris Sagovac

Chris Sagovac

Department Chair, Associate Professor, Media Arts

Courses Taught: ANIM 1000 Animation I, ANIM 2010 Experimental Animation, ANIM 3040 Comic Book Creation, ANIM 3150 Topics: Advanced Experimental Animation, ANIM 3150 Topics: Advanced Animation Studio, ANIM 3150 Topics: Animation Dailies, ANIM 3150 Topics: Rotoscoping Workshop, ANIM 3150 Topics: Animation Festival Management, ANIM 3210 Animation Principles and Techniques I, ANIM 4010 Character Design, ANIM 4020 Storyboarding, ANIM 4620 Animation Production Senior Overview, ANIM 4700 Professional Development in Animation and FRSH 1200 Surrealism: The Real Functioning of Thought

Professional Achievements: Chris Sagovac's artistic work spans many disciplines, from animation and filmmaking, to proficiency in several fine art mediums. His work has been exhibited worldwide in galleries, film festivals and street art exhibitions. Sagovac is a practicing mail artist, abstract painter and independent comic book creator.

Education
MA in Fine Arts, Webster University
BA in Media Communications, Webster University

Gateway Cinephile
Interview With Chris Sagovac

Webster Today
Five Webster Faculty Receive Funding to Promote Entrepreneurship
Kinematifest: Annual Animation Festival Puts Spotlight on Webster Program
Drawn to Webster
Webster Vienna's 'Under the Radar' Animation Symposium Draws International Crowd

Sharon Turner

Sharon Turner

Department Representative, Media Arts

 

 

Chris Aaron

Chris Aaron

Associate Professor, Animation/Film, Television and Video Production, Media Arts

Courses Taught: ANIM 2200 Introduction to 3D Animation, FILM 1000 Filmmaking Fundamentals and FTVP 1400 Graphics and Effects

Professional Achievements: Chris Aaron is a seasoned artist whose films have premiered in international and domestic film festivals. His video art has been in national juried exhibitions, and he is the recipient of many industry awards for production, editing, 3D animation and VFX. He has successfully maintained a media production company that has developed traditional and online ad campaigns for a wide range of clients. In addition, he has worked with some of the largest production companies in the world, such as Fremantle North America and Relativity Media, to develop scripted television shows for networks including Discovery, Animal Planet, National Geographic and the History Channel.

Education
BA, Louisiana State University
MFA in Film, Syracuse University

Webster Today
Webster Film Production Faculty, Students Show 'Movie Magic' at Science Center
Black History and Culture: Student Filmmakers Showcase
Film Edited by Aaron Makes the Cut at Film Festival

Juraj Bohus

Juraj Bohus

Associate Professor, Film, Television and Video Production/New Media Production, Media Arts

Courses Taught: FILM 4560 Advance Cinematography, FILM 3150 Topics in Film Production: Czech New Wave and FILM 2320 Filmmaking I

Professional Achievements: Southern Illinois University Carbondale, assistant professor

Education
MA in Cinema and Television, Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
MFA in Cinema, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

 

Mike Breault

Mike Breault

Associate Professor, Games and Game Design, Media Arts

Courses Taught: GAME 2000 Intro to Video Game Theory and Design, GAME 2500 Traditional Game Design, GAME 3150 Special Topics in Game Design: Narrative Design I, GAME 3150 Special Topics in Game Design: Narrative Design II, GAME 3150 Special Topics in Game Design: Analog RPG Design, GAME 3150 Special Topics in Game Design: Digital RPG Design, GAME 3150 Special Topics in Game Design: Games Studies, GAME 3550 History of Video Games, GAME 3650 World Design, and GAME 4620 Senior Overview

Professional Achievements: Mike Breault began a nine-year stint at Volition in 1999, working on FreeSpace 2, several Red Faction games, and The Punisher. He later worked at Raven Software, Ubisoft Montreal, 38 Studios and Zenimax Online. His most recently published games were The Elder Scrolls Online in 2014, and its Imperial City expansion in 2015. To date, he's worked on close to 40 video games.

Education
Master of Education, Instructional Design, American College of Education
Four years of graduate study in Astrophysics PhD Program, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
BS, Physics, with minors in math and astronomy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York

 

Matthew Burton

Matthew Burton

Instructor, Games and Game Design, Media Arts

Courses Taught: GAME 2000 Introduction to Video Game Theory and Design, GAME 3000 Video Game Design I, GAME 3650 World Design, GAME 4500 Video Game Design II, andGAME 4600 Video Game Production

Professional Achievements: During the past seven years, Matthew Burton's passion for game development and design has led him to create and publish 10 titles in the iOS and Google Play app stores. Building on his Computer Systems degree (Maryville University, 2013) Burton self-published several games and mobile apps, which have been featured in IndieGame and "Stuff" magazine. In 2016, Burton was hired by Pixel Press in St. Louis as a Software Developer, where he fine-tuned his skills by working with clients such as Mattel, Cartoon Network and Disney/Star Wars. He played a key role in the development of the educational software program "Bloxels," which won the New York Toy Fair "Toy of the Year," and was featured in articles by Kotaku and Polygon. Burton's experience with Pixel Press was instrumental in creating an opportunity for him to share his knowledge of game design, coding and production with the Game Design Program at Webster University.

Education
BA, Information Systems, Maryville University, 2013

 

Julia Griffey

Julia Griffey

Associate Professor, Interactive Digital Media, Media Arts

Courses Taught: INTM 1600 Introduction to Interactive Digital Media, INTM 3150 Special Topics: Interactive Content Development for Marketing and Public Relations, INTM 3300 Programming for Interactive Media 1, INTM 4300 Programming for Interactive Media 2, INTM 4620 Senior Overview, and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications

Professional Achievements:In addition to teaching, Julia Griffey works as a web and interactive designer and developer. She is the director of e-commerce for St. Louis-based manufacturing company, Nomax Inc., and has created websites for many other educational and corporate clients. She is also the principal of Animocation, a company that creates educational, interactive, movement-driven exhibits. Her work is currently featured in the Children's Museum of the Highlands in Sebring, Florida.; Linda's Playhouse in Peachtree City, Georgia.; Monterey County Youth Museum in Monterey, California; Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum in Santa Maria, California; Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, Vermont; Museo Del Nino in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Hands On! A Child's Gallery in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Education
MFA in Design, Massachusetts College of Art
MA in Apparel Design, Cornell University
BS in Engineering, University of California at Berkeley

Webster Today
Five Webster Faculty Receive Funding to Promote Entrepreneurship

Global Thinking
Students Sample Earthship Life with 'Off-the-Grid' Study Tour in Taos, NM

Natalia Kaniasty

Natalia Kaniasty

Assistant Professor, Media Arts

Filmmaker Natalia Kaniasty grew up in a rural college town outside of Pittsburgh, the daughter of Polish immigrants. Her short films have screened and earned awards at festivals domestically and abroad. She worked on multiple feature productions in the New York independent film scene, including assisting filmmaker Todd Solondz and playwright and actor Tracy Letts. Kaniasty entered the Hollywood studio system as a director’s assistant on Warner Bros.’ tentpole film, "Ocean’s 8."

Following its release, writer-director Gary Ross invited her to Los Angeles to work alongside him in development and production. Kaniasty has also taught university courses in theatre and acting for the camera, and coached actors in New York and Los Angeles. She worked in arts education and advocacy at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She holds an MFA in filmmaking from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

 

Zachary Kaufman

Zachary Kaufman

Visiting Assistant Professor, Media Arts

Zachary Kaufman is a visual storyteller whose work explores the generational inheritance of land, values and socioeconomic status. Kaufman is also interested in collaborative projects that benefit vulnerable populations. He graduated with a BA in Journalism from San Francisco State University and served as photo editor for the Bay Area Multicultural Media Academy.

Kaufman is an alumnus of The Associated Press Diverse Visions, Eddie Adams and Mountain Workshops, and worked as a staff photojournalist on the West Coast for 10 years. His images have been published by Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and others. In 2022, he earned his MFA in Photography from Indiana University (IU) Bloomington with a research focus on the cultivation of empathy through visual media. Most recently, Kaufman served as the Communications and Media Consultant to the IU Prison Arts Initiative, an effort that offers arts education to incarcerated populations in Indiana.

 

Michael Long

Michael Long

Assistant Professor, Animation, Media Arts

Courses Taught: ANIM 1010 Animation II, ANIM 1040 Storyboarding, ANIM 2000 Advanced Animation, EPMD 2000 Introductory Topics in Media Production, FLST History of Animation, FRSH 1200 First Year Seminar: Creeping Dread, HLSC 1579 Fencing I and HLSC Fencing II

Professional Achievements: Michael Long is an award-winning animator who has taught animation production courses at Webster University for years. He has also taught courses on animation history, St. Louis history, storyboarding, foil fencing, and courses on laughter and the uncanny. He has lectured in Vienna on animation and magic, performed magic in Japan and Thailand, and is a member of the Society of American Magicians. His other interests include 1950s science fiction films, ghost stories, magic history and writing dramas for radio podcasts. All of these interests, oddly enough, contribute to living a fully animated life.

Education
MA, Media Literacy, Webster University
BA, History, University of Missouri-St. Louis

 

June Kyu Park

June Kyu Park

Associate Professor, Film, Television and Video Production, Media Arts

Courses Taught: FTVP 1100 Produce and Direct, FTVP 1200 Camera and Light, FTVP 2100 Producing the Narrative, FTVP 2200 Cinematography, and FTVP 5310 Fundamentals of Video Cameras and Lighting

Professional Achievements: June Kyu Park, born in Korea, is a transnational film director, producer and cinematographer. He makes fictional narrative, as well as experimental and documentary films that focus on ethics and morality in social context. His works have been screened at several international film festivals and exhibitions, including the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner in France; the Montecatini Film and Video Festival in Italy; the Bucheon International Film Festival in South Korea; and the Syracuse International Film Festival in the United States. A short film, "Drama," directed by Tian Guan, in which he worked as a cinematographer, has won Best Live Action Short in the 30th Warsaw Film Fest, 2014, and Best Short Fiction in the Los Angeles Film Festival, 2015. It also screened at Slamdance, Palm Springs and elsewhere.

Education
MFA in Film, May 2015, Syracuse University, New York
BFA in Film, February 2010, Yong In University, Gyounggi-do, South Korea
Certification of Screenwriting, December 2004, Korea Screenwriters Association, Seoul, South Korea

 


Media Center

Dewey Martin

Dewey V. "Marty" Martin

Director, Media Center

 

 

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Louis Lindsay

Media Services Specialist, Media Center

 

 

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Greg Landrum

Associate, Media Center

 

 

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Bud Stewart

Technician, Media Center

 

 

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Jim Wolz

Clerk, Media Center

 

 


Webster Film Series

Pete Timmermann

Pete Timmermann

Director, Webster Film Series

 

 

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Dick Bauer

Manager/Projectionist, Webster Film Series