The School of Communications complex houses a state-of-the-art media production and
education facility, meeting industry standards, and including unique, first-in-the-region
technologies and capabilities. Studio facilities include an audio and video production/recording
suite, sound stage, workshop space, photography studio, gallery, animation, game design,
and video post-production labs as well as flexible teaching spaces.Explore Our State-of-the-Art Facilities and Equipment
Eric Rothenbuhler
Dean, School of Communications
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 review 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
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
Associate Dean, School of Communications
Classes Taught
FTVP 1300 Edit and Color
FTVP 3000 StoryLab
MEDC 1620 Media Literacy
NPRO 5000 New Media Tools (formerly MEDC 5615 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
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
Assistant to the Dean, Coordinator, School of Communications
Professional Achievements
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
Director of Operations, School of Communications
A St. Louis native, 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.
Gorlok Greats Award Winners Announced for Fall 2017
2015 Global Leadership Academy Announced
Trezette Dixon
Director, Internship Program, School of Communications Student Services
Professional Achievements
Dixon is currently a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers,
Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers and the Gateway Career Services Association.
She moderated a panel on Preparing Students for Workplace Diversity at the 2020 Diversity
& Inclusion Conference. She received the Webster University Student Affairs "Putting
Students First" and YWCA Women in Leadership Awards.
Education
BA, Speech Communication
MEd in Adult Education
Beth Rowe
Academic Advisor, School of Communications Student Services
Professional Achievements
Rowe spent eight years as a senior academic advisor at the University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, (UNMA) in the School of Architecture and Planning before joining Webster
University. She also worked as a senior advisor in the College of Pharmacy and the
College of Nursing at UNMA, where she advised between 1,000 and 1,200 students for
more than four years.
Education
MA, Organization, Information and Learning Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque,
New Mexico, 2016
BUS, History Emphasis, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1996
Global Career Development Facilitator, 2012
Carl Nappa
Department Chair, Audio Aesthetics and Technology, Visiting Artist-in-Residence
Courses Taught
AUDI 1130 Audio Technology Practicum
AUDI 2230 Introduction to Music Recording
Professional Achievements
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.
Riverfront Times
Super Producer Carl Nappa Plots His Future in St. Louis
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Nelly and Vatterot to open recording school
Recording Studio Rock Stars
RSR067 - Carl Nappa - Producing and Mixing Hip Hop With Nelly & the Hit Factory
Judy Connolly
Department Representative, Audio Aesthetics and Technology
Professional Achievements
Before joining the staff of the School of Communications at Webster University, Connolly
spent 20 years at FleishmanHillard 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 FleishmanHillard, she was executive assistant to
the president of Downtown St. Louis, Inc.
Education
BA, Political Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Casey Hunter
Assistant Professor, Audio Aesthetics and Technology
Courses Taught
AUDI 2000 Audio Production II
AUDI 2050 Audio Technology Practicum
Professional Achievements
Prior to joining the faculty at Webster University as a visiting assistant professor,
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, theater and special
events.
Education
MA, New Media Production, Webster University, in progress
BA, Jazz Studies with an emphasis in Commercial Music, Webster University
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
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 Produce
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
Tim Ryan
Associate Professor, Audio Aesthetics and Technology, AES Advisor
Courses Taught
AUDI 1100 Audio Production 1 for Audio Production Majors
AUDI 3150 Topics: Audio Engineering Society Officers
AUDI 3950 Technical Ear Training 1
AUDI 3960 Technical Ear Training 2
AUDI 3599 Technical Ear Training 3
AUDI 4850 Acoustics
AUDI 4860 Psychoacoustics
Professional Achievements
Prior to joining the faculty at Webster University, Tim Ryan was an invited master
class instructor, as well as a visiting professor and acting area head for the Sound
Design area in the Department of Theatre Design & Production at the College-Conservatory
of Music at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was an instructor
of electroacoustics and solid-state electronics at McGill University, where he was
also a researcher and acoustical consultant for the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research
in Music and Media Technology. He has authored and/or co-authored publications for
the Audio Engineering Society (AES), Acoustical Society of America (ASA) and International
Community for Auditory Display (ICAD).
Education
PhD, Sound System Engineering and Optimization, Sound Recording Area, Schulich School
of Music, McGill University, 2011
MFA, Theatrical Sound Design and Technology, Sound Design Area, College Conservatory
of Music, University of Cincinnati, 2004
BS, Acoustical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering,
Cornell University, 2001
Webster News
Around Webster: Ryan Receives Audio Engineering Society Award
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
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
Department Representative, Communications and Journalism
Professional Achievements
Before joining the staff of the School of Communications at Webster University, Connolly
spent 20 years at FleishmanHillard 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 FleishmanHillard, she was executive assistant to
the president of Downtown St. Louis, Inc.
Education
BA, Political Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
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
JOUR 4170 Investigative Reporting
Professional Achievements
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
Assistant Professor, Media Communications/Studies, Communications and Journalism
Courses Taught
MEDC 1050 Introduction to Media Writing
MEDC 3190 Introduction to Media Research
MEDC 5460 Media Research
Professional Achievements
Before joining Webster University's School of Communications, Dr. Davis 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
Email: doriandavis39@webster.edu
Personal website: Dorian Hunter Davis (opens in new tab)
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
SCPT 4700 Professional Development in Scriptwriting
Professional Achievements
As a playwright, Hanrahan has had plays read, workshopped and produced with various
theater 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
Adjunct Faculty, Debate/Forensics Coach, Communications and Journalism
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
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
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
Assistant Professor, Media Communications/Studies, Communications and Journalism
Courses Taught
JOUR 3300 Newspaper Production
MEDC 2200 Ethics in the Media
Professional Achievements
Joy Leopold is a recent graduate of the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. Her
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
Instructor, The Journal Advisor, Communications and Journalism
Courses Taught
JOUR 1030 Fundamentals of Reporting
JOUR 3130 Feature Writing
JOUR 3300 Newspaper Production Workshop
Professional Achievements
Muyco-Tobin has been an award-winning journalist and writer for print, radio, and
television for more than 20 years. She is the community editor 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 also was 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 (Stella) Park
Assistant Professor, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Communications and Journalism
Courses Taught
ADVT 1940 Introduction to Marketing Communications
ADVT 4190 Advertising Research
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 has 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
Assistant Professor, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Communications and Journalism
Courses Taught
ADVT 2550 Creative Strategies for Advertising
ADVT 4040 Advertising Production
ADVT 5321 Advertising Decision-Making
Professional Achievements
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
Instructor, Media Studies, Communications and Journalism
Courses Taught
MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communications
MEDC 1630 Media Literacy
MEDC 4110 Media & Digital Culture
RELG 2401 Religion and the Arts: Media Culture
Professional Achievements
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
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
FRSH 1200 Surrealism: The Real Functioning of Thought
Professional Achievements
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
Department Representative, Media Arts
Chris Aaron
Assistant Professor, Animation/Film, Television and Video Production, Media Arts
Courses Taught
ANIM 2200 Introduction to 3D Animation
FILM 1000 Filmmaking Fundamentals
FTVP 1400 Graphics and Effects
Professional Achievements
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 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
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
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
Assistant 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
GAME 4620 Senior Overview
Professional Achievements
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
Assistant Professor, 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
GAME 4600 Video Game Production
Professional Achievements
During the past seven years, 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) Matt 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
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
MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications
Professional Achievements
In addition to teaching, 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
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
HLSC Fencing II
Professional Achievements
Long is an award-winning animator who, for years, has taught animation production
courses at Webster University. 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
Assistant 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
FTVP 5310 Fundamentals of Video Cameras and Lighting
Professional Achievements
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 & 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
David Rocco
Assistant Professor, Film, Television and Video Production, Media Arts
Courses Taught
FTVP 0500 Monthly Meeting
FILM 3730 Film II: Production
FILM 3750 Film II: Post-Production
FILM 4580 Advanced Editing
FTVP 1200 Camera and Light
FTVP 1300 Edit and Color
FTVP 2200 Cinematography (formerly Advanced Camera and Light)
FTVP 3000 StoryLab
FTVP 3150 Topics in Film, Television and Video Production: Filmmaking Seminar
FTVP 3150 Topics in Film, television and Video Production: Grip and Electric Spring
FTVP 3599 Independent Study in Film, Video or Television Production
FTVP 4200 Senior Overview
FTVP 4950 Graduate Independent Study
PHOT 0100 Photography Portfolio Review
PHOT 3599 Photography Independent Study
PHOT 4010 Photography Gallery Management
MEDC 5610 Video for Interactive Communications
Professional Achievements
Rocco taught in the Film and Media Studies program at Washington University as an
adjunct instructor and worked as a Fellow for the St. Louis International Film Festival
in 2011. He has produced and shot an award-winning narrative film. He also associate-produced
and shot an award-winning feature-length documentary. His experimental work has shown
in festivals in America and Europe. He has worked in Hollywood and St. Louis as both
a freelance camera operator and set stills photographer. His work in Hollywood has
landed him on every major studio lot, while his work in St. Louis has sent him to
over 50 cities operating camera for some of the largest corporations in the region.
Education
MFA in Studio Art (Photography), MA in Studio Art (Photography), Fontbonne University
BA in Film Production, Webster University
Davey Rocco: The Language of Photography
Ryan Duffy
Photo Technology Coordinator, Media Center
Louis Lindsay
Media Services Specialist, Media Center