Carolyn Bailey Lewis, Ph.D.
Specialization: Health Communication; Organizational Communication; Autoethnography; Advocacy
Education: Ph.D. Communication Studies, Ohio University, Athens; M.S. Journalism, West Virginia University, Morgantown; B.S. Journalism and Speech, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
Professional Experience: Over 38 years as a public broadcasting/media professional. West Virginia Public Broadcasting in Morgantown, WNPB-TV, (1972-1997) – Writer/Announcer, Continuity Chief, Community Relations Manager, Director of Public Information and Graphic Design, General Manager. In 1993, first African-American female named general manager of a public television station in the U.S. Served as Director and General Manager of the WOUB Center for Public Media at Ohio University (1997-2011). Led stations through strategic planning, reorganization, and change, including WOUB’s conversion from analog to digital television. Garnered myriad national, regional, and local awards, and produced and hosted both radio and television programs. Consultant to other public broadcasting stations and student mentor. In 2013, named Director and General Manager Emerita, WOUB Center for Public Media, by the Ohio University Board of Trustees.
Academic Experience:
- West Virginia University Perley I. Reed School of Journalism – Media Issues and Ethics, Introduction to Mass Communication, Public Relations
- Ohio University School of Media Arts and Studies – Public Telecommunications, Media Management, Leadership for the Media Industries, Gender Leadership in Media, Women and the Media, Public Media in the Digital Environment
- Ohio University School of Communication Studies – Advanced Presentations, Cross-Cultural Communication, Advanced Organizational Communication, Women and Health Communication.
Current Associations:
National Communication Association
Athens City Commission on Disabilities
Presidential Advisory Council on Disability and Accessibility Planning, Ohio University
Diversity Alumni Advisory Board, Ohio University
Women in Philanthropy Program Planning Committee, Ohio University
Advisor, Refreshing Waters Ministries, Ohio University
Past Public Media Associations:
Board of Trustees, Association of Public Television Stations
Executive Committee, University Licensee Association
Board of Directors, National Educational Telecommunications Association
Chair, PBS Advertising and Promotion Advisory Committee
Chair, Southern Educational Communication Association Public Information Committee
Member, National Black Programming Consortium Board
Member, Womenfuture.com National Media Advisory Board
Advisor, Children’s Television Workshop (Sesame Street) Public Affairs Committee
Advisor, The Magic School Bus Promotion Committee
President and Secretary, Ohio Educational Television Stations
Publications: Article in College Planning and Management, “Architecture and the ADA: One Size Does Not Fit All”; Chapter in Women of Color and Leadership: Taking Their Rightful Place – “Leadership Through the Lens of Disability and Identity”; Co-Author of a Paper, Education Leadership Conference – “Let’s Educate Our Girls: The Case Study of Patkia, Afghanistan,” “Identity: Lost, Found, and (Re)constructed Through Healing Narratives: An Autoethnography of Tragedy, Travail, and Triumph” (dissertation, 2007).
Publications Edited: Boone, D. W. K. (2010). My journey’s bread: An African American’s missionary journeys in West Africa and Watts, Gary L. (2012). 100 marketing trade secrets for any business. Amazon.com
Select Awards and Honors: Telly Award, narration, Wandering Souls: Tet ’68 Remembered; Ohio University Outstanding Administrator Award; Inducted, WV All Black High Schools Academic Hall of Fame; Guest Coach, Ohio University Athletics; P. I. Reed School of Journalism Award for Professional Achievement, West Virginia University (WVU); Award of Promotional Excellence, Southern Educational Communications Association; Professional Award, West Virginia Women’s Commission; Most Loyal Mountaineer, WVU; Dr. Neil S. Bucklew Social Justice Award, WVU; Outstanding Grassroots Advocate, Association of Public Television Stations; Crystal Award, WV Public Relations Society. Speaker, presenter, and panelist for numerous national, state, and local public broadcasting conferences, meetings, and seminars. Guest lecturer for university classes.