School of Communication Faculty and Student Directory

Focus: Health Communication

Ezinne Chioma Abaneme (MSc) is a PhD student in Health Communication at Ohio University's Communication Studies. Her research focuses on maternal health, social support groups, and behavioral change, with particular emphasis on how family discussions shape women's health decisions. She believes in understanding and, developing culturally centered health communication strategies tailored towards disadvantaged and marginalized women in Nigeria.

Before joining Ohio University, Ezinne was a Lecturer at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, where she taught in the Department of Mass Communication. She has a rich blend of teaching and research, having published in reputable journals. Her research uses quantitative and qualitative methods depending on the research question.

Ezinne holds a master’s degree in public relations and advertising from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Imo State University, Owerri. She is also a promoter of Girl Child Education and Period Poverty, having volunteered and coordinated projects for Speak Out Africa. Beyond academia, Ezinne loves traveling. She is also passionate about nature, enjoys listening to music, making new friends, and learning about different cultures and their foods.

Pronouns: she/her

Erica Adzimah is a passionate sustainability advocate with extensive experience in social programs for marginalized and displaced communities. Erica holds two Master’s degrees—one in Educational Administration and Management from Ghana, another in Communication and Development Studies, and a certificate in Development Practice from Ohio University.

Her research interest focuses on the role communication ecologies play in the reproduction of poverty and inequalities. She is interested in the consequences of these not only for the individuals but also for the organisations and communities in which these individuals are embedded. She is particularly focused on using insights from research to improve educational, health, and environmental outcomes. With a keen interest in grassroots organizing, culture-centred approaches, and collective sense-making, Erica focuses on enhancing social interventions in impoverished rural and urban communities to promote equality.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Erica is deeply committed to her community. She volunteers her time and skills to support local organizations and initiatives. 

Stephen Agyei (M.A.) is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Communication at Scripps College of Communication, specializing in Interpersonal/Organizational Communication. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana (2014) and his master’s degree from the National University of Science and Technology “MISIS” in Moscow, Russia (2018).

Stephen’s research is at the intersection of organizational communication, non-governmental organizations, and migration. His work examines the communicative strategies that NGOs employ to foster a sense of belonging and offer support to African immigrants as they navigate life in a new social environment. His scholarship is also shaped by a broader engagement with deliberation, migrant voices, and the communicative construction of possibility for individuals and communities navigating systems of survival and change.

Guided by narrative and critical sensibilities, Stephen aspires to be an engaged scholar who translates research into policy impact and community engagement. Through his work, he seeks to amplify marginalized voices and contribute to conversations on organizational practices in migration and non-governmental contexts.

Stephen is a recipient of the Paul O. Boase Family Scholarship and the Outstanding Graduate Mentor awards. Stephen has served in different capacities in the Department of Communication’s Graduate Student Association. He was the former Vice President of GradCo and is currently the President of GradCo.

Health Communication Scholar | Researcher | Advocate

Ahmed Aly (M.A.) is a PhD student in Health Communication at Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication, where he serves as a Graduate Teaching Associate. He holds a

Master of Arts in Communication and Development Studies and graduate certificates in Development Practice, Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies (WGSS), Crisis Communication, Health Policy, and Clinical Informatics from Ohio University. He also holds a Master’s degree in Gender and Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Cairo University.

Ahmed’s research focuses on privacy management, self-disclosure, and digital communication among marginalized populations, with particular attention to how individuals navigate identity, belonging, and safety in transnational and digital contexts. His scholarship bridges health communication, policy analysis, and social justice, emphasizing the lived experiences of underrepresented groups. Ahmed is also recognized for his inclusive teaching philosophy and commitment to student growth. He has received multiple honors, including the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) Outstanding Graduate Student Award for Scripps College, the Edwin L. Kennedy Leadership Award for Outstanding Community Service, and the LGBT Center Student Hart Leadership Award from Ohio University.

Beyond academia, Ahmed brings extensive professional experience in humanitarian and development work with organizations such as Save the Children and projects funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM), supporting refugee and vulnerable populations in Egypt and the Global South. His interdisciplinary work reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing equity, health, and human rights through research, education, and advocacy.

James Annan is a senior corrections officer in Ghana and has worked as a Communication/Public Relations Officer at both the national and regional levels. He is excited to join the Doctoral cohort at the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University for the 2024–2025 academic year.

He recently completed a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) program in Strategic Communication at the University of Education, Winneba. He also holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Public Relations from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication Design from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Additionally, he has a Graduate Diploma in Management Studies from the Institute of Commercial Management and a Diploma in Creative Writing from the Writers Bureau (UK).

His research focus is on Interpersonal and Organizational Communication. During his postgraduate studies, he conducted research on two topics: “The Role of Public Relations in Rebranding the Ghana Prisons Service” and “Prisoner Reintegration Communication: A Study of the Ghana Prisons Service.” James is an accomplished writer with over 50 feature articles published in various national media outlets, both print and online. These articles cover a wide range of critical topic, including human rights, politics, crime, security, administrative justice, and gender issues.

During his leisure time, James enjoys reading books by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of the Republic of Ghana. He is eager to learn from esteemed faculty members, students, and other international students from diverse backgrounds at Ohio University. He considers it an honor to be part of the Bobcat community. James believes that with commitment, resilience, focus, and determination, it is possible to achieve your goals.

Dominic Asitanaga is a doctoral student in the School of Communication Studies, on the Rhetoric and Culture track. His academic and professional work focuses on rhetoric, political communication, and decolonial communication frameworks, with a particular focus on Ghanaian democratic practices and participatory governance. 

He serves as the Graduate Student Representative on the Student Alumni Advisory Council, a Research Associate for the Africa Center for Digital Transformation, and Graduate Student Senator for Scripps College in Ohio University's Graduate Student Senate. Previous leadership roles Dominic held include Vice President of the African Student Union and Congress Chair of the Graduate Students' Association of Ghana-USA. 

Outside of academic engagements, he enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching movies to inspire his creativity and broaden his perspectives. 

Area: Interpersonal & Organizational Communication

Alex Boesch (M.A.) comes to OHIO from Champaign, Illinois, and received his bachelor's degree in communication studies from Cedarville University. Alex's research interests include fandom, parasocial relationships, identity, and sports communication. He is currently working on his dissertation project, examining how grief and identity work among Dallas Mavericks fans in the aftermath of the Luka Doncic trade. In addition to research, Alex is dedicated to his teaching and employs experiential learning practices in the classroom. 

Area: Interpersonal & Organizational Communication 

Nolan Bowers (M.A.) is originally from Hayti, South Dakota. He received his undergraduate degree and master's degree from South Dakota State University. As Part of his master's degree, Nolan completed a thesis operationalizing the philosopher Karl Jasper's theory of existential communication and assisted in coaching the forensics team. 

His primary research interest lies in interpersonal communication through dyadic communication. He is also highly interested in how emotion is conveyed through communication, as well as instructional communication. During his time at Ohio University, he has been serving as assistant coach for the forensics team. 

Rosemary Charway is a dedicated and accomplished individual hailing from Ghana. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Cape Coast in 2019. She then pursued a Master's degree in Communication at Central Michigan University, USA. During her undergraduate and graduate years, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Cape Coast and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Central Michigan University. These teaching experiences have equipped her with unique and valuable teaching skills needed to facilitate effective teaching and learning. 

She possesses a deep understanding of the power of communication in shaping societies and is committed to utilizing her skills to address pertinent issues. With a specific focus on women's representation in Africa, Rosemary's research interests center around exploring and advocating for increased gender equality and empowerment across West Africa. Having worked as a Sexual Aggression Peer Advocate for a year, she also has deep interests in issues of sexual assault and domestic violence that confront individuals, particularly minority groups. 

Outside her professional and academic work, her interests include travelling, kayaking, reading, and cooking.

Prathana Dodia (M.S.) earned a Master of Science degree with a focus in Psychology from India. Prathana is a passionate researcher with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Her research interests lie specifically in gender studies, identity, and the narration of mythological and religious texts. Over the years, Prathana has been working on exploring the societal representation of women as portrayed in mythology and widespread belief. She focuses on different mediums and narratives to study political and societal misconceptions of gender in today’s society. Her current research focuses on the reproductive rights of women in the US and India. Besides academics, Prathana loves being in nature, watching sunsets, reading books, and cooking.

Specialization: Rhetoric & Culture

Ryan Eisenhuth (B.A., Geneva College) is a Doctoral Student and Graduate Teaching Associate in Ohio University's School of Communication Studies. Ryan earned a Bachelor's degree in Communication with a double-emphasis in Integrated Media Production and Public Relations from Geneva College in 2023. In addition to his academic pursuits, Ryan has professional experience in the field of communication after working in the Public Information Department of the City of Mentor, Ohio, and the Marketing & Communications Department of McGregor Senior Living in Cleveland, Ohio. Currently, Ryan serves as the Manager of Ohio University's Communication Resource Center and as the Communication Coordinator for the Ohio Communication Association Executive Board.

Ryan's research lies at the intersection of media ecology, religious communication, and rhetorical theory. Recent research projects Ryan has worked on include "Media Ecology and the Modern Invention of Race," "Orality, Literacy, and the Renegotiation of Authenticity on BeReal," "Memory Dis-Membered: A Call to Re-Member the Forgotten Rhetorical Canon," and "Revitalizing Friendships in the Age of Disruption." In these projects and beyond, Ryan aims to explore how the rhetorical functions of communication technologies shape what we remember, how we relate to each other in communities, and what it means to be human.

In his free time, Ryan likes to read books, go on hikes, grow as an amateur photographer, and travel around the country with his family and friends. 

Elis Fricker (pronouns they/them) has an M.A. in Communication Studies from the University of South Dakota and an M.A. in History with a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies from North Dakota State University (NDSU). In between degrees, Elis worked as an adjunct instructor for classes across multiple disciplines and a site interpreter for the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Their research encompasses critical rhetoric, public memory, media, and queer and gender/sexuality studies to examine how mainstream education and media silence marginalized people and their experiences while also advocating for increased inclusion of marginalized histories and voices in those spaces. 

Jessie Gongolo is a doctoral student in the Communication Studies Program who loves people and storytelling. She is proud to be from Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa, and has her M.A. in Communication Development Studies from Ohio University and a B.A. in Humanities focusing on Theatre for Development and a minor in Classics. Her passion for using art to inspire change led her to Hannover, Germany, where she worked on theater productions addressing gender-based violence. She later spent two years in Mozambique, where she picked up some conversational Portuguese. At the core of her work lies using narratives and performance as tools for social change, health communication, and women's justice.

When Jessie is not engaged in research or creative projects, you can find her experimenting in the kitchen, exploring life’s rhythms through music, books, movies, and podcasts, or simply enjoying quality time with friends and exploring new places.

Parwana Hamdam is originally from Afghanistan. Her undergraduate degree in Public Health was earned at Kabul Medical University, and her Master's in Public Health with a specialization in Health Promotion and Community Health at the American University of Beirut. She obtained a second Master's degree in Communication and Development, focusing on Health Communication, from Ohio University. Throughout Parwana's career, she has held roles centered on health communication, community engagement, social mobilization, health promotion, and public health research in diverse settings. 

Parwana's research interests are deeply rooted in the field of maternal health, where she aims to explore the multifaceted dynamics that shape the reproductive well-being of women. Specifically, she is drawn to investigating the intricate interplay of societal norms, cultural influences, and accessibility barriers that significantly impact women's reproductive health outcomes, especially within marginalized communities residing in developing countries. Through her research endeavors, she aspires to advocate for evidence-based policy interventions and grassroots initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of maternal health disparities. By amplifying the voices of marginalized women and fostering community-driven solutions, Parwana aims to contribute to the creation of more equitable and inclusive maternal healthcare systems that prioritize the well-being of all women, regardless of their socio-economic background or cultural context. 

Apart from her studies, Parwana loves doing things like cooking, going to the gym, taking walks outside, being in nature, shopping, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family. 

Carolina A. Herrera Céspedes (M.A., Universidad Internacional de la Rioja; M.A., Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales; B.A., Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador) focuses on the intersections of health communication, public health, and urban environments. Her research explores how communication strategies, particularly in risk and uncertainty communication, can influence public understanding and health behaviors in the context of infectious and non-communicable diseases. Carolina's work is deeply interdisciplinary, examining how cities and urban environments shape health outcomes, particularly in Latin American settings. Prior to her doctoral studies, she worked as a communication specialist for a Health Research Center and consulted with various NGOs and higher education institutions in Ecuador. She is also actively exploring the potential of arts in health interventions as a service-linked component of her academic work.

Focus: Health Communication

Pronouns: She/her

Mildred Komey was born and raised in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Her academic journey and professional experiences have nurtured her deep passion for public health and communication studies.

Mildred earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, followed by two advanced degrees from Ohio University: a master’s in international studies focusing on African Studies and a Master of Public Health. During her career, she has contributed to the development of national policies and guidelines on maternal health and malaria in Ghana. These diverse academic and professional experiences have fueled her interest in maternal health, preventive health, interpersonal relations, and behavioral change.

Mildred is dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes for marginalized communities in the United States and Ghana. She believes in the importance of tailored health communication strategies that bridge cultural gaps in healthcare and promote positive health outcomes. Her passion lies in creating appropriate, culturally centered, and effective interventions that address the unique needs of immigrant women and underserved populations. She employs a mixed-method approach in her research, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of maternal health issues.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Mildred serves as the International Student Representative for the Graduate Communication Association (GradCo) for the 2024-2025 academic year. She finds great pleasure in preparing meals that bring her family and friends together. She values quality time spent with loved ones and enjoys building personal connections that enrich her life.

Lyzbeth King received her degrees from the University of Ghana (B.A., Psychology with Theater Arts) and Purdue University - Fort Wayne (M.A., Professional Communication with Health Communication Certificate). She is interested in Health, Interpersonal, and Family Communication; specifically, stigma communication, menstruation studies, mental health communication, women’s studies, intercultural communication, and health campaigns. In 2024, Lyzbeth received the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award from Purdue's Department of Communication. 

Lyzbeth was a summer intern with the Noble County Conventions and Visitors Bureau for two consecutive summer terms and has volunteered for Read United (a program of Crossroads United Way) and Choose Life Ghana (an anti-suicide NGO in Ghana). She is also QPR certified and a proud alumna of the Engage Noble Leadership Academy championed by Thrive Noble County and Be Noble, Inc.

Athar Memon (MSPH) completed his Bachelor in Medicine & Bachelor in Surgery (MBBS) from Shaheed Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana in 2016. After completion of a house job from Lyari General Hospital, Karachi in 2017, he started to work with People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) non-profit organization, and was appointed as an In-charge Medical Officer from 2017 to 2018 in a rural area of District, Kashmore. During that tenure, Athar observed the lack of health education and poor health literacy among community due to primary concern of our health system on treatment rather than primary prevention that ultimately lead us to the era of antibiotic abuse/resistance, poor health outcomes, and burden of infectious and chronic diseases. Following his passion towards primary prevention and research, he has completed his Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) from APPNA Institute of Public Health, Jinnah Sindh Medical University in 2020.

During post-graduation Athar actively took part in several research projects of ICRC as a research fellow and data collector. He did his thesis on “Effects of low-cost intervention on incidence of violence by establishing surveillance system in two tertiary-care sectors of Karachi and Peshawar.” The study resulted that intervention related to improving communication skills of healthcare providers and change in the behavior of community could prevent violence against healthcare providers. He has been working as a Project Manager of Healthcare in Danger Initiative, (a collaborative project of International Committee of Red Cross and APPNA Institute of Public Health) working on preventing violence against healthcare providers at healthcare facilities. Athar has been appointed at APPNA Institute of Public Health, Karachi.

Rose Moremoholo is a dedicated researcher and communication specialist from Lesotho who has joined the PhD program in Health Communication. She focuses on the health and well-being of women and girls, particularly in the area of maternal health. With a background in journalism, risk communication, and community engagement, she brings a unique combination of media expertise and development-oriented research to her work.

Rose holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Development Studies and is a former Fulbright scholar. She is passionate about utilizing strategic communication to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. Her research interests include maternal health advocacy, health messaging, and the role of media in shaping and enhancing health behaviors. She emphasizes empowering women and girls through informed, culturally sensitive interventions.

With experience in media management and community-based health campaigns, Rose aims to bridge the gaps between research, policy, and public engagement. Her goal is to foster equitable health communication strategies in Africa and beyond.

Mohamud Mumin (B.Sc.) is a doctoral student in the Rhetoric and Culture track at Ohio University's School of Communication Studies. He is also a practicing visual artist and currently serves as the Artistic Director of Soomaal House of Art, an artist-run space in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He enjoys traveling and basketball.

Focus: Interpersonal and Organizational Communication

Namra Nadeem (MPhil, MBA) is a PhD student in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication at Ohio University, where she also serves as a Graduate Teaching Associate. Her teaching centers on public speaking and communication among cultures, and she is committed to creating supportive and culturally mindful learning environments. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, Namra earned her MPhil and MBA in Business Administration, along with a BBA (Honors) with double majors in Finance and Marketing from the Lahore School of Economics in Pakistan, where she also worked as a Teaching Fellow, teaching courses in marketing/consumer behavior and supervising graduate research projects. She also gained industry experience as a Management Trainee Executive at a multinational corporation, contributing to project coordination and strategic initiatives.

Her research focuses on interpersonal and organizational communication, and she maintains an active research portfolio with published work and presentations at national and international academic conferences, including the National Communication Association, the Ohio Communication Association, the International Conference on Business, Law & Economics in Athens, Greece, and the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Science Studies at the University of Oxford, UK.

Namra brings a global and culturally grounded perspective to her research and teaching. Beyond her academic life, she stays connected to campus life and finds joy in nature, spending time with friends and family, swimming, and unwinding with music.

Pronouns: she/her

Focus: Rhetoric and Culture

Pronouns: She/her

Elina Nikolskaya Ph.D. is currently studying on the "Rhetoric and Culture" track, focusing on the phenomenon of propaganda in contemporary Russia. Her primary research interest lies in the concept of myth and its role in shaping public opinion through state influence.

She holds a specialist degree in journalism from Lomonosov Moscow State University and a bachelor's degree in law from the State Law Academy. In 2017, she earned her PhD in Philology.

Before starting her academic career, Elina worked as a television journalist, beginning as a crime reporter and later becoming the editor-in-chief of a national Russian television news program.

Her previous academic interests included the study of television content (Nikolskaya, E., Chobanyan, K. (2021). Testing the Waters: TikTok’s Potential for Television News (pp. 62-88). World of Media. Journal of Russian Media and Journalism Studies; Nikolskaya, E. (2017). Television News Magazines in Canada, the United States, and Australia in the Context of Format Transformation (pp. 102-113). Medi@lmanah.), newsroom practices (Nikolskaya, E. (2021). The Work of a Reporter in the Editorial Office of Television News. Aspect-Press.), and the representation of social conflicts in both traditional and social media (Nikolskaya, E., Krasheninnikova, M. (2022). Traditional Media and Social Media: Dialectics of Social Conflicts (pp. 103-135). Bulletin of Moscow University. Part 10: Journalism.).

In her free time, she enjoys attending theater performances, listening to blues music, and playing the violin.

Nikolskaya CV

Evans Agyemang Opoku was born in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region of Ghana. He earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Biotechnology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2019, as well as a master's degree in International Development Studies and two graduate certificates from Ohio University.

Evans has worked as an Assistant Laboratory Analyst at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute in Ghana, where he focused on plant establishment and disease diagnostics. Additionally, he has experience as a Field Supervisor for the Ghana Statistical Service.

He is passionate about community health outcomes, particularly concerning non-communicable diseases. His goal is to develop health interventions using effective health and risk communication strategies to improve outcomes related to non-communicable diseases, especially obesity. Outside of academics, Evans enjoys soccer, highlife music, and spending time with friends.

Rhoda Asabea Osei (M.A., Texas Tech University) is a doctoral student at the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University, specializing in interpersonal and organizational communication. Originally from Ghana, she brings a global and culturally rich perspective to her work, focusing on how social support, loneliness, attachment styles and cultural differences shape communication experiences. Her M.A. thesis, "The Relationship Between the Communication of Social Support, Loneliness and Adult Attachment Styles Among International Students," used a quantitative approach to explore how communication styles foster belonging and emotional well-being and was presented at the 2025 Southern States Communication Association (SSCA) conference. 

In addition to her thesis research, Rhoda authored a paper on the dark side of interpersonal communication, which was recognized as a Top Paper in her course and published in In Media Res. At Texas Tech, she served as an Assistant Course Director and Graduate Teaching Assistant for Public Speaking, mentoring new instructors and earning the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award from the College of Media and Communication. 

Her experiences also include participating in an exchange program at Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and working in communication roles with Aker Energy in Ghana. Passionate about building inclusive learning environments, Rhoda enjoys mentoring students, promoting cultural engagement, and making communication more accessible across diverse communities.

Research Focus: Rhetoric & Culture

Dolapo Michael Oyedokun was born and raised in Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa. As a dedicated academician, Dolapo has a strong passion for teaching and research in Media and Communication Studies. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Babcock University (2018), a master's degree in International Relations from Lead City University (2022), and a second master's degree in Mass Communication from Nasarawa State University (2024).

Dolapo’s research expertise spans both quantitative and qualitative methods, with a focus on citizen journalism, social media, political communication, international communication, and cultural diplomacy. He is also beginning to explore the analysis of fake news, an emerging area of interest in his research that he aims to uncover in future work. Beyond academia, Dolapo loves traveling, exploring big cities, and having fun. He is also passionate about nature, enjoys listening to music, making new friends, and learning about different cultures.

Pronouns: He/Him

Zahid Walid (D.V.M.) graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Since his graduation, he has been working a government job at an administrative post in an attached department of Services and General Administration. Zahid completed his master's degree during his job in Public Health from the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “I feel that communication is the most important part in every field of life. This is the reason I have opted for communication studies so that in future when I am at a higher post in my department, I should be well equipped with the abilities to make the employees of my office more satisfied and happier”. Zahid’s research also stems from the same idea that will help him to achieve the goals he has set

Meg Watford recently completed a Master of Arts program in Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she also received her B.A. after a career in the travel industry. As a critical-cultural, feminist scholar who situates the body as a site of resistance, advocacy, and control, her areas of focus include the rhetorical impact of anti-fat beliefs in healthcare and academic research, representations of fatness and death/dying in video games, and the organizational culture of tattoo artists. This year, her commitment to community and activism led Meg to start a collective of first-generation Communication Studies graduate students and faculty, in an effort to reclaim civility as part of public and civic life. 

Out in the wild, you’ll find her joined by her slightly oversized void pug, Truly.

Siyuan Xiang is a PhD student in the Communication Studies program. Her academic experience focuses on exploring political communication, power structures, and evolving political rhetoric. Outside of academia, she is passionate about cultural and athletic pursuits—she is a traditional Chinese opera performer and an amateur tennis player. As an ENTJ, Siyuan also loves meeting new people, having engaging discussions, and participating in book clubs.

sx840824@ohio.edu

Albert Junior Nyarko is a Ph.D. student in Communication Studies, specializing in Health Communication, in the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University. His research interests lie at the intersection of health communication, culture, communication technology, misinformation, and health literacy. More specifically, he focuses on social support, patient–provider communication, and the use of communication technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and social media, to promote physical, social, and mental health.

an564326@ohio.edu

Anthonia Kportmegbey (M.A.) is a PhD student in Communication Studies, Rhetoric and Culture at Ohio University. Her work focuses on researching and documenting the lives and legacies of female Ghanaian traditional dance pioneers, with a focus on how performance and narrative preserve cultural memory. With a background in dance, theatre, and arts administration, she brings an interdisciplinary approach to her research, combining performance, community engagement, and qualitative inquiry. Beyond her academic work, Anthonia is passionate about public speaking, event hosting, and cultural facilitation. She has over a decade experience in event management, project and program management. She has hosted events for ISU and ASU on Ohio University’s campus and has served as the Fashion Show Coordinator for the Global Arts Festival for three consecutive years. She also enjoys Acting and Dance and is interested in creating spaces where storytelling, identity, performance, and community intersect.

ak911122@ohio.edu 

Abdoulie Singhateh (M.A.) has close to a decade of experience working for international Organizations. He worked for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) country office in The Gambia, working with migrants and their host communities, to facilitate return and reintegration programs under the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. He later worked for GIZ, a German International Development Cooperation under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development, directly implementing reintegration programs for migrants through skills and livelihood-based trainings in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Nigeria. His professional career focuses on international development corporations in the areas of environment, climate change, migration, and peacebuilding. He holds a bachelor’s degree in development studies from the University of the Gambia.

Abdoulie graduated with a Master of Science in Environmental Studies and a Master's in Public Administration at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University during the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony. His research focused on the rhetorical strategies used to describe climate change -induced human mobility understanding if salinity intrusion and sea level rise are cause effects that lead to mobility from a coastal community called Kartong in The Gambia and if that serves as an adaptation strategy for people of kartong.

While doing his dual-degree program, he served as a Graduate Assistant for the Administration Hub at the Ohio University, Office of Sustainability, focused on promoting the Ohio University Climate and Sustainability Action through promoting campus sustainability and climate change education on campus. As a PHD student in Communication-Rhetorics and Culture at Scripps College of Communication, Abdoulie’s research interests lie in environmental rhetoric, culture, climate change, migration, and peacebuilding.

as962723@ohio.edu 

David Tetteh (M.A) is a doctoral student in the Communication Studies program. His research explores culture and rhetoric, Afro-diasporic visuality, media and identity, and postcolonial aesthetics, with particular attention to how marginalized African and diasporic communities, especially Rastafari communities, use embodied aesthetic practices, visual culture, and mediated storytelling to negotiate identity, resist stigma, and challenge dominant cultural narratives. He is especially interested in how practices associated with Rastafari identity; including dreadlocks, style, spirituality, and performance, function as forms of visual rhetoric and communicative resistance. David earned an M.A. in Communication and Development Studies from Ohio University and a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Ghana, Legon. Alongside his research, he has taught courses in social media and media production at Ohio University, where he served as an Adjunct Professor for Introduction to Social Media and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for Advanced Social Media, Video Production Basics, and Video & Audio Field Production. Outside academia, David enjoys reggae music, highlife music, and spending time with friends.

dt745823@ohio.edu 

Huminet Alhassan (M.A.) is originally from Ghana. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Education, Winneba, where she later served as a Teaching Assistant. She earned a Master of Arts in Communication and International Public Relations from the National University of Science and Technology (MISIS) in Moscow, Russia. While in Russia, she taught English as a second language, which improved her intercultural communication experience. Her undergraduate research on women’s involvement in political leadership laid the foundation for her ongoing research on the intersection of gendered communication, leadership and power in organizational contexts. Drawing from her academic background and prior research, her scholarship explores the ways communication norms affect marginalized groups, particularly women, and how more inclusive and equitable democratic leadership structures in organizations can be fostered. Huminet has contributed to several collaborative research projects, including studies on gender, organizational communication culture, leadership, interpersonal communication skills, and social media. These academic works reflect her growing interest in communication across organizational and socio-political settings. Outside academia, she enjoys reading, listening to uplifting music, and travelling. She is inspired by the phrase “What God cannot do does not exist”

ha109222@ohio.edu 

Christiana Lansana (M.A.) is a passionate gender equity advocate from Sierra Leone, West Africa. She holds a master’s degree in communication and development studies from Ohio University and a Bachelor’s degree in Gender and Development Studies from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. During her time at Fourah Bay College, she served as the first female President of the Sierra Leone Debating Council, the country’s biggest debate and public speaking organization, and served as Minister of Education in the university’s Student Union government.

Her research interests center on gender, leadership, governance, political representation, and institutional power. She is particularly interested in how women navigate male-dominated political and organizational spaces, especially within African contexts. Through this work, Christiana explores the consequences of gendered power relations not only for women in leadership but also for the institutions, organizations, and communities in which they are embedded.

At Ohio University, Christiana has worked as a Graduate Assistant and Teaching Assistant, supporting undergraduate courses in communication. She has been actively involved in student leadership, including serving as Vice President of the African Students Union. She also brings international experience as an intern with Purposeful, a global feminist organization, where she contributed to advocacy initiatives advancing girls’ rights and women’s representation.

Christiana has been recognized for her leadership and academic work, including being named one of the Fifty Most Influential Students in Sierra Leone and receiving an Academic Excellence Award. Outside of her academic pursuits, she is deeply committed to mentorship, advocacy, leadership, and community development initiatives. She is passionate about creating spaces where women, students, and marginalized communities feel seen, heard, and empowered.

cl680723@ohio.edu 

Kara Vetch (M.A.) comes to Ohio from Aberdeen, South Dakota and earned both her undergraduate and master's degree from South Dakota State University. For her master's thesis, she rhetorically analyzed political reinforcement of pronatalism utilizing feminist critical theory, political discourse theory, and social movement criticism. Her research interests include reproductive healthcare rhetoric, healthcare campaigns, and political discourse. She enjoys researching how rhetoric impacts public perception on reproductive healthcare accessibility, such as abortion care rhetoric and reproductive politics. Furthermore, she is also interested in instructional communication as she employs experiential learning and critical pedagogy in the classroom. In addition to research, she has enjoyed being an assistant forensics coach to extend her passion for empowering students' voices. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, running, and board games with friends. 

kv720026@ohio.edu