From artificial intelligence to health journalism and sports writing, new hires enrich the learning environment.
The School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) welcomed 11 new faculty this year, each bringing a fresh perspective and an area of expertise to UO’s Eugene and Portland campuses. Whether they research or teach about artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, health journalism, or sports writing or marketing, each faculty member has enriched the student experience at the SOJC.
Read on to learn more about the newest members of the SOJC community and click through to see Q&As with each of them.
Jakki Bailey
Assistant Professor of Media Studies
Jakki Bailey, assistant professor of media studies, came to SOJC Portland with an impressive track record. She’s done extensive research on the impact of virtual reality (VR) on children’s well-being and behavioral health.
During her time at the University of Texas-Austin, she worked with multiple DEI initiatives and served on juries for DEI student paper awards. Bailey, who will also be teaching in the Immersive Media Communication Master’s program, works to highlight student success and ensure that everyone has access to the education they deserve. Bailey’s goal is to prepare students to enter the workforce ready to apply immersive technology to social and health trends.
Brian Bull
Assistant Professor of Journalism
Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism who also works as a radio news reporter at KLCC in Eugene. His interest in radio news began with his Native American heritage. A member of the Nez Perce, or Nimiipu, tribe, he has always been interested in the stories, values and history that have been passed down through oral narratives for generations.
Bull’s research involves working on a comprehensive guidebook focused on covering Native American tribes and communities across the United States. As part of that guidebook, he’ll be meeting with newsroom leaders about effective ways to recruit and retain Native journalists in their ranks, because retention is a very important thing as well.
Saima Kazmi
Assistant Professor of Advertising
Saima Kazmi is an assistant professor of advertising who researches consumer psychology and strategic communication. She is particularly interested in how consumers respond to sustainability messages.
Before joining the SOJC advertising faculty, Kazmi was an instructor at University of Colorado Boulder and held various marketing positions. She holds an MBA and has extensive experience in analyzing brand data and developing strategic communication narratives.
Kazmi values student engagement and classes that offer real-life experiences. She believes showing up and participating are the only ways to succeed as a communicator, and there is no better place to build those habits than in a university environment.
Nikki McClaran
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
Sharon-Nicole “Nikki” McClaran is an assistant professor of public relations who studies health communication and how media, particularly entertainment media, influence people’s thoughts, beliefs and actions regarding health.
McClaran believes that if you want to understand how to be a good communicator, you have to delve into the world of media and its impacts. McClaran aims to teach students how to bridge the gap between health communication and effective media representation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding how media — intentionally or not — can shape what the public believes and how people act. To achieve this, students need to engage with diverse media sources and critically analyze their content.
Karen McIntyre
Assistant Professor of Journalism
Karen McIntyre is an assistant professor of journalism whose research focuses on solutions journalism and socially responsible journalism, particularly how journalism in East Africa developed from exacerbating conflict to supporting recovery and communities.
In her teaching role, McIntyre combines her passion for traditional reporting with her commitment to developing new approaches to how information is shared — offering solutions and hope alongside the important content. Her work often incorporates positive psychology techniques to create engaging journalism that steps away from the media’s negativity bias. She believes journalism doesn’t have to focus on only the problems of the world to be impactful.
Ivan Miller
Visiting Professor of Practice in Sports Journalism
Ivan Miller is a visiting professor of practice in sports journalism who believes that sports offer a way to unite people of different backgrounds.
He hopes to spark this love in his students and guide them to discover their own voice in this dynamic field, highlighting the types of sports not immediately thought of in sports journalism.
In the classroom Miller blends old-school journalism with modern multimedia and emphasizes the importance of both traditional storytelling and the ability to adapt to today’s ever-changing journalistic landscape. He hopes to foster a sense of community among his students, encouraging them to embark on whatever path they choose.
Renee Mitson
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
Renee Mitson is an assistant professor of public relations whose work focuses on how leadership communication and technology impact future perceptions and actions.
Mitson believes no one should underestimate the value of internal communication when it’s handled well. When organizations communicate well, employees are engaged, emotionally healthy and challenged, Mitson says. A focus on the importance of internal communications is one thing that drew her to the SOJC.
She hopes to instill in her students an understanding and skepticism of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Her aim is to develop strategic communicators who are able to think clearly and explain AI to others.
Kym Rohman
Instructor of Advertising and Design
Kym Rohman is an instructor of advertising and design who has a broad range of experience in the design industry, from in-house teams to large agencies, nonprofits and freelance work.
She personally enjoys typeface design, working with pens and paper and practicing calligraphy.
“There's an element of technical finesse there that makes my brain happy because there are limitations, but it’s also very creative,” she says. “I find it challenging because I need to build on top of the foundation.”
She encourages her students to watch tutorials and seek out great examples of design to get inspired to try new things.
“You need to be looking at everything, everywhere,” she tells them.
John Sutter
Assistant Professor of Science Communication
John Sutter is an assistant professor of science communication whose research focuses on finding more effective ways to tell the story of the climate crisis that will resonate with people.
Sutter has a varied background in teaching, journalism and multimedia storytelling. Before accepting the SOJC position, Sutter worked as the Ted Turner Visiting Professor of Environmental Media at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Sutter’s interest in environmental media and storytelling is deeply rooted in his commitment to climate and environmental issues. He intends to encourage students to explore their local environment and experiment with new media platforms.
Christine Wise
Professor of Practice, Advertising Area Director
Christine Wise, professor of practice and advertising area director, brings nearly three decades of industry experience as a strategist, creative collaborator, marketing consultant, new business driver and organizational leader. She has worked at independent creative agencies, global holding companies and directly with brands.
Her diverse industry experience ranges from promoting her beloved sports teams and iconic local brands to health care, retail, wireless, global technology, and food and beverage.
Wise’s research interests relate to creative effectiveness, sports and brand fandom, activating brand purpose, and ensuring high-value membership or loyalty programs.
Continuously learning about people, new categories, brands, subcultures, technology, media channels and business challenges are the main reasons she loves the advertising industry.
Daniel Zweifach
Assistant Professor of Advertising
Daniel Zweifach is an assistant professor of advertising who brings a unique blend of professional and academic expertise to his SOJC classes.
He is a cinema scholar and enthusiast with a Ph.D. in film and television. His passion is apparent in his thesis “Social Media Marquee,” which examines the interaction between Hollywood, marketing and social media.
A scholar with industry experience and a résumé that includes Google, Zweifach brings a range of expertise to his teaching. As a teacher, he views himself as a bridge between the industry and the classroom. His teaching focuses on collaboration and emphasizes the dynamic between learning and working in a field.