Jeanne Stewart, CGSA President

Research interests: Media effects, interpersonal, and nonverbal communication...the effects of physical aesthetics on personal selection and media influence on eating behaviors during pregnancy.

What I've learned: To put my judgments, biases, and opinions aside and truly listen to what the other person has to say. Hearing is the not the same thing as listening.

Katherine Davis, CGSA Vice President
Research interests: Campaign planning, research, design, and evaluation...campaigns to increase audience involvement with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

What I've learned: Things are not always what they seem, and titles don't always mean anything. I've also learned how to listen to others' perspectives and ideas with an open mind.

Jessica Nicole Kelly, CGSA Secretary
Research interests: Diabetes in African American women, health narratives and HIV awareness.

What I've learned: That graduate school is about coming together, sharing together, working together, and succeeding together!

Scott H. Duke, CGSA Treasurer
Research interests: Health ethics, organizational communication, and workplace conflict.

What I've learned: Everyone has a story to tell or an experience to share. When we share these individual narratives, it culminates in a rich communication that  connects us to material we've covered and to one another.

Jessica Creson, CGSA Executive Chief of Staff
Research Interests: The differences in the communication of health between genders. Organizational communication in the workplace, with emphasis on issues of age, gender, and race.

What I've learned: To accept a challenge even when it may be terrifying.

April Baer, CGSA Board Member
Research Interests: Higher education, critical studies.

What I've learned: Learning means pushing boundaries - boundaries within paradigms, within disciplines, and within yourself. Never stop pushing.

Tiffany Tamara Curry, CGSA Board Member
Research Interests: African American Health; health and the media.

What I've learned: More about myself as a person since starting graduate school, things I would have never known otherwise.

Jessica Hauser, CGSA Board Member
Research Interests: Interpersonal communication in the sports medicine setting; cultural studies.

What I've learned: The importance of an open mind and how to think outside of the box.

Sarah Higgins, CGSA Board Member
Research Interests: Media, popular culture, HIV/AIDS risk behavior trends and stigma.

What I've learned: Time management is critical. It's a fascinating world out there! And, sleep is overrated.

Heather Hitchens, CGSA Board Member
Research Interests: Cultural influence.

What I've learned: Time management.

Sohini Patel, CGSA Board Member
Research Interests: Intercultural health communication and eating disorders across cultures.

What I've learned: Time management and not procrastinating with readings.

Lauren Brett Peaden, CGSA Board Member
Research Interests: Intrapersonal and interpersonal communication strategies that help people deal with depression, specifically as a result of divorce.

What I've learned: Graduate school is not solely contained between the covers of the textbooks or journals. My learning is also influenced by the interactions shared with classmates. This program is a journey of self-discovery.

Shanna Williams, CGSA Board Member
Research Interests: Intercultural and interpersonal communication.

What I've learned: Graduate school is simultaneously time-consuming, challenging, and rewarding. I enjoy the learning process as a graduate student.