In addition to Michael Bugeja, director of the School, you can interact with folks featured here. In fact, any faculty or staff member can tell you about the opportunities at the Greenlee School. As Dr. Bugeja notes, “We’re special because our teachers and professional staff care about our students, counsel them on courses and internship opportunities and, in many cases, become lifelong friends of their advisees.”
More names of faculty and staff members–in addition to Greenlee School alumni–will be added to the “Meet Your Mentors!” page later in the semester. For now, these members of the Greenlee School will be happy to answer any questions you may have via email:
Jeff Blevins, undergraduate director. Dr. Blevins is one of our finest teachers whose research enriches his classes in media law (Jl MC460) and ethics (Jl MC462). He’s not only interested in recruiting you to the Greenlee School; he also wants to retain you and follow your success, from your orientation class (Jl MC110) to your senior-level internship experience (Jl MC499). Email Dr. Blevins today to learn more about scholarships and classes!
Dennis Chamberlin, photographer and Pulitzer Prize winner. Prof. Chamberlin is one our of most dynamic and dedicated teachers. He’s won college and university awards for that! Students follow him around, literally. “One of the best memories I have at ISU,” says Dr. Bugeja, “is of Dennis. I was watching him outside on the green from a second-floor campus window. He had his camera in hand, pointing things out on the path, as if talking to himself. Then from around the corner of the building came a passel of students, seemingly out of nowhere, shooting digital pictures in every direction.” If you like photography, videography and everything visual, contact Prof. Chamberlin.
Raluca Cozma, assistant professor. Dr. Cozma is a recognized journalism scholar and hands-on broadcasting teacher. Students give her some of the best evaluations in the School, admiring her methods and journalistic zeal. She knows all about one of the greatest broadcasters of all time, Edward R. Murrow. And she teaches students how to report with fun and flare! Ask her how, and she’ll answer!
They don’t come more zealous and inspiring than David Bulla, associate professor. Dr. Bulla has won College and national teaching awards. He’s the adviser to the Leo Mores Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He knows all about the high school press and scholastic journalism (and sports writing, too!) And he’s an author, and expert on Civil War journalism and President Abraham Lincoln. Email Dr. Bulla, and he’ll give you a glimpse of media history and your digital future.
Jay Newell, Associate Professor. Dr. Newell was a CNN producer and now is one of the leading experts in product placement and media saturation. Know what they are? Product placement is when you see ET eating Reese’s Pieces in your favorite movie. Media saturation is when you text someone while simultaneously watching ET on television and Alien Song on your iPad. Hey, while you’re texting, why not contact Dr. Newell?
Speaking of ET and aliens, did you know that one of our professors not only has a degree in journalism and mass communication but also one in physics? He’s Assistant Professor Michael Dahlstrom, and his specialty is science communication. Talk about excellent teaching! One semester, Dr. Dahlstrom got a perfect 5.0 from students in reporting class (Jl MC 201) and science communication (Jl MC 347). Dr. Dahlstrom is one of our most engaging teachers. See for yourself, and email him.
Meet Kim McDonough, internship coordinator and main office multitasker, meeting with students, working with professional media, handling scholarships by the Scripps Foundation and White House (yes, even the White House underwrites our majors). Whew! Where do we begin with Ms McDonough when her contributions never end? Busy, yes. Too busy for you? No way. Email her about the professional opportunities that abound at the Greenlee School.
One of our up-and-coming advertising researchers is Assistant Professor Gang (Kevin) Han. Dr. Han researches products, a special type that you probably have at your fingertips. Check out your MP3 player, cell phone, laptop, TV, game console. Go to your closet and read the labels of your wardrobe. Any products “Made in China”? That’s Dr. Han’s beat, and he knows how media “frame” or depict those products. Students address him as Dr. Han, even though his adopted U.S. name is “Kevin.” When Dr. Han told that to Michael Bugeja, our director adopted a Chinese name: Bai Chee-Mai. Ask Dr. Han about that, and you’ll hear an interesting story.
One of our Master Teachers is Associate Professor Barbara Mack, an attorney who teaches an unforgetable media law class that has inspired dozens of students to become lawyers–many of whom defend our press and civil rights. Prof. Mack also teaches a memorable Mass Media and Society class, where our incoming students typically meet her for the first time. If you studied journalism at Iowa State, you will have heard about Prof. Mack. Students each semester rave about her intellect and plain common sense. She also is on the Publication Board of the Iowa State Daily. Interested in working for one of the top student newspapers in the country? Ask Prof. Mack about those opportunities.
One of our best undergraduate advisers also was the first woman chair of the department of journalism and mass communication at Iowa State University: Jane Peterson, now associate director of the School. Dr. Peterson not only recruits prospective students; she works with our academic and faculty advisers to ensure that every major graduates on time with the best possible prospects for job or Graduate School placement. Your parents will love that! If you do, too, contact Dr. Peterson and tell her.