Abubakar Danlami Alhassan

Abubakar arrived in Kalamazoo from Nigeria in April 2001. He graduated from Bayero University in Kano, Nigeria in 1997 with a BA in Mass Communication. Abubakar is a member of the Communique board where he serves as one of two representatives to the WMU Graduate Student Association. Last year he assisted Dr. Joe Kayany with the Building Bridges grant. Currently he is assisting Dr. Richard Gershon in COM 240: Introduction to Media and Telecommunications. Abubakar's research interests are in the areas of Diffusion of Innovations, Political Communication, and Telecommunications.

Becky Halstead

A graduate of the University of Kansas, Becky majored in Art History and Communication Studies with an Interpersonal emphasis. She is working on her Master's degree in Interpersonal Communication and is interested in customer service interactions and disclosure in communication processes. This year Becky will be teaching COM 170 and is serving as co-mentor with Amy Jackson for the departmental teaching assistants.

Amy Jackson

Amy received her BA in Human Resource Management and Communication in 1999 from Michigan State University. Following graduation Amy held a one-year position as a National Executive Trainee with Sears Roebuck and Company in Roseville, MI. Prior to graduate school she was a sales representative /consultant with Allied Office Interiors in Lansing. Amy currently teaches COM 170 and focuses her research interest on training practices using computer -mediated strategies. Amy is also serving as co-mentor with Becky Halstead for the departmental teaching assistants.

Chitra Akkoor

Chitra received her undergraduate degree in English from the University of Madras in India. She also took undergraduate courses in computer science at WMU from 1986 to 1988. She has worked as a software developer and consultant for various companies such as Pharmacia/Upjohn. Chitra is studying organizational communication and this year she is assisting Dr. Joseph Kayany with research through the Building Bridges grant.

Rickey Ainsworth

Rickey is a graduate of Grand Valley State University. He received his degree in Communications with an emphasis in Film and Video. This year he is assisting
Dr. Heather Addison with COM 256: Broadcast Operations as well as serving as an editorial assistant to Dr. Mark Orbe who edits The Journal of Intergroup Relations. Rickey's academic and research interests include Gender Studies, specifically the genderization of language.

Jennifer Brown

Jennifer attended Aquinas College where she received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Communication. This fall she is assisting Dr. Sandra Borden with COM 307: Freedom of Speech, as well as assisting Dr. Keith Hearit with research on crisis communication. Her academic and research interests include public relations, crisis communication, and media relations.

Rae Anne Cinder

Rae Anne is a 2002 organizational communication graduate of Western Michigan University. This fall she is assisting Dr. Maria Lapinski with COM 201:
Communication Inquiry. Her academic and research interests include organizational communication and organizational turnover and productivity.

Amanda Dvorchak

Amanda is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication with a Spanish minor in 2001. This year she is assisting Dr. Propp with COM 280: Introduction to Organizational Communication. Amanda also is working with Drs. Julie Apker, Wendy Ford, and Kathy Propp with a research project at Bronson Medical Center. Her academic interest is organizational communication.

Ginny Gregory

Ginny graduated with a B.A. in Communication from Aquinas College. She spent the next 15 years working for non-profit, radio media and business-to-business organizations in the areas of communication, marketing, and public relations. Her area of concentration for her Master's degree is Interpersonal Communication. This fall she is a TA for COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. Her academic interests include interpersonal communication, organizational communication, family communication, and gender related topics in communication.

Chris Groscurth

Chris, a 2002 graduate of Western Michigan University, received his degree in organizational communication and practical writing. This fall he is assisting Dr. Julie Apker with COM 200: Introduction to COM Theory, as well as aiding Dr. Mark Orbe with his research on first-generation college students. Chris currently serves as the Communiqué treasurer. His academic and research interests include critical media / cultural studies, and gender studies.

Sam Harris

Sam received his undergraduate degree in organizational communication with a minor in management from Western Michigan University in 2002. This year he is a TA for COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. He is also the GSAC representative for Communiqué and he is an executive board member for Drive Safe Kalamazoo. Sam's academic interest is organizational communication.

Jan Krieger

Jan is a graduate of Andrews University where she received her degree in Communication. She has over fifteen years of working experience with organizations' top leadership and change management. She has published articles on sense making, resilience, and diversity in Executive Excellence and Personal Excellence magazines. This fall she will teach COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. Her academic and research interests include sense making and leadership communication, critical and feminist theory, organizational culture, organizational assessment, and change management.

Michael Muhme

Michael, a graduate of Indiana University, received his undergraduate degree in Communication and English and also has an Associate's degree in Theatre. This year he is teaching COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. His academic and research interests include relationship development, theatre and literature as communication.

Amy Oliver

Amy is a 2002 graduate of Western Michigan University. She received her undergraduate degree in organizational communication. Amy currently assists Dr. Northouse with COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. Her academic and research interest is training and development.

Carolyn Raymer

Carolyn attended Holy Cross College and Indiana University. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication in 2002. Currently she is teaching COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. Her academic and research interests emphasize organizational communication and interpersonal communication.