New Graduate Assistants

Casey De Long

Casey De Long is an April 2003 Western Michigan University graduate with bachelor’s degrees in Organizational Communication and Spanish, a minor in Psychology, and a specialized certificate in non-profit leadership. This year she is a TA for the COM 170 Interpersonal Communication model. Her academic and research interests lie within intercultural communication, specifically acculturation and family communication within Mexican migrant farmworker families.

Ryan Wallace

Ryan is a 2002 graduate from Western Michigan University with a degree in Organizational Communication. Currently he is a TA for Com 170: Interpersonal Communication model. His research interests include gender and small group communication.

Melodi Everett

Melodi Everett is an April 2003 Western Michigan University graduate with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations with a minor in English. This year she is a TA for the COM 170 Interpersonal Communication model. Her academic and research interests lie within intercultural communication, specifically diversity in the work place.

Sashikala Ghule

Sashikala, a.k.a. Sashi, holds an MBA with a specialization in Marketing from Nagpur University in India. She also received her B.S. degree from Nagpur University. She has worked in the areas of computer training, software (ERP & CRM) marketing, and business development. This year she is assisting Dr. Eli Segal with COM 256: Broadcast Operations and is also working with Dr. Richard Gershon on the second edition of his book on transnational media corporations. Sashi’s academic interests are in organizational communication and human resource development and her research interests include persuasion, motivation, and brand loyalty.

Returning Graduate Assistants

Rickey Ainsworth

Rickey is a graduate of Grand Valley State University, where he received his degree in Communications with an emphasis in Film Production. This year he is teaching COM 170: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, as well as serving as the assistant editor to Dr. Mark Orbe who edits The Journal of Intergroup Relations. Rickey also serves as the secretary of the graduate student organization Communiqué. His academic and research interests include family violence and crisis counseling, and he is currently working on his thesis, a rhetorical analysis of women's fictional and non-fictional
narratives of wife rape in Victorian and contemporary literature.

Jennifer Brown

Jennifer attended Aquinas College where she received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. This fall Jennifer is teaching COM 104: Public Speaking, as well as assisting Dr. Keith Hearit with research on crisis communication, Drs. Kathy Propp, Julie Apker, and Wendy Ford on the Bronson project, and Drs. Propp and Rhodes with research. Her academic and research interests include public relations, crisis communication, and organizational management. Jennifer also currently serves as the Communication Coordinator for Communique.

Rae Anne Cinder

Rae Anne is a 2002 organizational communication graduate of Western Michigan University and is now second year graduate student working on a degree in Organizational communication. Currently she assists Dr. Maria Lapinski in COM 201, a reaserch methodology course and in the spring she will be teaching COM 170 Interpersonal Communication. She is very excited about graduating in April and hopes to find employment in West Michigan. She enjoys research with an emphasis on Marketing. Her hobbies include traveling, camping, swimming, dancing, thrill seeking, and, of course, spending time with friends and family.

Amanda Dvorchak

Amanda is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Communication and Spanish. Last year she assisted Dr. Propp with COM 280: Introduction to Organizational Communication and Dr. Northouse with COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. This fall she is teaching 2 sections of COM 170. Her academic interests are primarily in organizational communication, emotional labor, serial arguments, and health communication.

Ginny Gregory

Ginny graduated with a degree in Communication from Aquinas College. She spent 15 years working for non-profit, radio media and business-to-business organizations in the areas of communication, marketing, and public relations. This fall she is a TA for COM 170: Interpersonal Communication and is serving as a TA mentor. She is also a member of the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC). Ginny’s 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 teaching COM 170 and working on his thesis entitled, “‘Audiencing’ the Newlyweds: Exploring Audience Perceptions of The [New] Newlywed Game.” Chris currently serves as the President of Communiqué. His academic and research interests focus on advancing the understanding of culture and communication, in a variety of contexts, through the use of critical and interpretive approaches. Chris will be going on for his PhD in the Fall 2004.

Sam Harris

Sam received his undergraduate degree in Organizational Communication with a minor in management from Western Michigan University in 2002. He is currently working toward his M.A. in Organizational Communication and teaching his second year of COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. Sam’s academic interests include Organizational
Communication; Organizational Culture and Climate, and Community Leadership Ethics. Some of Sam's personal hobbies and interests include music, soccer, guitar, football, traveling, and social gatherings. He presently serves as an executive board member for both Communique' and Drive Safe Kalamazoo.

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 104: Public Speaking and COM 170: Interpersonal Communication. His other academic interests include literature, film, and theater. His research interests include identity, conflict, and performance research.

Amy Oliver

Amy is in her second year of studies in Organizational Communication. Her field of interest is Training and Development in which she hopes to pursue a career. During her graduate studies she has assisted with two undergraduate classes, assisted Dr. Jocelyn Steinke with research and currently she is teaching two sections of COM 170. In addition to class work, she is a customer service representative at Fifth Third Bank.