HDSHC 2021-2022 Annual Report

Hugh Downs the communicator

Hugh Downs was the consummate communicator. Whether broadcasting the news or talking with students at ASU, he understood the essential role human communication plays in forging connections, creating understanding, and sharing ideas and knowledge.

The national renown of the faculty, the firstclass programs, and the success of the students exemplify the finest in higher education.

-Hugh Downs

Hugh Downs on the set of The Today Show interviewing RFK and Marlon Brando

Letter from the Director

Serving as interim director and then being named direc tor of the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication during the 2021-2022 Academic Year has been an honor and privilege. As I enter my 23rd year in higher education, leading the school is a highlight of my academic career.

The return to campus has been filled with energy and excitement. Students participated in many activities, including our study abroad program, award-winning Forensics Team and internships.

The School expanded its online offerings. In addition to our popular online BS degree in communication, we now have a BA degree option. All our online programs, including the MA, are developed and taught by the same renowned faculty as our on-campus programs.

Our degree programs prepare students for success in the workforce, as demonstrated by the consistent representation of COM alumni in the Sun Devil 100 (an annual list of ASU alumni who lead or own successful, fast-growing, innovative businesses). Our doctoral students are also landing competitive positions in both industry and academic settings.

Fundraising with alumni and other supporters for scholarships, professorships and other key investments is important for maintaining the school’s vibrancy. This year, doctoral student Ana Terminel Iberri became the first recipient of the Daniel C. Brouwer Mentoring Scholarship, established to honor the late Professor Brouwer who taught at our school for 21 years.

Professor Liesel Sharabi was awarded the first-ever Hugh Downs School Faculty Innovation Award for her cuttingedge research on dating in the digital age. The two-year award was established in memory of Hugh Downs by his son, Hugh R. “H.R.” Downs; his daughter, Deirdre Downs; and his grandson, Cameron Black.

Professor Laura Guerrero was named the newest Herberger Endowed Professor. Jeanne Herberger’s philanthropic contributions fund this prestigious three-year professorship that will allow her to advance her awardwinning scholarship and teaching.

Finally, we continue to seek donations to endow the Clark C. Olson Forensics Scholarship, established by Professor Olson who directed the ASU Forensics Team for fifteen years, and who retired in May 2022 after more than 35 years at ASU.

In the future, we hope to create a campaign to fund a new “conversation café,” enhance our onsite interpreter’s practice theater, and create another named professorship in the school.

In this annual report, you’ll read about the remarkable activities happening in the Hugh Downs School. Through engaging in creative instruction, research, and service, we are inspiring hope in these unprecedented times. We welcome and invite strategic partnerships with organizations and individuals who share our passion about the importance of human communication.

Sarah J. Tracy Director,

Hugh Downs School of Human Communication

About the HDSHC

At the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, we explore the complex role of human communication in everyday life. Students in our school learn how to communicate effectively whether with one person or with large and diverse groups. Our communication courses provide the tools to understand, analyze, and respond to communication problems and opportunities, including interpersonal relationships, workplace teams, and community, civic and cultural groups.

57 21

Total Faculty

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty

Undergraduate Majors

1,900+ 250+

Online M.A. Students

Total Enrollment for 2021-22

20k+ 50

PhD Students

Based on research productivity measured by the Communication Institute for Online Scholarship, the Hugh Downs School is ranked in the Top 10 nationwide in the following areas:

• Intercultural Communication (6th)

• Interpersonal Communication (7th)

• Marriage & Intimacy (5th)

• Sexuality (6th)

• Organizational Communication (8th)

• Nonverbal Communication (10th)

Awards and Research

Associate Professor Amira de la Garza received the Gary S. Krahenbuhl Difference Maker Award

Assistant Professor Liesel Sharabi received the Hugh Downs School Faculty Innovation Award

Assistant Professor Loretta LeMaster and Graduate Teaching Associate Anya Hommadova Lu received Faculty Women’s Association Awards

Professor Laura Guerrero received the International Association for Relationship Research Teaching Award

Professor Sarah Tracy received the Outstanding Contributed Chapter Award from the Organizational Communication Division of the National Communication Association

Assistant Professor Loretta LeMaster received the Exemplary Teaching Award from the Communication & Instruction Interest Group of the Western States Communication Association

Heewon Kim, ASU, authored Alternative Worldmaking: Debunking the fairness myth

Spotlight on 2021-2022 Scholarship

Laura Guerrero, ASU, co-authored Nonverbal Communication with Judee Burgoon (University of Arizona) and Valerie Manusov (University of Washington)

Anthony Roberto, ASU, authored Public Health Communication: Science & Practice

Laura Guerrero, ASU, co-authored Interpersonal Encounters with ASU alum Bree McEwan (University of Toronto Mississuaga)

2021-2022 HDSHC Leadership

Sarah J. Tracy Director and Professor

Bradley Adame Associate Director

Benjamin Broome Director of Doctoral Studies

Belle Edson Director of Undergraduate Studies

Laura Guerrero Director of Engagement and Innovation

Jennifer Linde Director of Online Learning

Faculty

tenured

Olson

Liesel Sharabi

Heewon Kim

Lederman

Joris Van Ouytsel

Alaina Zanin

Jenna Hanchey

HDSHC in the News: The Year’s Top Stories

Assistant Professor Alaina Zanin, along with other ASU faculty, designed an Applied Coaching Communication class, a program for 8- to 13-year old girls that promotes empowerment by teaching life skills through lessons and running.

To provide an opportunity for the community to come together and address the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes through conversation, the Hugh Downs School held a Storyscope event, “Surviving Anti-Asian Racism During COVID-19” to allow attendees to share their stories in small groups called story circles.

The Hugh Downs School began offering a new online degree program, a Bachelor of Arts in communication. This popular degree has been available to campus students and is now available through ASU Online. This degree is ideal for students who want to focus more on the humanities side of communication and learn qualitative research methods such as interviewing and focus groups, both highly valued business and research skills.

‘Female opportunity gaps’ in sports participation

ASU offers a new online BA degree in communication

Community members join story circles to address anti-Asian racism during COVID-19

When people think of Valentine’s Day, red hearts and roses often come to mind. But the day can also conjure up fears about commitment and how to celebrate the occasion with your significant other or loved ones.

Here, interpersonal scholars Professor Laura Guerrero, Assistant Professor Liesel Sharabi, Graduate Teaching Associate Callie Graham and Assistant Professor Joris Van Ouytsel — offer some communication advice for Cupid’s big day.

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2021’s Best & Worst Cities for Singles

Assistant Professor Joris Van Ouytsel offers advice to singles on dating through apps and picking the right city for dating!

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Communicating on Valentine’s Day: Are you doing it right or wrong?

HDSHC Students in the News

ASU communication graduate student awarded prestigious scholarship

Liahnna Stanley, a doctoral candidate in ASU’s Hugh Downs School, is one of 100 women in the U.S. and Canada selected to receive a $20,000 Scholar Award from the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

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Communication graduate had plans to attend law school at ASU

Spring graduate Valentino Mejia is currently working two jobs, but says eventually, after taking a year off and getting work experience, wants to attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree in human resources and employment law at ASU.

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Communication major recognized as Fall 2021 Dean’s Medalist

Fall graduate Arianna Ruth, who hails from Tempe, Arizona, dedicated her time and efforts to not only do well in her classes (she is graduated with a 4.0 GPA) but to also utilize her communication skills outside the classroom through her job, internship, philanthropy and civic engagement.

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Communication interns prove invaluable to their companies

Communication majors are highly sought-after job candidates across many professional fields due to their ability to communicate effectively across varied situations. Two Hugh Downs School students, Madelaine Beitzel and Zach Rangel, found career success through their internships.

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Communication graduate juggles work and family with schoolwork to earn degree

Charlese Bedford, who graduated in spring 2021 from the Online Master of Arts in Communication program, was able to juggle a full-time job, family responsibilities and online classes at the same time to complete her coursework late in the evening when her family slept.

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Sun Devil 100 Meet

the 2021 honorees

from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication:

Kathleen Duffy Ybarra

President and CEO, Duffy Group Inc.

Ben Ellis

Founding partner and designated broker, E & G Real Estate Services

Eric Ganz

(L-R Brent Orsuga, Ben Ellis, Kathleen Duffy, Tyler Thompson, Jennifer Kaplan)

Each year, the Arizona State University Alumni Association celebrates the achievements of alumni who own or lead successful, fast-growing, innovative businesses across the globe with the Sun Devil 100 awards.

In 2021, ten of the 100 inducted into the 2021 class were communication graduates from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.

That so many of our majors were included in the 2021 class is a clear indication of the value of the communication degree. These graduates used the skills we teach – communication, collaboration, and critical thinking to excel not only in their jobs but also in their relationships and communities.

Managing partner, founder, 360 Industrial Services

Kara Goldin

Founder and CEO, Hint Inc.

Jennifer Kaplan*

Honored as HDSHC Alum of the Year Owner and founder, Evolve Public Relations and Marketing

Gary Knudson

Founder and CEO, Adsport, Inc.

Jodi Low

Founder and CEO, U & Improved

Tyler Thompson

Founder and owner, World Motors LLC

Jessica Whitney Vice President, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

Brent Orsuga (BIS communication and business) President, Founder, Pinnacle Growth Advisors

Jamie Levine Co-owner, Steve LeVine Entertainment LLC

Philanthropy fuels possibilities

When you give to the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication you become a partner in the academic success of our students, the research discoveries of our faculty and the continued effort to make the world better.

The following stories highlight our most recent scholarships.

ASU Hugh Downs School graduate endows communication scholarship

Jennifer Kaplan, a 1996 graduate of the Hugh Downs School, recently established a scholarship to provide funding to Hugh Downs School undergraduates with an interest in pursuing or studying a career in public relations. Kaplan is the owner and founder of Evolve Public Relations and Marketing, a Scottsdale-based firm founded in 2010.

Remembering Associate Professor Daniel Brouwer

Daniel Brouwer, associate professor of rhetorical studies, died unexpectedly on May 26, 2021, at the age of 51. To honor and commemorate his extraordinary impact, friends and colleagues created a fund to establish the Daniel Brouwer Mentorship Award through the ASU Foundation. The award will serve to honor faculty whose work with students reflects a commitment to the outstanding mentorship demonstrated by Brouwer.

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ASU professor receives innovation award to study dating in the digital age

Liesel Sharabi, an assistant professor who studies interpersonal communication, is the first recipient of the Hugh Downs School Faculty Innovation Award. The twoyear award was established in 2020 in memory of Hugh Downs by his son, Hugh R. “H.R.” Downs; his daughter, Deirdre Downs; and his grandson, Cameron Black.

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Jess Alberts

Lauren Amaro Kim Baptista Vanessa Beasley Lori Bednarchik David Bickford Justin Boren

Dawn Braithwaite Nicholas Brody Benjamin Broome Allen and Rachel Brouwer Chuck and Betty Brouwer

Ann Burnett and Mark Meister Anna Marie Campbell Ron Chaldu Roberta Chevrette Lisa Corrigan E Cram

Brendan and Kailee Cunningham Wade Davis and Leah White Olga Idriss Davis Barbara DeDecker Ellen Defossez

Sarah Amira de la Garza Kathy Denker Cindy Dick Leslie Dinauer Scott DuBois Christopher Duerringer Kim Dunnington Jen Eden Jessica Enoch Erin Estrup Joshua Ewalt Mindy Fenske Adelheid Fischer Michelle Flood Kory Floyd Lisa Foster Christina Foust

Kyle and Kristin Fray Constance Gordon Laura Guerrero Joley Hamilton Eileen Hammond Funa Happa Leslie Harris Emi Hashi Debbie Hawhee Stephen Heidt Matthew Heil Donna Henson

Jeanne Herberger

Karen Kimmey and Christopher Hinnant Andrea Hoban Linda Horwitz Shuzhen Huang Shawnika Hull

Jenell Johnson Michelle Kelsey Alisa Kessel Heewon Kim

Claire King Lindsay Kinkade Dayna Kloeber Ersula Knight Sally Kolin Hadar Kramer Douglas Landry Linda Lederman Terry Leeson Alec Linde Kurt Lindemann Chandra Maldonado Cynthia Marasco Judith Martin Natalie Martinez Stephen McDaniel and Justine Nguyen Andy McDiermon Mary Ann McHugh Janalee Jordan-Meldrum and Vince Meldrum Stacey Miner Quinton Miranda Paul Mongeau and Arta Damnjanovic Christine Muldoon Billie Murray Bill and Amy Nyberg Beth Babin Pask Kristin Dybvig-Pawelko and Jason Pawelko Lisa Perks Carly Woods and Damien Pfister Vincent Pham Misa Pham Mark Pollock Marnie Ritchie Susan Robinson Tyler and Sara Rolston Heidi Rose

Desiree Rowe Jill Schiefelbein Raymond Schuck Catherine Sebold Brad Serber Liesel Sharabi Rebecca Simone Justin Skarb Elena Steiner and Peter Schupp Andrew Sturt Sylvia and Adam Symonds Keri Szejda Robert Terrill Christa Teston Sophia Town Sarah Tracy Dana Trunnell

Unhinged LLC Karin Valentine and Anthony Roberto Craig Weathers Kirtley Wilson Emily Winderman Suzanne Wurster

Amy Young

Michael Zirulnik