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Welcome to the Department of Communication

In This Section

Communication Faculty

Jason McKahan
Title	Department Chair, Professor
Email	JMCKAHAN@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Jason Grant McKahan, Ph.D. has taught at Shepherd University since 2007. He has a Ph.D. from Florida State University in Mass Communications. He teaches across the curriculum in digital production, media studies and communication history.

Kevin Williams
Title	Professor
Email	kwilliam@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5723
Kevin Williams, Ph.D. holds degrees in fine arts and communication, along with a doctorate in the philosophy of communication from Ohio University. His academic work includes media studies and digital media production. Williams has published books and journal articles on music video, Frank Herbert’s Dune, scuba diving, and new technology.

Matthew Kushin
Title	Associate Professor
Email	mkushin@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5361
Matthew J. Kushin, Ph.D. – Matt for short – is an award-winning educator and scholar who has the best job in the world: He gets to think, talk, and teach social media. He is the concentration coordinator of the Strategic Communication concentration in the department. Classes he teaches or has taught include: Social Media, Politics & Social Media, Principles of PR, Strategic Campaigns, Communication Theories, Communication Research Methods, Applied Communication Research, Communication & New Media, Writing Across Platforms, Introduction to Mass Communication, Public Speaking, New Communication Technology. Before joining Shepherd University in the fall of 2012, he was an assistant professor at Utah Valley University.
Contact For	Dr. Kushin’s research focuses on social media, politics, and civic life. He has presented to audiences internationally on the subject via the United States State Department.

Monica Larson
Title	Associate Professor
Email	mlarson@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Monica Larson has taught at Shepherd since 2006. She received her BFA in Design from Syracuse University and an MFA in Web Development and New Media from Academy of Art University. Courses she currently teaches or has taught include Computer Mediated Communication, Advertising & Imagery, Graphic Novel, Game Design, Motion Graphics, Special Effects in Film, Advanced Internet Technologies and Capstone. Ms. Larson also coordinates the Department’s Capstone program. During the 90s dot-com era Larson co-founded three high tech firms, serving as VP Marketing and Chief Creative Officer roles. Prior to her entrepreneurial ventures she worked as an Art Director for Robert Rytter & Associates in Baltimore, a full-service design and advertising firm. She continues to take on select pro-bono clients. Professor Larson’s sweet spot is the intersection of design, technology and storytelling.
Contact For	Brand Development, Design, Graphic Novels

Cecelia Mason
Title	Adjunct Professor
Email	cmason@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Currently a staff writer and photographer for Shepherd University¹s Office of University Communications, Ms. Mason teaches COMM 343 News Practicum. Her background includes 23 years experience as a reporter for West Virginia Public Broadcasting, where she served as the Eastern Panhandle Bureau Chief from 1991-2014. She also hosted an interview show, Jefferson Agenda, locally on cable channel 10 for many years. Prior to that Ms. Mason worked in commercial radio and television in Lawton, Oklahoma; Wichita Falls, Texas; Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Bowling Green, Kentucky. She is currently a member of the Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting board.

Mike McGough
Title	General Manager WSHC and Communication Adjunct
Email	mmcgough@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Mike McGough began teaching at Shepherd University in Spring 2015 and has taught Public Speaking, Introduction to Mass Media, Radio Practicum and Media Management. Prior to joining SU, he taught at Penn State University-University Park and the University of Dayton. Mike earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign and his master’s degree from Mountain State University. His career in media spans more than 50 years, including 32 years as a general manager of radio and television properties. At Shepherd, Mike also serves as general manager of university radio station 89.7 WSHC-FM.