Journalism & Media Studies
140 7th Avenue South
St. Petersburg Florida 33701
Phone: 727-873-4850
Fax: 727-873-4034
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This web page is maintained by: Tony Silvia .
The page was last updated
6/4/08
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Faculty
Nine full-time faculty members teach in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. Students in the department have access, as well, to faculty members in Tampa and the other USF campuses and may work with faculty at The Poynter Institute.
Dr. Silvia joined USFSP's Department of Journalism and Media Studies in January 2006 from the University of Rhode Island, where he had been a faculty member since 1988. In his various roles at URI, he had served as chair of the department of journalism, director of the public relations studies program, and coordinator of internships. Dr. Silvia's professional background is in television news, having worked as a consumer reporter and news anchor at various television stations in local markets. He also produced a series of media issues programs for PBS and worked as a correspondent for CNN, based in Atlanta, while completing a faculty fellowship with the network. His work for CNN's science-technology features unit was recognized nationally by an award from the Broadcast Education Association. Dr. Silvia has also garnered three Emmy Awards, an Associated Press Award for best documentary, has authored more than two dozen published articles in both academic and industry journals, and published three books: Student Television in America: Channels of Change (1998), Global News: Perspectives on the Information Age (2001), and his most recent, Baseball Over the air: The National Pastime on the Radio and in the Imagination (McFarland, 2007). Phone: 727-873-4047. E-mail: tonys@stpt.usf.edu
Jay Black, emeritus professor Dr. Black chaired the Program for Ethics in Education and Community and was the first recipient of the Poynter Jamison Chair in Media Ethics and Press Policy, a position he held until 2003. Since 1985 he has been founding co-editor of the Journal of Mass Media Ethics. In 1997, he received the Freedom Forum’s national journalism professor of the year award. Dr. Black is co-author of Doing Ethics in Journalism and Introduction to Media Communication. He also edited Mixed News: The Public/Civic/Communitarian Journalism Debate. He’s been a reporter and copy editor for newspapers in Missouri and Ohio. His Ph.D. is from the University of Missouri. Dr. Black continues to teach "Media Ethics," "Mass Communication and Society," and a graduate course in the department in the spring terms. Phone: 727-873-4579. E-mail: black@stpt.usf.edu
Robert Dardenne, associate professor. A veteran reporter and editor in Louisiana, New York, Washington, D.C., and Mexico City, Dr. Dardenne teaches media theory and narrative journalism. He is co-author of The Conversation of Journalism and author of numerous articles and book chapters in journalism history and media effects. In 1999-2000, he taught and lectured in China on a Fulbright Fellowship. Active in community-building journalism, he helped launch several initiatives and grant programs in the region to encourage civic dialogue and participation and serves on the board of Speak Up Tampa Bay, which oversees public access TV in Tampa and Hillsborough counties. His Ph.D. is from the University of Iowa.
Deni Elliott, professor and Poynter Jamison Chair in Media Ethics and Press Policy
Graduate Program Coordinator
Deni Elliott specializes in practical ethics. In addition to her writings in media ethics, she has published work relating to ethical issues and animals, government, higher education, philanthropy, research and teaching. Her recent books are The Kindness of Strangers, Philanthropy in Higher Education and Ethics in the First Person, A Guide to Teaching and Learning Practical Ethics, both published by Rowman & Littlefield. Forthcoming books include An Involuntary Adventure, which documents her experience with breast cancer and the questions it raises for ethical medical practice and On The Edge, an irreverent look at unusual animal-human relationships. Dr. Elliott also works as the Ethics Officer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. She received an undergraduate degree in communication with a minor in journalism from the University of Maryland, a M.A. in philosophy from Wayne State University and an interdisciplinary doctoral degree with a focus in teaching ethics from Harvard University. Phone: 727-873-4857. E-mail: Elliott@stpt.usf.edu
Monique has primary responsibility for running and supervising our Neighborhood News Bureau. She is a journalist with more than 10 years of experience covering education, whose articles have appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser, Fayetteville Observer-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Tennessean, and the St. Petersburg Times. A versatile reporter, Monique writes freelance articles about relationships, family, health and education issues. Her freelance writing credits include Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff, Essence, The Physician Executive and a chapter in The Learning Connection: New Partnerships Between Schools and Colleges (Teachers College Press). In addition, she has been a guest lecturer at high school journalism workshops at the University of Alabama, Tennessee State University and the Poynter Institute. She is currently working on a memoir about her relationship with her mother and resides with her husband in St. Petersburg, Florida. Phone: 727-873-4881. E-mail: fieldsm@stpt.usf.edu
Dr. Killenberg is the founding director of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at USF St. Petersburg. He teaches media law and editing and reporting classes. His professional experience includes reporting and editing positions at the Alton (Ill.) Telegraph, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat and the Los Angeles Times. His research interests include interpersonal communication for journalists. He is author of Public Affairs Reporting: Covering the News in the Information Age, and co-author of three other books. In 1998, Dr. Killenberg received USF’s Professorial Excellence award. His Ph.D. is from Southern Illinois University. Phone: 727-873-4174. E-mail: killenbe@stpt.usf.edu
Dr. Koski brings to her teaching, research and service 15 years as a senior staff writer and editor for the U.S. Department of Energy science and engineering facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She also has also been a freelance journalist for several major daily newspapers. In our department, she teaches writing and editing courses, as well as specialty courses in literary journalism and medical journalism. Recently some of her students were recognized by the St. Petersburg Times for the community service project “Hurricane Awareness for the Homeless.” After completing her Ph.D. in science journalism at the University of Tennessee, she participated in the National Endowment for the Humanities summer institute on medicine and literature and has presented papers at national and international conferences--among them the Society for Literature and Science and Narrative Matters. Dr. Koski has published scholarly articles in the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, Points of Entry: Cross-Current in Storytelling and New Genetics and Society and serves as the editor of Sciphers, the national newsletter for the SciGroup of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Phone:727-873-4736. E-mail: Koskica@stpt.usf.edu
The author of several highly acclaimed books, including A Shadow and a Song, the story of Florida’s dusky seaside sparrow’s extinction, Dr. Walters, a veterinarian, frequently writes about the connections between human health and the environment. His most recent book, Six Modern Plagues and How We Are Causing Them, was published by Shearwater Books/Island Press in September 2003. His latest book, due for publication later this year, is Seeking the Sacred Raven (Island Press). Prior to joining USF in 2003, Dr. Walters was a visiting lecturer at Harvard Medical School. He received an undergraduate degree in English literature from McGill University, Montreal; a master’s from the Columbia University School of Journalism, New York; and a D.V.M. from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. His articles have appeared in publications such as Audubon magazine and Reader’s Digest. He is a contributing editor of Orion magazine. Phone: 727-873-4544. E-mail: mjw@stpt.usf.edu
Paul (Xiaopeng) Wang is receiving his doctoral degree in journalism and mass communication from the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University. Before joining the department of Journalism and Media Studies, he taught Graphics of Communication and graphic design labs at Ohio University. His research interests include visual communication, new media and international communication. He worked as the editor-in-chief, editor at the news departments at Tom.com and NetEase.com, two leading news Web sites in China. He also has experience working for several newspapers and the China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing, China. In our department, he teaches "Intro to Visual Journalism," "Web Publishing," and "News Paper and News Publication Design." Phone: 727-873-4856. E-mail: wang@stpt.usf.edu
Beth Reynolds specializes in black and white photo-documentaries and regularly teaches Photojournalism I and Photojournalism II in our department. She received her M.F.A. in photography from the University of Hartford Art School and was a staff photographer for the Bristol (Conn.) Press for four years. Her recent documentaries report on daycare in America, welfare moms and survivors of breast and cervical cancer. She is coordinator of the photography/digital program at The Arts Center, St. Petersburg and photographer laureate for the City of Tampa.
Debbie Wolfe is the technology training editor for 450+ journalists at the St. Petersburg Times and teaches various courses in our department, from "Media Convergence" to "Web Publishing" and "Research Methods." At the Times, she helps supervise beat projects related to the use of technology and the analysis of public records on deadline. Her background is as a reporter, managing editor, photojournalist, college-level journalism educator/administrator and news researcher. Debbie's journalism-related passions are teaching technology/new media, photography, interviewing, analysis and research techniques.
You can access Debbie's Web page: canyonwolfephoto.com for FREE tip sheets for journalists, TECH TIPS teaching archives and consulting information.
Bridget Nickens is the office manager for the Department of Journalism and Media Studies and works closely with the Director and other journalism faculty in advising students, handling finances, and long-range departmental planning. She began working with journalists as secretary to the publisher of the Indiana Daily Students newspaper at Indiana University. She’s been secretary to the president of Fort Wayne (Ind.) Newspapers, secretary to the managing editor of the Tampa Tribune and office manager for the New York Times Regional Newspapers’ Tallahassee bureau. She edits the literary arts magazine Perkins Ink for Perkins Elementary Magnet School for the Arts & International Studies. Phone: 727-873-4850
Dr. Silvia joined USFSP's Department of Journalism and Media Studies in January 2006 from the University of Rhode Island, where he had been a faculty member since 1988. In his various roles at URI, he had served as chair of the department of journalism, director of the public relations studies program, and coordinator of internships. Dr. Silvia's professional background is in television news, having worked as a consumer reporter and news anchor at various television stations in local markets. He also produced a series of media issues programs for PBS and worked as a correspondent for CNN, based in Atlanta, while completing a faculty fellowship with the network. His work for CNN's science-technology features unit was recognized nationally by an award from the Broadcast Education Association. Dr. Silvia has also garnered three Emmy Awards, an Associated Press Award for best documentary, has authored more than two dozen published articles in both academic and industry journals, and published three books: Student Television in America: Channels of Change (1998), Global News: Perspectives on the Information Age (2001), and his most recent, Baseball Over the air: The National Pastime on the Radio and in the Imagination (McFarland, 2007). Phone: 727-873-4047. E-mail: tonys@stpt.usf.edu
Dr. Black chaired the Program for Ethics in Education and Community and was the first recipient of the Poynter Jamison Chair in Media Ethics and Press Policy, a position he held until 2003. Since 1985 he has been founding co-editor of the Journal of Mass Media Ethics. In 1997, he received the Freedom Forum’s national journalism professor of the year award. Dr. Black is co-author of Doing Ethics in Journalism and Introduction to Media Communication. He also edited Mixed News: The Public/Civic/Communitarian Journalism Debate. He’s been a reporter and copy editor for newspapers in Missouri and Ohio. His Ph.D. is from the University of Missouri. Dr. Black continues to teach "Media Ethics," "Mass Communication and Society," and a graduate course in the department in the spring terms. Phone: 727-873-4579. E-mail: black@stpt.usf.edu
A veteran reporter and editor in Louisiana, New York, Washington, D.C., and Mexico City, Dr. Dardenne teaches media theory and narrative journalism. He is co-author of The Conversation of Journalism and author of numerous articles and book chapters in journalism history and media effects. In 1999-2000, he taught and lectured in China on a Fulbright Fellowship. Active in community-building journalism, he helped launch several initiatives and grant programs in the region to encourage civic dialogue and participation and serves on the board of Speak Up Tampa Bay, which oversees public access TV in Tampa and Hillsborough counties. His Ph.D. is from the University of Iowa. 
Deni Elliott specializes in practical ethics. In addition to her writings in media ethics, she has published work relating to ethical issues and animals, government, higher education, philanthropy, research and teaching. Her recent books are The Kindness of Strangers, Philanthropy in Higher Education and Ethics in the First Person, A Guide to Teaching and Learning Practical Ethics, both published by Rowman & Littlefield. Forthcoming books include An Involuntary Adventure, which documents her experience with breast cancer and the questions it raises for ethical medical practice and On The Edge, an irreverent look at unusual animal-human relationships. Dr. Elliott also works as the Ethics Officer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. She received an undergraduate degree in communication with a minor in journalism from the University of Maryland, a M.A. in philosophy from Wayne State University and an interdisciplinary doctoral degree with a focus in teaching ethics from Harvard University. Phone: 727-873-4857. E-mail: Elliott@stpt.usf.edu
Monique has primary responsibility for running and supervising our Neighborhood News Bureau. She is a journalist with more than 10 years of experience covering education, whose articles have appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser, Fayetteville Observer-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Tennessean, and the St. Petersburg Times. A versatile reporter, Monique writes freelance articles about relationships, family, health and education issues. Her freelance writing credits include Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff, Essence, The Physician Executive and a chapter in The Learning Connection: New Partnerships Between Schools and Colleges (Teachers College Press). In addition, she has been a guest lecturer at high school journalism workshops at the University of Alabama, Tennessee State University and the Poynter Institute. She is currently working on a memoir about her relationship with her mother and resides with her husband in St. Petersburg, Florida. Phone: 727-873-4881. E-mail: fieldsm@stpt.usf.edu
Dr. Killenberg is the founding director of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at USF St. Petersburg. He teaches media law and editing and reporting classes. His professional experience includes reporting and editing positions at the Alton (Ill.) Telegraph, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat and the Los Angeles Times. His research interests include interpersonal communication for journalists. He is author of Public Affairs Reporting: Covering the News in the Information Age, and co-author of three other books. In 1998, Dr. Killenberg received USF’s Professorial Excellence award. His Ph.D. is from Southern Illinois University. Phone: 727-873-4174. E-mail: killenbe@stpt.usf.edu
Dr. Koski brings to her teaching, research and service 15 years as a senior staff writer and editor for the U.S. Department of Energy science and engineering facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She also has also been a freelance journalist for several major daily newspapers. In our department, she teaches writing and editing courses, as well as specialty courses in literary journalism and medical journalism. Recently some of her students were recognized by the St. Petersburg Times for the community service project “Hurricane Awareness for the Homeless.” After completing her Ph.D. in science journalism at the University of Tennessee, she participated in the National Endowment for the Humanities summer institute on medicine and literature and has presented papers at national and international conferences--among them the Society for Literature and Science and Narrative Matters. Dr. Koski has published scholarly articles in the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, Points of Entry: Cross-Current in Storytelling and New Genetics and Society and serves as the editor of Sciphers, the national newsletter for the SciGroup of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Phone:727-873-4736. E-mail: Koskica@stpt.usf.edu
The author of several highly acclaimed books, including A Shadow and a Song, the story of Florida’s dusky seaside sparrow’s extinction, Dr. Walters, a veterinarian, frequently writes about the connections between human health and the environment. His most recent book, Six Modern Plagues and How We Are Causing Them, was published by Shearwater Books/Island Press in September 2003. His latest book, due for publication later this year, is Seeking the Sacred Raven (Island Press). Prior to joining USF in 2003, Dr. Walters was a visiting lecturer at Harvard Medical School. He received an undergraduate degree in English literature from McGill University, Montreal; a master’s from the Columbia University School of Journalism, New York; and a D.V.M. from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. His articles have appeared in publications such as Audubon magazine and Reader’s Digest. He is a contributing editor of Orion magazine. Phone: 727-873-4544. E-mail: mjw@stpt.usf.edu
Paul (Xiaopeng) Wang is receiving his doctoral degree in journalism and mass communication from the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University. Before joining the department of Journalism and Media Studies, he taught Graphics of Communication and graphic design labs at Ohio University. His research interests include visual communication, new media and international communication. He worked as the editor-in-chief, editor at the news departments at Tom.com and NetEase.com, two leading news Web sites in China. He also has experience working for several newspapers and the China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing, China. In our department, he teaches "Intro to Visual Journalism," "Web Publishing," and "News Paper and News Publication Design." Phone: 727-873-4856. E-mail: wang@stpt.usf.edu
Beth Reynolds specializes in black and white photo-documentaries and regularly teaches Photojournalism I and Photojournalism II in our department. She received her M.F.A. in photography from the University of Hartford Art School and was a staff photographer for the Bristol (Conn.) Press for four years. Her recent documentaries report on daycare in America, welfare moms and survivors of breast and cervical cancer. She is coordinator of the photography/digital program at The Arts Center, St. Petersburg and photographer laureate for the City of Tampa. 
Bridget Nickens is the office manager for the Department of Journalism and Media Studies and works closely with the Director and other journalism faculty in advising students, handling finances, and long-range departmental planning. She began working with journalists as secretary to the publisher of the Indiana Daily Students newspaper at Indiana University. She’s been secretary to the president of Fort Wayne (Ind.) Newspapers, secretary to the managing editor of the Tampa Tribune and office manager for the New York Times Regional Newspapers’ Tallahassee bureau. She edits the literary arts magazine Perkins Ink for Perkins Elementary Magnet School for the Arts & International Studies. Phone: 727-873-4850