Teaching Assistants
Jonathan Anderson
Office: Johnston 334Phone: (414) 229-3249
e-mail: jca3@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 201 (Media Writing)
Education: B.A., Journalism and Mass Communication, Political Science (UW-Milwaukee)
Biography: Jonathan graduated from UW-Milwaukee in December 2009 with a B.A. in Journalism/Mass Communication and Political Science. He is a former editor in chief of the UWM Post and continues to contribute to the newspaper on an intermittent basis. While an undergrad, Jonathan served as lead writer and researcher on a project that investigated the applicability of the state public records and open meetings laws to UW student government organizations, which resulted in the issuance of an informal opinion by the Wisconsin attorney general. He is the recipient of the 2009 College Press Freedom Award from the Student Press Law Center and Associated College Press, and has spoken at a variety of conferences about impeded disclosure of university and student government records.
His principal research interest is in media law and policy, including public access to government-held information, defamation, prior restraint, and reporter's shield laws. He is particularly interested in exploring the historical underpinnings of the right to government information, freedom of information litigation, and the intersection of public record laws and government e-mail.
Casey Carmody
Office: Johnston 332
Phone: (414) 229-6308
E-mail: carmodyc@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 101 (Introduction to Mass Media)
Education: B.S., Mass Communications with a focus on public relations, Political Science (Minnesota State University, Mankato)
Biography: A lifelong Minnesotan, Casey is taking his first steps living outside the “land of 10,000 lakes.” He grew up in the small town of Pipestone and graduated from Minnesota State, Mankato with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and Political Science. Upon graduating, Casey considered entering law school but realized it was not the correct path for him. He decided to enter the workforce and became an admissions representative at a community college near Saint Paul, MN. Through this work, he discovered working with students was a true passion and hopes to earn a Ph.D. so he can teach at a college or university. His academic interests include media law, the first amendment, and media and political elections. When Casey isn’t getting ready for class (a near constant activity for him), you can find him attempting to assimilate to Wisconsin culture, trying to earn nerd cred and discussing anything related to Minnesota sports.
Mark Irving
Office: Johnston 334
Phone: (414) 229-3249
e-mail: mjirving@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 201 (Media Writing)
Education: B.A., English, Sociology, University of Wisconsin, Parkside.
Biography: An accomplished and highly experienced professional, Mark has worked in the television industry in Southeastern Wisconsin since 1981. Prior to starting his company, i level media, inc., in 1997, Mr. Irving produced educational programs for PBS affiliate WMVS including the first “how to” automotive series, Classic Car Shop, in 1992.
After 25 years of corporate, marketing and commercial video and film production for civic, charitable and several Fortune 100 companies, Mark has returned to producing documentaries and has recently released or is in production on five independent documentaries on a variety of topics including Gridlock-Public Transit in SE Wisconsin, broadcast in 2009 on PBS affiliate WMVS. His documentary short-comedy Eat Your Fill played in competition at the 2009 NYC Food Film Festival.
A former Master’s candidate at UWM, Mark has returned to complete his degree and is teaching the JMC 332 class in Documentary Production. Mark has also taught at Madison Media Institute, Milwaukee Public Schools Art in Education Program, and Ho Chunk Nation Learning Center, and sits on the curriculum advisory boards of the MATC Visual Communications department and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
When not engaged in producing and teaching, Mark occupies himself with building things, writing short stories, playing his guitars and drums, tinkering with cars, boats and bicycles and trying to grow vegetables. He is a member of Milwaukee Independent Film Society, Milwaukee Artist Resources Network, MAST sailing yacht club, Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Lei Jia
Office: Johnston 337
Phone: (414) 229-1114
E-mail: leijia@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 360 (History of Mass Media)
Education: B.A., Education; M.A., Journalism (Beijing Normal University)
Biography: Lei Jia is from Liaoning, China. Before coming to Milwaukee, he had been working in the area of public communications for around two years and had gained some hands-on experience. He once worked with the Department of Media and Communication of The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad as a project assistant from July 2007 to September 2008. In this internship, he was involved in some international press events, including the 71st AIPS (International Sports Press Association) Congress. Additionally, he has worked with The Hoffman Agency, a global PR agency specializing in high-tech industry and headquartered in San Jose, CA. Lei's primary research interests lie in new media, strategic communications and media effects.
Minchul Kim
Office: Johnston 324
Phone: (414) 229 - 3249
Email: minchul@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 113(Internet Culture)
Education: M.A., Mass Communication (Chungang University, Korea); BA, Mass communication (Chungang University, Korea)
Biography: Minchul graduated from Chungang University (Seoul, South Korea) in Spring 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and politics. Right after finishing his undergraduate degree, he also earned his master’s degree in mass communication from his alma mater. During that master’s program, he published a journal article about the research trend in mobile communication with his academic advisor, and presented two papers at conferences. His primary research interest lies in, yet is not limited to, public opinion. What intrigues him are the rapidly changing media environment and its roles in forming and changing opinion and belief. He is willing and ready to study them further in Milwaukee. He believes that studying at UW-Milwaukee as a graduate student is an important step for him in achieving his objectives.
Stephen Kolhmann
Office: Johnston Hall 337
Phone: 414-229-1114
E-mail: kohlman6@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 214 (Advertising in American Society)
Education: B.A., University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Communication Studies (Media Studies emphasis)
Biography: Stephen graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a bachelors degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Media Studies. As an undergrad, Stephen worked on many student film and television productions and interned at the Australian Film Television & Radio School in Sydney. After graduating, Stephen spent a few years exploring “the real world,” including teaching high school literature and public speaking, cubicle-dwelling for a major corporation, and, most recently, managing the marketing/advertising for his family’s Mexican restaurant (Stephen’s family is German, French, and Irish). An intense interest in the media arts has brought Stephen back to academia and he is very excited to share his experience, as well as learn new things.
Alexander Marquardt
Office: Johnston 334
Phone: (414) 229-3249
e-mail: marquar3@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 201 Media Writing
Education: B.A., Film Studies (UW-Milwaukee)
Biography: Alex graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in Film Studies and a minor in English. His fascination with movies stems from his childhood love of such American classics as Jaws, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones, although his tastes have since broadened considerably. While Alex’s background is in film, his research interests also involve digital media and communication through visual imagery, specifically the portrayal of violence in media. Besides an obvious interest in movies, Alex also enjoys webcomics, sandwiches, and the musical stylings of Jonathan Coulton. Currently a Master’s student, he is excited to expand his knowledge of media en route to a possible teaching career.
Pavel Mitov
Office: Johnston 334
Phone: (414) 229-3249
e-mail: pzmitov@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 201 (Media Writing)
Education: B.A., Journalism and Mass Communication, International Relations (American University in Bulgaria)
Biography: Pavel graduated from the American University in Bulgaria with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and International Relations. During his studies he actively participated in his university’s student media, an online news website, a print magazine and a radio station. He also studied at Ithaca College, New York, as part of an exchange program. There he worked for an award-winning student newspaper (www.theithacan.com) and managed not to freeze to death during the winter. After finally graduating he worked as a graphic designer for a leading magazine in Bulgaria until one day he decided to go back to school.
Pavel’s research interests include visual media, media in countries in transition, and the history of media. He also likes to talk about politics and loves playing with the good old InDesign. As for his long-term goals, he is in the process of formulating them, so check back later.
Max Neibaur
Office: Johnston 334
Phone: (414) 229-3249
e-mail: mneibaur@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 201 (Media Writing)
Eduacation: B.A., Journalism and Mass Communication (UW-Milwaukee)
Biography: Max graduated from UW-Milwaukee in December of 2007 with an Honors Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication (Media Studies focus) and a minor in Film Studies. As an undergrad, he worked in the UWM Writing Center for several semesters and was the Editor-In-Chief of the UWM newspaper The Leader. After graduating, Max wrote sports and entertainment articles for Suite 101 (http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/max2425) and became a contributing editor for the online music website Frequency Magazine (http://frequencymagazine.net/author/max/). Max also sent a book proposal to McFarland Publishing, which agreed to publish his book on contemporary female singer/songwriters struggling to balance business and art in the modern music industry. Instead of writing the book right away, Max decided to attend graduate school at UWM and further explore his book topic by making it his thesis. After completing his graduate work, Max plans to extend his thesis into a book and become a university professor. Max is a sports fan and avid baseball enthusiast, and he already has plans to write a book detailing his experiences coming of age during the new golden age of sports. He also writes fiction, but more in a “just for fun” way than a “professional” way. He has about a third of a novel completed. When Max is not writing, he is obsessing over Regina Spektor, laughing at Woody Allen and Marx Brothers movies, going to baseball games, and playing on the neighborhood jungle-gym.
Rachel Ney
Office: Johnston 317
Phone: (414) 229-6308
Email: raney@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 207 (Introduction to Strategic Communications)
Education: B.A., Journalism and Mass Communications with a focus on strategic communications (University of Wisconsin-Madison); B.A., English Literature (University of Wisconsin-Madison).
Biography: Rachel was born and raised in a small, “don’t blink when you drive through it or you’ll miss it” town in southeast Wisconsin. She attended UW-Madison as an undergrad, using the time to expand her horizons (including a semester abroad in London, which officially converted her to city life and gave her the irreversible travel bug). Rachel took on several internships during her academic career, holding titles of Contributing Editor (TradePress Publishing), PR Assistant (C. Blohm & Associates), and Editorial Assistant (Bleak House Books and Wisconsin Center for Education Research). After graduating with a double degree in Journalism (with a focus on strategic communications) and English literature, it was time to brave the uncertain economy and find a job in her field. For the last two years she has worked as a Copy Editor for a prominent Milwaukee law firm, but recently she decided it was time to shake things up a bit. And so, here she is attending grad school at UWM, TAing for the department, and focusing on her freelance editor career. Rachel is very interested in studying how the new media culture and social media is affecting her industry (book publishing), as well as examining the constantly evolving climate of the field. When she is not slaving away as your TA, Rachel can be found cooking a new recipe, grabbing a drink and chatting with friends and family, or reading for pleasure. She likes cookouts (especially near a lake), her pets, Diet Dr. Pepper, and the smell of books—preferably old ones. She is looking forward to a great year at UWM!
Andy Palen
Office: Johnston Hall 332
Phone: 414-229-6308
E-mail : ampalen@uwm.edu
Course : JAMS 101 (Introduction to Mass Media)
Education : B.A., UWM, History
Biography: Andy is a native of Milwaukee, WI. Andy received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in December of 2009 with a focus on American history and popular culture. His academic interests include both domestic and foreign terrorism, media ethics and law, neo-Noir film, western popular music and the media’s ability to influence a political agenda. For over ten years Andy was an Executive Manager for the Target Corporation. Andy has also worked for Clear Channel Entertainment. He is very active in the community and takes part in many volunteer activities.
Carey Peck
Office: Johnston 332
Phone: (414) 229-6308
e-mail: capeck@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 101 (Introduction to Mass Media)
Education: B.A., Journalism (Marquette University)
Biography: Growing up in rural Wisconsin and finally making his way to the city, Carey initially attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison with an undecided major. He quickly realized Madison was not the environment for him so he transferred to Marquette University and started to pursue an accounting degree. Those ambitions did not last long once he worked an accounting internship. As his third year started, he knew he wanted to dig into journalism and secure a degree. Along with a bunch of retail work to keep the money coming, Carey also wrote as an entertainment reporter in Milwaukee and as an editorial aid at a teen magazine. Once he graduated from Marquette University, he kept in contact with his network and kept freelancing until he decided to head back to the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee for a Master's in Media Studies. While his career ambitions are always changing, he knows that he loves discussing and criticizing media (especially certain music scenes, movies and video games).
Leslie Peckham
Office: Johnston Hall 324
Phone: 414-229-3249
E-mail : lpeckham@uwm.edu
Course : JAMS 101 (Introduction to Mass Media)
Education : B.A., UWM, Film and Creative Writing
Biography: Leslie has lived in the Milwaukee area for the past eight years. While here, she obtained a degree in film, another in creative writing, and was on her way to completing a DAC certificate when she decided to move forward with grad school. She’s an intern for the Milwaukee AV Club chapter of The Onion, a member of the Urban Ecology Center, and an occasional contributor to the Green Living page of The Examiner. This year, in addition to becoming a TA for the JAMS 101 class, she plans to try out adventure cycling. She enjoys biking, reading, food, music, and movies.
Stephanie Perleberg
Office: JOH 324
Phone: 414-229-3249
Email: perlebe8@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 101 (Introduction to Mass Media)
Education: B.A., University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Organizational and Public Communication
Biography: Stephanie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where she studied Organizational and Public Communication. She developed an interest in women’s sports through her own athletic career as a middle school athlete turned nationally ranked steeplechase runner. Her interest in athletics and social media developed into a professional relationship with WomenTalkSports.com. As the Communication and Resource Manager at Women Talk Sports, she has been able to work directly with and interview influential members of the women’s sports industry. She has written articles that have appeared on the Women Talk Sports network, espnW, Images of Us (IOU) Sports, and Youth Runner Magazine. Stephanie’s research interest is, not surprisingly, women’s sports in the media. She enjoys free samples, activism for women in sports and in daily life, running, and her dog, Elwood.
Tatevik Sargsyan
Office: Johnston 324Phone: (414) 229-3249
E-mail: sargsyan@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 113 (Internet Culture)
Education: Diploma (5 year education) in English and Italian languages from Yerevan State Linguistic University, one year of non-degree study in International Studies/Italian Studies at Fairfield University, CT.
Biography: Tatevik comes from Yerevan, Armenia. Although she has a devoted interest in languages and linguistics and enjoyed a language teaching experience for about two and a half years, by mere chance her career took a different path in 2006 when she started working at a media development company. For three years Tatevik worked for Core Media Support Program for Armenia (CMSPA) as an Event Planner and later as the Training Department Manager. Tatevik never received formal training as a reporter, however, when CMSPA started producing “This Month” magazine in 2008, Tatevik began collecting bylines and publishing articles on the Armenian labor market and corruption in education and health care. Later on she was hired to do some reporting and writing for the quarterly magazine produced by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). In the last 8 months, before coming to the US, Tatevik worked as the Programs Manager for the Institute for Polling and Marketing (IPM) in Yerevan. Tatevik is anxious to learn more about media in the UWM academic setting and narrow down her research interests during her first semester. She believes that knowing what you want to do in life is a huge step and loving what you do is the key to success.
Whitnee Smith
Office: Johnston 337
Phone: (414) 229-1114
Email: wrsmith@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 214 (Advertising in American Society)
Education: B.A in Legal Studies (University of Wisconsin-Madison); B.A in Afro-American Studies with an emphasis in the Arts (University of Wisconsin-Madison); Women’s Studies Certificate
Biography: Whitnee is a native of Milwaukee. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in both Legal Studies and Afro-American Studies with an emphasis in the Arts. She also earned a certificate in Women’s Studies. Whitnee has worked with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras and has interned with Opera for the Young and WSUM Student Radio in Madison, Wisconsin. Aside from school, Whitnee enjoys reading, listening to music, and vacationing. While she has yet to narrow down her specific research interests, she is sure that they will include entertainment media, specifically music, media law or a combination of the two. She is sure that her courses this semester will assist her in narrowing down these topics for her thesis.
David Wooten
Office: Johnston Hall 324Phone: 414-229-3249
E-mail: drwooten@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 116 (Journalism, Documentary, and Democracy)
Education: B.A., UW-Parkside, Communication
Biography: David became a union electrician directly out of high school, but after suffering a permanent back injury, he came to academia. David began his college career at a community college and transferred to UW-Parkside in the fall of 2009. In addition to the communication major, David graduated summa cum laude with certificates in Media Literacy and Film Studies in spring 2011. In his undergraduate degree at UW-Parkside, he served as a research assistant in communication, a teacher’s assistant in Film Studies, and organized a film conference. David was also involved on campus serving as the president of two student organizations Lambda Pi Eta (communication honor society) and Parkside Association of Communicators (PAC). David was also elected president of the Parkside Communication Alumni Association (PCAA) in December of 2011. His eventual goal is to obtain a Ph.D. He would like to teach and research after school. His principle research interests are film studies, gender in the media, new media, and interpersonal communication. In his spare time, David plays guitar, writes and listens to music, works on his classic cars, and adds to an ever-expanding DVD collection.
Jing Zhao
Office: Johnson Hall 317
Phone: (414) 229-6308
Email: zhao5@uwm.edu
Course: JAMS 111 (Gender and the Media)
Education: B.A., Film and TV Studies (Beijing Normal University)
Biography: Jing hails from Beijing, and has a deep love for the vibrant and diverse culture of her hometown. With the typical personality of Beijing folks, she has a paradoxical disposition: funny yet quiet, passionate at heart yet shy and calm outwardly. Growing up amidst piles of movies and television shows, Jing has never stopped her infatuation with this splendid world of media. Jing’s zest for unveiling the field of media studies keeps impelling her to embark on her career as a media researcher. Dreaming of becoming a public scholar who can help promote the interests of the masses in Chinese media, she can’t wait to throw herself into academic inquiry.
Jing takes a keen interest in fandom in the era of media convergence, and is pursuing research on online public space, collective intelligence, participatory culture, and the social shaping of grassroots media and marginalized culture. Besides that, she considers herself an artist and is fond of pop music, indie filmmaking, slash fiction writing, and art photography.