MAKING OUR MARK
Faculty Grants, Editorships, and Recognitions
David Bulla, Ph.D.
Interim Chair, Department of Communication
Debra van Tuyll, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Communication
The Southeastern Review of Journalism History has a new
name and new leadership. Previously known as The Atlanta
Review of Journalism History when it was housed at Georgia
State, the journal moved to its new home in Augusta
University’s Department of Communication last year. Dr.
Debra van Tuyll, Professor of Communication, is the new
editor-in-chief, with Dr. David Bulla, the interim chair of the
Department, serving as managing editor. The first edition
of the journal under its new name was published in Spring
2018.
The journal features scholarship by faculty and students,
both at the graduate and undergraduate level. Van Tuyll
wants to provide the opportunity for undergraduates to get
their work published and hopes this inspires others to publish
undergraduate work as well.
Students will also work on the journal to develop their skills
and abilities, while learning how publishing works and how
to work in a team. With this knowledge and experience, new
career paths will be available to them.
Van Tuyll says “along with publishing experience, students
will be able to use this journal in their portfolio. This shows
future employers their work and their skills.” She believes that
being part of the staff and having this portfolio gives students a
leg up over their competition in the job market.
Will Hatcher, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of the Master of Public Administration program, Department of Social Sciences
Dr. Will Hatcher, Director of the Master of Public
Administration program in the Department of Social Sciences,
is the newly appointed co-editor of the Journal of Public Affairs
Education, considered the flagship journal for Network of Schools
of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
NASPAA is the accrediting body for public administration
programs, and “focuses on the cutting-edge empirical
research, looks at instruction methods, how public affairs
programs are managed, how they’re administrated, how
you recruit students, how you make sure you have a diverse
student body, and how to ensure that your students have
opportunities to be exposed to different ideas and different
types of folks.” Hatcher said, “The Journal of Public Affairs
Education looks at ways to take research on that and turn it into
practice.”
Augusta University’s Master of Public Administration
program is one of only 60 percent of programs in the country
that are accredited. Hatcher is pleased to be a part of the JPAE and
have it at Augusta University because it highlights for employers
and potential students that the College’s MPA program
provides the highest quality training in public administration.
JPAE also provides further resources and information
that ensures students are receiving the tools they need to
succeed.
The Journal has published one edition so far since it moved to
Augusta, and it has already dramatically increased its submission
rate, going from 40 submissions to 65. The editors are currently
working on a symposium on women in public administration
focusing on some of the institutional barriers and institutional
discrimination that still exists that keep women out of those
key positions. They are also working to broaden the Journal’s
coverage to appeal to an international audience.
Edgar Johnson, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Communication
We are Pamplin Proud of Dr. Edgar Johnson of the
Department of Communication for being selected as a
Governor’s Teaching Fellow for the 2018-2019 Academic Year.
The Program provides faculty the opportunity to enhance
their teaching skills through six three-day programs of
28 | #WeArePamplin · Fall 2018
structured instructional and professional development
activities. Participants are nominated by the University,
on the basis of their experience, interest in instructional
innovation, and ability to make a positive impact on their own
campus.