Our faculty are CEOs, CMOs and industry leaders from across the country who have contributed their expertise to help develop programs and courses. They bring their real marketing communications experience into your virtual classroom.
Kevin Beatty
Marketing Executive, B2B Technology Industry
Teaches DMC 673 Campaign Metrics and Assessment
Kevin Beatty is a versatile marketing leader with over 20 years of B2B and technology industry experience leading teams in Fortune 500 companies and small-to-medium businesses in the areas of marketing and brand strategy, product marketing and management, channel management, and training. His experience also includes international marketing and business development in over 20 countries.
Bob Bentz
President of Purplegator and Advanced Telecom Services
Teaches IMC 629 - Mobile Marketing
Bob Bentz is president of mobile-first marketing agency Purplegator. He also led Advanced Telecom Services from a start-up, with no outside financing, to $62.2 million in annual sales with offices in the USA, Canada, UK, Czech Republic, and Taiwan. He is the author of Relevance Raises Response: How to Engage and Acquire with Mobile Marketing.
JoAnn Catherine Burnett
Instructor and Web Marketing Consultant
Teaches IMC 642 - Web Metrics and SEO
In addition to serving as an online adjunct instructor teaching Web Metrics and Search Engine Optimization in the Digital Marketing Communications Program, JoAnn Burnett is a Business Instructor at WVU Keyser.
Kristen Buzan
Senior Marketing Manager
Teaches IMC 641 - Social Media and Marketing
Kristen Buzan spent over a decade at AT&T where she led the team responsible for the U-verse TV customer base with a focus on increasing revenue and reducing customer churn.
Christopher Caserta
Vice President of Business Development at U.S. Medical Management
Christopher Caserta is a strategy and marketing communications executive with over 20 years of experience within regional and national health systems and post-acute care organizations. Within the healthcare industry, he has led teams within corporate strategy, marketing communications, brand building, demand creation, relationship sales, and digital communications. Caserta received his Bachelor of Specialized Studies in Biomedical Science with a Psychology minor from Ohio University and his Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University.
Rita Colistra
Associate Professor of Public Relations
Teaches IMC 618 - PR Concepts and Strategy
Dr. Rita Colistra is an associate professor of public relations in the Reed College of Media. She returned to her home state in 2008, after earning her Ph.D. from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Roy H. Park Fellow. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Virginia University.
Patricia Cox
Principal Owner of A Few Good Marketers, LLC
Teaches IMC 613 Brand Equity Management
Patricia Cox is a digital marketing veteran who has played an active role in the establishment of today’s digital marketing ecosystem. Utilizing a ‘strategy-first‘ point of view accompanied by Cox’s experience led her to play key executive roles in developing digital, social and CRM business units for agencies servicing major national and international brands. As an esteemed client service professional, Cox has worked in almost every facet of traditional and digital marketing - from product development to retail--and across every consumer contact channel.
Stacey Creely
Public Relations Professional
Teaches IMC 610 - Introduction to IMC
Stacey Creely currently serves as director of public relations and assistant director
of admissions at The Linsly School, an independent, coeducational boarding and day
school for grades 5-12 in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Matthew Cummings
Manager, Public Relations & Social Media at Erie Insurance
Teaches IMC 610 - Introduction to IMC
Britt Davenport
President and Chief Executive of Brand Urbanity
Teaches DMC 665 Customer Engagement Strategies, IMC 636 - Campaigns (Provided-Client Case) and IMC 648 - Executive Comm and Leadership
Dr. Debra Brittain (Britt) Davenport is the president and chief executive of Brand Urbanity, a full-service branding and IMC firm with offices in Phoenix and Los Angeles. She has more than 30 years of experience as a senior PR, marketing, and branding executive.
Whitney Drake
Senior Manager of GM Brand & Story Bureau at General Motors
Teaches IMC 610 - Introduction to IMC
Whitney Drake has created compelling activations around some of the world’s largest events, including the Super Bowl, American Idol, SXSW and Warriors in Pink.
Sandra Ducoffe
Over 30 years of experience in higher education; research focused on communication effects in advertising
Teaches DMC 661 - Audience Research and Segmentation and IMC 612 - Audience Insight
Dr. Sandra Ducoffe has over 30 years of experience in higher education, teaching traditional and online courses at several colleges and universities, including: the University of Texas at Austin, Michigan State University, Fairfield University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Maryland University College, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Mark Fragale
Executive Producer at Rochester Institute of Technology
Teaches IMC 643 - Digital Video Production
Mark Fragale is an award-winning producer in college video production and has worked at Rochester Institute of Technology for the past 19 years. Previous to RIT, he worked in Los Angeles as a camera operator and director of photography in the film and television industry for over a decade.
Karen Freberg
Associate Professor, Author
Teaches IMC 618 - PR Concepts & Strategy and IMC 641 - Social Media and Marketing
2012 Alexia Vanides Online Teaching Award Recipient
Dr. Karen Freberg is a presenter, research consultant in social media and crisis communications
and author whose research has been published in several book chapters and
academic journals including
Public Relations Review and
Media Psychology Review.
Mitchell Friedman
Senior Lecturer
IMC 636 Campaigns (Provided Client)
Mitchell Friedman, EdD, APR develops people. Known as an enthusiastic, energetic, and insightful educator and consultant, he relishes opportunities to help others to develop their skills and abilities on the path to achieving their full potential.
Grace Gao
Extensive experience in the areas of assessment, research design, applied statistics and standard setting
Teaches IMC 611 - Marketing Research & Analysis
Dr. Grace Gao earned her Ph.D. in Educational Research and Evaluation from Ohio University and has a Master Degrees in Accounting and International Studies from Ohio University.
Joe Gura
Product Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, and Global Business Strategy Expert
Teaches IMC 629 - Mobile Marketing and IMC 640 - Introduction to Digital Marketing Communications
Joe Gura currently serves as worldwide marketing lead for Enhanced Solutions in Microsoft’s Support Solutions Group, helping organizations harvest the most potential from their technologies.
Bonnie Harris
IMC Consultant with more than 20 years of experience
Teaches IMC 636 - Campaigns (Provided-Client Case) and IMC 612 - Audience Insight
Bonnie Harris is the vice president of strategy for MedTech Momentum, an agency that provides integrated marketing communications services for clients in the medical device and healthcare industries. Prior to joining MedTech,
David Hazelton
Design Director for ProShares
Teaches IMC 610 - Introduction to IMC and IMC 621 - Current Topics in IMC
David Hazelton has over 30 years of professional experience in design, branding,
and marketing. As design director for ProShares, Hazelton is responsible for
brand consistency across all channels of the company’s marketing, advertising, and
corporate communications.
Justin Hoot
Director, Client Services at Someoddpilot
IMC 644– Digital Marketing Communications Campaigns
Justin Hoot is a seasoned and award-winning marketing executive, specializing in innovative brand, digital, and interactive experiences with lifestyle, music, and consumer brands.
Robert Krueger
Executive Communications Manager for Gensler
Teaches IMC 648 - Executive Comm and Leadership
Robert Krueger is the Executive Communications Manager for Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. In this firm-wide role, he works directly with the Co-CEOs to promote Gensler while developing strategic content and managing the external brand positioning of the Co-CEOs.
Melvin Landry
Marketing Services & Advertising Procurement Professional
Teaches IMC 613 - Brand Equity Management
Marketing procurement professional who has worked category management in marketing and advertising categories for over 15 years in an array of industries.
Lynne Leger
Senior Vice President, Goodwill Retail & Business Services
Teaches IMC 612 - Audience Insight and IMC 636 - IMC Campaigns (Provided-Client Case)
Lynne Leger has spent more than 25 years in leadership positions building campaigns for brands including Borders Books and Music, David’s Bridal, Build a Bear and Goodwill Industries.
Frank Marra
Professor and Practitioner in Rochester, New York
Teaches IMC 618 - PR Concepts and Strategy, IMC 628 - Applied Public Relations and IMC 631 - Crisis Communication
Frank Marra worked and studied for five years with Dr. Jim Grunig, the world’s leading scholar in public relations. He is a specialist in crisis management and developed the first theory of crisis public relations.
Vanessa Matthew
Brand Strategy Consultant
Teaches IMC 611 - Marketing Research and Analysis
Matthew has over 16 years of senior-level marketing experience, with professional roles as a development director, marketing director, and special events manager for nonprofits. She was also a senior market research analyst for Ketchum Public Relations. At this company she conducted market research for 70 client accounts, including: Fortune 500 companies such as PepsiCo NA, Keurig Dr Pepper, JP Morgan Chase, P&G, FedEx, and HPE, to name a few.
Kristin Meeks
Owner of WV Social Media Consultants
Teaches IMC 639 – Content Marketing
Kristin Meeks is a consultant that specializes in the integration of digital
and traditional marketing practices.
Beth Michalec
Assistant Professor of Corporate Communication, Penn State Lehigh Valley
Teaches IMC 611 - Marketing Research and Analysis
Dr. Beth E. Michalec is a West Virginia native and proud WVU alumna. She joined the College of Media’s faculty in Summer 2007 as an adjunct instructor and has taught multiple advertising and public relations courses online and on campus.
Jim Morrison
Adjunct Instructor, and Marketing Communications and Corporate & Community Event Planning Consultant
Teaches IMC 643 - Digital Video Production
Jim recently completed a 40-year career at American Greetings Corporation where he served as director of trade marketing and events.
Matthew Muetzel
Director of Digital and Marketing Operations at Aimmune Therapeutics
Teaches IMC 612 - Audience Insight
Muetzel is a versatile integrated marketing leader who brings a wide range of digital experiences from Fortune 500 companies across the pharmaceutical, medical device, and retail sectors. Currently, he leads US Digital Strategy and Marketing Operations for Aimmune Therapeutics – A Nestle Health Science Company.
Jad-Évangelo Nasser
Multicultural Strategist, Educator and Storyteller
Teaches IMC 645 Diversity and Inclusion in IMC
Jad-Évangelo Nasser was born and raised in Lebanon and has worked in the Middle East, North African, and North American markets. Nasser brings 8+ years of experience as a global and multicultural-focused media/communications professional with expertise in creative marketing strategies, client relationship management, and strategic communications with international agencies such as BBDO, Wunderman Thompson, McCann Worldgroup, TBWA\Chiat\Day, and Transperfect Translations.
Bill Nevin
Associate Vice President of Communications for the WVU Foundation
Teaches IMC 610 - Introduction to IMC
Bill Nevin is associate vice president of communications for the West Virginia University
Foundation, the private fundraising arm of West Virginia University.
Will Oechsler
Strategic Business Executive
Teaches
IMC 634 – Digital Storytelling
Will Oechsler is the senior vice president of U.S. operations for Our Daily Bread Ministries headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. In this role, he oversees all domestic publishing, media, marketing, strategic partnerships, outreach, and customer experiences. He also serves on the global executive team for this 75-year-old nonprofit that operates in 150 countries worldwide.
Kristi Hansen Onkka
Healthcare Marketing Consultant, Educator and Speaker
Teaches IMC 627 - Healthcare Marketing and IMC 646 - Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in IMC
An innovator of online digital experiences for both HCP and consumer/patient with more than 19 years of marketing experience.
Hugo Pérez
Chief Creative Strategist at Local Boy
Teaches IMC 693 - Influencer Marketing and IMC 634 - Digital Storytelling
As a seasoned professional storyteller, Hugo Pérez is an expert at finding the compelling thread in brand stories that makes consumer connections come to life. His own story weaves across institutions, corporations, agencies, and firms of all types, fueled by wide-ranging global experiences.
Nathan Pieratt
Award-Winning Designer and Creative Director
Teaches IMC 610 - Introduction to IMC and IMC 625 - Advanced Creative Concepts
Nathan Pieratt is an award-winning designer and creative director. He has over 15 years of industry experience developing creative strategy for Fortune 500 brands, such as Frito-Lays, Walmart, and AT&T.
William Pitzer
Illustrator, Designer and Writer
Teaches IMC 635 - Visual Information Design
William (Bill) Pitzer is an illustrator, designer and writer, specializing in creating compelling content for print and online media.
Geah Pressgrove
Associate Professor of Advertising and Public Relations, WVU Reed College of Media
Teaches IMC 610 - Introduction to IMC
Dr. Geah Pressgrove is an assistant professor at the Reed College of Media where she teaches introductory, skills and advanced courses in the advertising/public relations program. Pressgrove is also the faculty advisor for the award-winning WVU PRSSA chapter.
Veronica Purvis
Associate Executive Director at TREX Association Management Solutions for the Skin of Color Society (SOCS)
Teaches IMC 637 Internal Brand Communication
Veronica Holmes Purvis, MSM, CAE is an award-winning, strategic executive and brand leader as well as a speaker and author with over 20 years of experience leading staff and driving missions within member associations and non-profits.
Keith Quesenberry
Associate Professor of Marketing at Messiah University
Kellie Reinert
Growth Marketing Lead & Lifecycle Strategist
Kellie Reinert joins WVU with twelve years of professional experience specializing in buyer behavior, content management and lifecycle marketing strategies. She is currently the growth marketing lead at Totango, a customer success SaaS platform. Reinert oversees revenue-funnel initiatives in this role, including marketing automation and lead nurturing, audience segmentation and data analysis.
Stacie Rivera
Public Relations Professional with more than 20 years’ experience
Teaches IMC 627 - Healthcare Marketing
Stacie M. Rivera joins the West Virginia University College of Media Online Programs instructor faculty as an accredited public relations professional with more than 20 years’ experience in health care communications.
Archie Sader
Former Partner in a Global Advertising Agency
Lead Instructor, IMC 636 - IMC Campaigns (Selected-Client Case)
Archie Sader is a former partner in a global advertising agency, clients included NFL Properties, Business Week, Standard and Poor's, NBA Properties and other leading firms in sports marketing, financial services and publishing.
Jason Sargus
Business Strategist, Coach and Online Instructor
Teaches IMC 633 - Entrepreneurship in IMC
Jason Sargus has nearly two decades of business ownership, entrepreneurship and professional combat sport coaching and management experience. As the founder of the Brazen Sports Agency and Brazen Boxing & MMA, Sargus has helped guide the careers of elite level professional athletes in boxing and mixed martial arts. Some current and former notable athletes under his guidance include Paul Felder (UFC), Matt Frevola (UFC), Eddie Gordon (UFC), Gabriel Rosado (boxing World Title Contender) and Jason Sosa (Super Feather Weight World Champion boxer).
Laura Shea
Chief Marketing Officer, Humboldt General Hospital
Teaches IMC 613 - Brand Equity Management
Laura Shea is a senior-level executive with nearly 20 years of experience leading healthcare marketing, communications and planning initiatives at small community hospitals.
Larry M. Stultz
Operated Design and Advertising Firms in New Orleans and Atlanta
Teaches IMC 615 - Creative Strategy & Execution
Dr. Larry Stultz has been on the IMC faculty since 2007. He served as department chair for the Bachelor of Arts in Advertising program at The Art Institute of Atlanta, where he taught courses in conceptual thinking and campaign development for twenty years.
Bob Sukys
Founder and Director of BrandMine
Teaches IMC 636 - Campaigns (Provided-Client Case)
Mark Tietbohl
Mentor and Consultant
Teaches IMC 642 - Web Metrics & SEO and IMC 634 - Digital Storytelling
Neelesh Varde
Global Product Manager at Roquette
Teaches DMC 663 - Brand Data Collection and Visualization and IMC 623 - Global Brand Communication
Dr. Neelesh Varde is a Global Product Manager at Roquette and an adjunct instructor for both the WVU IMC and Data Marketing Communications programs. He is the developer and current instructor of the IMC Global Brand Communication Course and the DMC Data Visualization course.
Ryan Wagner
Manager of Customer Narrative at John Deere
Teaches IMC 610 Introduction to IMC
Ryan Wagner is an experienced media development, storytelling and marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience in broadcast, public relations, marketing, social/digital media, management and leadership. He is passionate about pushing the envelope, storytelling, team leadership and development. Wagner prides himself on doing whatever it takes to create stories that engage and connect with consumers at all levels of the customer journey. This strategy and connection is what fuels his passion.
Patrick Warner
Marketing Professional with more than 15 years experience
Teaches IMC 622 - Multicultural Marketing
Patrick Warner has worked in marketing since 2003, and has spent over seven years
at The Nielsen Company, a global leader in market research.
Deidre West
Agency Account Director, Events and Experiences at Quintessentially
Teaches IMC 624 - Cause Marketing and IMC 613 - Brand Equity Management
Deidre West has been recognized as one of BizBash’s Most Influential Event Professionals in the country. For more than 15 years, she has planned a wide range of high-profile events in major cities across the nation for the music and entertainment, publishing, and nonprofit industries.
Kathryn S. Wilson
Over 25 Years of Experience in the Healthcare Industry
Teaches IMC 639 Content Marketing
Kathryn Wilson has over 25 years of experience in health insurance and post-acute care. Her experience includes leadership roles such as the following: corporate compliance officer, human resources director, corporate communications director, customer services director and staff development director.