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.
Joe Barnes
Full-time Faculty at the Albers School of Business and Economics
2014 Alexia Vanides Teaching Award Recipient
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.
Melissa Boatwright
Director of Sales Insights for Europe and Latin American at LinkedIn
Teaches IMC 610 - Introduction to IMC (DINFOS cohort) and IMC 618 - PR Concepts and Strategy
Melissa Boatwright is the Director of Sales Insights for Europe and Latin American at LinkedIn. She leads a team of data storytellers who use data aggregated from the 700+ million LinkedIn members to help companies improve their talent, sales, learning or marketing strategies.
Lee Boggs
Mass Media Professional
Lee Boggs has worked in mass media since 1990, including news, public relations/marketing and digital communications.
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.
Robin Cobbey
President of a full service marketing research firm specializing in communications, new technology and consumer products
Teaches IMC 611 - Marketing Research & Analysis
Dr. Robin Cobbey holds a B.A. in Anthropology and M.A. in Journalism from Ohio State University. Her doctorate is in Mass Communications with a minor in Marketing from Syracuse University, where she held the John Ben Snow Research Assistantship in the Communications Research Center at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Jocelyn Coley
CEO and Co-Founder of The Allen Lewis Agency, a full-service marketing and communications firm
Teaches IMC 645 - Diversity and Inclusion in IMC
In May 2015, Jocelyn K. Coley (née Allen) embarked on what she calls “Jocelyn3.0”, partnering with best friend Chandra S. Lewis to launch The Allen Lewis Agency (TALA), a full-service marketing and communications firm. As CEO, Coley puts her creative skills and passion for connecting individuals, brands and businesses to use daily for clients big and small.
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.
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.
Duane E. Dub
Former Global Senior Marketing Manager in IMC at IBM
Teaches IMC 611 - Marketing Research and Analysis
With a long career in management, leadership and strategic marketing applications, direct marketing, database, advertising and public relations, Duane Dub brings deep knowledge and expertise to every business challenge and teaching opportunity.
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.
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 founder of Wax Marketing, Inc. an integrated marketing agency based in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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.
Joseph Jaffe
Author, Entrepreneur, Consultant and Thought Leader on marketing, innovation and change
Teaches IMC 649 - Brand Evolution Strategy
Joseph Jaffe is a multiple author, serial entrepreneur and one of the most sought-after consultants, speakers and thought leaders on marketing, innovation and change.
Susan K. Jones
Tenured Professor of Marketing at Ferris State University and the principal of Susan K. Jones & Associates
Teaches IMC 616 - Direct and Digital Marketing and DMC 665 - Customer Engagement Ethics and Strategies
William T. Jones
Entrepreneur and Innovator who consults on product development, industrial process improvement, sales and marketing
Teaches IMC 617 - Consumer Sales Promotion and IMC 626 - B2B Direct Marketing
William T. (Bill) Jones brings value to his students, consulting clients and customers
through his combination of skills and experience in sales, sales management, engineering,
product development, team building and innovation.
Adrienne King
Vice President for University Marketing and Communications at the University of Toledo
Teaches IMC 647 - Higher Education Marketing
Dr. Adrienne King joined The University of Toledo as associate vice president of marketing and communications in January 2019 and was promoted to Vice President for University Marketing and Communications in 2021.
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
SVP, Centerstone Executive Search & Consulting
Teaches IMC 612 - Audience Insight and IMC 636 - IMC Campaigns (Provided-Client Case)
Lynne Leger has more than 25 years of experience in the retail, package goods and entertainment sectors.
David W. Marold
Former Marketing and Sales Executive
Teaches IMC 636 – Campaigns (Provided-Client Case)
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.
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
James Ramos
Adjunct Associate Professor at The Graduate School at University of Maryland University College
Teaches IMC 614 - Media Analysis
Dr. James Ramos has more than 14 years of experience teaching consumer behavior, marketing management and ethics, and a long career in advertising for companies like Louis Vuitton, Benetton and NBC.
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.
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.
Philip R. Sturm
Professor of Brand Management Courses for 15+ years
Teaches IMC 613 - Brand Equity Management
Dr. Philip Sturm has been teaching graduate-level brand management courses at three universities for the past +15 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.
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
Director of Special Events and Celebrity Relations for Children's Health Fund
Teaches IMC 624 - Cause Marketing and IMC 613 - Brand Equity Management
Deidre West's experience in event planning includes a wide range from luncheons, dinner and conferences to high-profile events for celebrities and professional athletes, product launches, consumer brands in fashion, food and beverages industries, galas, retail stores, and a hotel grand reopening.