School of Communication and Journalism welcomes new faculty

The South Dakota State University School of Communication and Journalism will welcome two new faculty hires beginning fall 2024. 

Hyesoo Chang will join the school as an assistant professor of advertising. Chang is currently a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Advertising at the University of Florida, where she completed her Ph.D. in 2023.  

Two themes broadly characterize her research: 1) how people psychologically process strategic communication and advertisements and 2) how emotions help behavior changes. Chang will teach advertising principles, research and planning and digital promotions. She will also support students enrolled in the Master of Mass Communication program. 

“I am excited to move to South Dakota and join the School of Communication and Journalism at South Dakota State University,” Chang said. “I look forward to contributing my experiences (both research and teaching experiences) to students and the department.” 

Erica Summerfield will join the school as an assistant professor of agricultural communication. Summerfield is completing her Ph.D. in agricultural communication, education and leadership at The Ohio State University. 

Her research focuses on the intersections of agricultural and communication education. She will teach digital promotions, public relations writing and science writing. In addition, she will assist with curricular revisions and develop new courses in agricultural communication. 

“I am excited to become a part of the SDSU family and the Brookings community,” Summerfield said. “I am most excited about connecting with students and helping them find their passion for agriculture and communication. The School of Communication and Journalism felt like home from the first moment I stepped on campus. I am excited to work with the faculty and staff in the School of Communication and Journalism and look forward to building upon the great foundation they have built for our agricultural communication students.” 

This is a new faculty position within the School of Communication and Journalism that is part of strategic efforts to enhance and grow the Bachelor of Science program in agricultural education, communication and leadership - communication specialization, a collaborative academic program with the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. 

In recent years, the School of Communication and Journalism has hired other experts in the communication and journalism fields. 

Shola Aromona joined the School of Communication and Journalism in fall 2023. She completed her Ph.D. in journalism and mass communication with a focus on political public relations from the University of Kansas. 

Her research focuses on political public relations, digital information evaluation, social media and misinformation, feminist media and digital social advocacy. Aromona teaches public relations principles, social media strategies, data analysis and social media management. 

Hayden Barber joined the School of Communication and Journalism in fall 2022. Barber earned a Ph.D. in communication from Purdue University. 

His research focuses on the construction and perception of emotion in messages and its impact on social inferences. Barber teaches business and professional communication, argumentation and debate, communication theory and organizational communication. 

“The School of Communication and Journalism’s newest faculty members will enhance our research capabilities and strengthen our curriculum offerings,” said Josh Westwick, director of the School of Communication and Journalism. “Our new faculty will become part of a dedicated team of scholars and practitioners who are committed to the development of exemplary communicators as industry leaders, scholars, professionals, entrepreneurs and educators through innovative curricula, research, practice and opportunities.” 

Check out the variety of professional and academic opportunities available in the School of Communication and Journalism.