Faculty
DR. SAMUEL O. OSUNDE
Chair, Department of Mass Communication
Dr. Samuel O. Osunde received his Ph.D. In Mass Communication from Howard University Washington D.C. Dr. Osunde has more than 28 years of professional, academic and administrative experience. From 1986 to 1989 he served as the Special Assistant to the President for special projects at Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While in Baton Rouge Dr. Osunde served as the Creative Director/ Senior Copywriter for Partnership Advertising and Ampoule Advertising Companies. He has produced numerous copywriting for advertisements, publicity packets for release to television, radio, and newspapers, has created visualized concepts for product advertising and serves as advertising consultant to mass media companies throughout the United States, Europe and Africa.
Dr. Osunde’s research interests include “The Role of Mass Media in Perception Influence,” “Media Effects Theory,” “Intercultural/International Communication” and “Mass Communication Development”
Professional memberships include Mississippi Communication Association, National Communication Association, Speech Communication Association and the American Communication Association,
Dr. Osunde is the recipient of many academic and professional awards that include “President's Scholar, Chancellor's Scholar Teaching Fellow and the Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement.
FACULTY AND STAFF
BARBARA BAYMON
Barbara Baymon holds a B.A. degree in Speech Communication from Mississippi Valley State University and an M.A. degree in Speech Communication and Theater Arts from Arkansas State University.
Ms. Baymon teaches a variety of speech courses in the Department of Communication and is also the Director of Theater. She is the Coordinator for the Speech Communication major.
Every semester, Ms. Baymon directs one or more productions that feature MVSU students and is performed on campus and on the road. Her duties also include serving on various departmental and university committees.
Ms. Baymon is also active in her community. She is an Alderwoman for Isola and President of Humphrey County Hospital Board of Directors.
Her memberships include Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mississippi Theater Association, Mississippi Communication Association, International Communication Association, and Southern Conference on Afro-American Studies, Inc.
EMMETT MCCLARY
Mr. McClary holds a B.S. in Mass Communication from Jackson State University and a Master of Journalism from the University of Mississippi.
He teaches journalism and mass communication courses in the Department of Mass Communication. He is also the faculty adviser for the Delta Devils Gazette and the Coordinator for the Journalism emphasis.
In journalism, Mr. McClary has held numerous positions and has extensive professional experience. He was a freelance magazine reporter, a reporter for New Albany gazette, and content editor for the Daily Mississippian Online. He has also worked in advertising and marketing.
Outside journalism, Mr. McClary's main interests are in music, both in composition and performance, plus creative writing, including script writing, short fiction and lyrics.
VIKKI SPANN
Vikki Spann holds a B.A. degree in Speech Communication from Mississippi Valley State University and an M.A. degree in Speech Communication from Arkansas State University. Ms. Spann is currently working on her Ph. D. in Communication Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi.
She is responsible for teaching a variety of speech communication courses in the Department of Mass Communication. Ms. Spann has worked as a Disaster Recovery employee for FEMA, where her research helped improve the Joint Information Center personnel's skills in communication,
Among Ms. Spann's many research interests are intercultural, crisis, and health communication. She is a member of the National Communication Association, Mississippi Communication Association, and Southern States Communication Association.
ESIN C. TURK
Born in Turkey, Dr. Esin C. Turk received her B.S. degree in Public Relations from Ankara University, Turkey, M.A. in Public Relations from Syracuse University, and Ph.D. in Communication from University of Southern Mississippi.
She has been teaching Communication and Public Relations courses for 30 years, and does public relations consulting. Her research interests include intercultural and international public relations, public relations ethics, gender communication, and crisis communication. Additionally, she is the Coordinator of Public Relations emphasis, Coordinator of Accreditation Self-Study and SACS Self-Study, and Coordinator of Internship.
Dr. Turk's professional memberships include National Communication Association, Southern States Communication Association, Mississippi Communication Association, and American Communication Association. She holds several offices in these professional organizations.
Dr. Turk has been honored by Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Who's Who in the World, and Who's Who in America. She received the Outstanding Service Learning Faculty Award from MVSU in 2004.
WANDA YOUNG
Wanda Young holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mass Communications from Jackson State University, with emphases in journalism and public relations, respectively.
Mrs. Young is in her 30th year of employment at MVSU. Currently she is the Coordinator of Public Broadcasting at the campus radio station, WVSD 91.7, and teaches mass communication courses in the Department of Mass Communication 50 percent of her time.
Prior to coming to MVSU, she served as Public Affairs Director and reporter for WABG-TV, Greenwood, Miss.
Mrs. Young is member of several community organizations, including the Greenwood Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Leflore County American Red Cross Board, the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
BARBARA GOSA
Barbara Gosa holds a B.A. degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in broadcasting from Mississippi Valley State University. Ms Gosa received her Master's degree in Advertising/Public Relations at The New York Institute of Technology.
Ms. Gosa has been the general manager of WVSD-Channel 19 TV at MVSU since 2002. She is also instructor of mass communication. Her duties include supervising campus TV studio, assisting students with their production assignments, equipment training/operation and handling of all studio equipment. She also provides video and programming for the local cable access channel as well as the campus TV studio, supervises all studio and field productions and teaches broadcasting and public relations courses.
DARWIN CANNON
Darwin Cannon has a B.A. degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Broadcasting from Mississippi Valley State University. He received his master's degree in mass communication at New York Institute of Technology in the summer of 2010.
Mr. Cannon is one of the two programmers/announcers for the campus radio station, WVSD 91.7FM.
LARISSA WRIGHT
Larissa Wright holds a B.S. degree in Public Administration and M.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Mississippi Valley State University.
Currently she is the Administrative Assistant in the Department of Mass Communication. Ms. Wright has held several different positions in sales and customer service prior to joining the department.