Advisory Board

The Department of Communication maintains an active advisory board consisting of alumni, external industry professionals, and a current student who serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.

The board will meet annually to discuss departmental and institutional business and will work in subcommittee outside of the general meeting to execute objectives essential to the department’s operation, in addition to serving in consultation during ad hoc periods of support.

The advisory board has been organized to support the department’s observance of ACEJMC accreditation standards.

The charge of the committee is to:

  • Provide counsel on current industry practice that informs curriculum and student media operations.
  • To foster a stronger connection with our alumni.
  • To better serve the evolving needs of today’s college student.
  • To support internship development, student networking, and professional development.
  • To identify and support fundraising and resource acquisition that enhances program quality for students.

Advisory Board Members

Lantz Croft

Operations Manager
WBRC FOX6 News
Birmingham, AL

Buffy Lockette, APR

Manager of Associate Communications
Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc.

Thomas Ashworth

Sports Reporter
AL.com

Megan Roberts

News Director
WRCB TV

Maree Jones

Social Media Strategist
Birmingham, Alabama

Jordan Smith

Senior Interactive Producer
Warner Media, Turner Sports/NCAA Digital

Sydney Jones-Wright

Director of Academic Affairs Communications
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Howard Thomas

Consultant, Noble Deeds Communications

John Davenport

Creative Production Designer- VO Talent- Iheartradio National Production team
Production Director- Iheart Media
Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery, Alabama

Steve Goodman

Director, MSNBC/NBC News
New York, New York

Dianna Michaels

Vice President of Business Development & Global Accounts
GRBVU, Inc.

Madeline Ricard

Student Ex-Officio