Ric Edelman College of Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences

Jessica Mack (History) recently published a new research article in the journal Hispanic American Historical Review titled “From Ejido to Ciudad Universitaria: Expropriation and Citizenship in Postrevolutionary Mexico.” Building on original research in Mexico’s agrarian archive, her research shows how the governmental seizing of privately owned property amidst construction of the national public university's campus led to physical and political displacement of rural and farming communities with longstanding consequences.

Read the article: https://read.dukeupress.edu/hahr/article/106/2/279/406460/From-Ejido-to-Ciudad-Universitaria-Expropriation?guestAccessKey=1d89f9d1-0ec1-48fc-96b3-5ec8199b57a8

Congratulations to Carla Rae Richards (Public Relations and Advertising), who has recently been awarded a Research Assistance Grant from the Urban Communication Association for her project titled: “The Billboard and the Bus Stop: Communicating Religion via Advertising in Urban vs. Rural Highway Environments.”

Ben Dworkin, Director of the Rowan Institute of Public Policy and Citizenship (RIPPAC) was recently quoted in two articles for Yahoo and NJ.com. In the Yahoo.com article, Dworkin speaks to how deepfakes and AI generated images can compromise elected officials' political advertisements. For NJ.com, Dworkin comments on the gas-tax conversation in Trenton.

NJ.com article: https://www.nj.com/politics/2026/05/why-nj-seems-unlikely-to-suspend-its-gas-tax-despite-trump-mikies-world.html

Yahoo.com article: https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/campaign-mailer-house-race-spawns-110257664.html?guccounter=1

John Shjarback (Law and Justice Studies) recently published an essay with The Conversation. His essay, "How community groups activists and local media turned Camden, New Jersey, into a model of police reform" covers how community members and activist groups impacted - and continue to impact - the reform progress wthin the Camden County Police Department.

Read the essay here: https://theconversation.com/how-community-groups-activists-and-local-media-turned-camden-new-jersey-into-a-model-of-police-reform-282835

Earlier this spring, the Department of Communication Studies hosted its third annual Public Speaking Week! The week highlighted the importance of public speaking in academic and professional spaces while fostering connection, confidence, and collaboration within the Rowan community. Students had the opportunity to hear from industry professionals and scholars while celebrating communication as an essential tool for advocacy, leadership, and personal growth. On top of programs and presentations from industry professionals, scholars, and faculty, eight students tested their public speaking skills during a contest where speeches centered around sustainability and persuasive speaking. Congratulations to the following students on their presentations!

- Fatima Akin, “Restricting the Building/Operation of AI Data Centers in New Jersey.”
- Bidhya Bhlon, “Is Thrifting really sustainable?”
- Destiny Figuereo, “Active Listening as Social Sustainability.”
- Brisa Ghimire, “The Comfort Crisis.”
- Blanca Rivera, “The Solution to Microplastic Pollution: Gilbert.”
- Birdy Smith-Fields, “A Satire on Sustainability.”
- Victoria Tyran, “Water Pollution.”
- Moonique Williamson, “From Closet to Crisis: The Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion.”

Students in the History of Camden course, taught by Dr. Chanelle Rose, created a website for the Institute for the Development of Education in the Arts (IDEA) Center in Camden!

For 30 years, the Center has transcended traditional arts education for youth in Camden. This spring, Dr. Chanelle Rose taught the History of Camden, a service-learning course. Students examined historical, cultural, and political origins of the city’s post-World War II “urban crisis” to understand Camden's previous and current problems, and how Camden's citizens seek to address them while advocating for social justice, thriving communities, and a vibrant culture. The collaboration primarily focused on an oral history approach, interviewing people associated with the Center in a podcast style, and creating a designated archive destination for completed episodes.

Check out the website here! : https://ideacamdenproject.rowandh.org/s/home/page/welcome

Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Blaylock, assistant professor in the Department of Radio, Television & Film! Dr. Blaylock recently received a John Hope Franklin Research Center Travel Grant to visit Duke University's David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library for her research project entitled “Ghanavision: Ayi Kwei Armah’s Work in Television in the 1960s.”

Carrots, Cucumbers, and Potatoes...oh my! Faculty and staff from the Ric Edelman College supported Rowan University's Fresh for All community produce distribution this morning. Over 250 families were served!

Congratulations to Mikkel Dack (History), who recently published an article for the Journal of Austrian-American History! His article, ""Improvised Liberation: Allied Planning for the Denazification and Democratization of Austria,"" examines Allied army strategies to de-radicalize and reorient former N***s after WWII.

Read the article: https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/psup/austrian-american-history/article/10/1-2/114/409620/Improvised-Liberation-Allied-Planning-for-the

Congratulations to Shane Donnelly (History), who recently presented at the 17th Annual McNeil Center Undergraduate Research Workshop of Pennsylvania! His paper "Public Apotheosis: Black and White Historical Icons in Philadelphia" explores Philadelphia's cultural landscapes and the African American community's efforts to document their past.