Gaylord College Graduate Program

Dear alumni, students and family of students, today is the annual Giving Day!

Please join us in supporting all Ga***rd College does to prepare our undergraduates and graduate students for their next steps. A donation to the Student Experience Fund not only assists undergraduates, but it also supports graduate students in their conference and awards travel. Donate here: https://fast.givesooner.org/gaylord

🙌 Meet April's first 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐝 extraordinaire 𝐀𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐫, a Senior/4+1 Advertising student!

💬 “Whenever I mention that I moved 1,400 miles from my home in Auburn, Washington, to attend OU, people are quick to ask 𝙬𝙝𝙮. My answer is always the same: Ga***rd. While OU was not initially on my radar, I knew I wanted to go out of state to study advertising, combining my passions for design
and marketing. From my first visit to campus in 2022, it was clear that Norman was the place to do this. For the past five semesters, I’ve been fortunate to call Ga***rd home. As an advertising student, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from incredible faculty across disciplines and collaborate with talented students from a variety of majors. Through my involvement in Ad Club and NSAC, I’ve connected with like-minded peers while gaining valuable insight from guest speakers and industry professionals.
I am also a 4+1 student and began taking graduate-level courses this past semester. While the workload can be demanding at times, I’m excited to continue building on my passion for advertising and to work closely with faculty to create a meaningful project that benefits a real client. Overall, my
experience at Ga***rd has challenged me, inspired me, and confirmed that I am exactly where I am meant to be!!”

🖋️ Meet 𝐌𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧, on this 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐝 Monday! Muhammad is a first-year master's student in Public Relations/Crisis Communications.

💬 “Two years ago, I stumbled upon a social media post about a fellowship program at Ga***rd College of Journalism and Mass Communication, designed for South Asian entrepreneurs. Despite initial doubts, my better half encouraged me to take the leap and apply. Fast forward to 2024, I landed in
Oklahoma for a two-month fellowship that transformed my life. It made me realize my potential and sparked a desire to pursue a master's degree.
The thought of starting anew, leaving behind the comfort of familiarity, and navigating the financial uncertainties was daunting. I had to confront the fears that held me back, and it was scary. But something within me whispered, "𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚." So, at 34, I took a leap of faith
and applied, securing a scholarship and a spot in the prestigious Master's program at the Ga***rd college specializing in Crisis Comm and PR. I'm now thriving in my first semester, surrounded by the beauty of Norman's fall, witnessing the first snow and the magic of Christmas lights. This journey
has taught me the power of positive manifestation and the impact of stepping out of your comfort zone. Reflecting on this journey, I'm reminded that one moment, one decision, can change everything!”

Doctoral student Daniel Thompson and Associate Professor Dr. Melanie Wilderman's latest study "Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Self-Efficacy in the Journalism Classroom," was published March 23 in Journalism & Mass Communication Educator.

Congratulations!

Through interviews, their study explores how journalism students perceive AI’s impact on their education and their sense of self-efficacy.

You can read their findings here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10776958261428572

Big news 🎉

Ga***rd Assistant Professor Nate S. Fisher, Ph.D. has been elected Vice President of the Southwest Education Council for Journalism & Mass Communication (SWECJMC) for 2025–26 following the organization’s annual symposium at the University of New Mexico.

In this role, Dr. Fisher will help shape the future of journalism education across the region, including overseeing the annual academic paper competition. And this is just the beginning: he’ll step into the role of SWECJMC President in 2026–27 and help bring the symposium to Norman in fall 2027 👀

Congratulations, Dr. Fisher! Check out the full story at the 🔗: https://bit.ly/3Z6bV3c

One more fall defense to share:

Diana Gedye successfully completed her professional writing project and has earned her Master of Professional Writing Degree.

Congratulations, Diana!

Her committee included Professor Ralph Beliveau, Assistant Professor Tobi Ogundiran, and Associate Professor Melanie Wilderman, chair.

Congratulations to Ga***rd College’s Strategic Communication & Digital Strategy December graduates!

Safe travels back home!

Congratulations to Bhavana Reddymasu, who successfully defended her professional writing project.

Her committee included Assistant Professor Tobi Ogundiran, Committee Chair Dr. Melanie Wilderman, and instructor Hannah Herron and Visiting Professor Mel Odom.

The last week of fall classes is extra special when it's your last week of classes ever! Wishing Daniel Thompson (left) and Umer Bilal (center) luck as they prepare for their doctoral general exams in spring!

Congratulations to Ga***rd College instructor Traci Williams, who successfully defended her doctoral dissertation on Friday!

Dr. Williams' committee included Associate Professor Dr. Melanie Wilderman, Professor Dr. Rita Keresztesi, Professor Dr. Ralph Beliveau, and Professor Emerita Dr. Meta Carstarphen.