Department of Communication Faculty

Our faculty seek to make a difference professionally, academically, and spiritually in the lives of our students. Our professors have a broad range of experience and backgrounds. Their primary motivation is to be in the classroom with their students or in a lab working on real-world projects. Students are encouraged to visit professors in their offices or even contact them at home. Faculty members are ready to be friends and mentors and to build relationships that students will value for a lifetime.

See what degrees you can earn when you learn from these professors.


Nancy Semotiuk, Ph.D

Chair, Strategic Communication 

(509) 527-2843

nancy.semotiuk@wallawalla.edu

 

Education

  • MA Journalism – Norwich University, 1992
  • BA Mass Communication – Walla Walla College, 1979
  • PhD Humanities and Culture ­– Union Institute and University, 2019
  • Certificate in Creative Writing – Union Institute and University, 2019

Experience

  • Walla Walla University Communications Faculty, 1997-present
  • Communications Department Chair, 2004-2012
  • Marketing Coordinator, Dept. of Printing Services, Univ. of Alberta, 7 years

Other

Special Awards/Recognitions

  • Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1996
  • Numerous publications among regional and national magazines

Linda Potter Crumley, Ph.D

Communication 

(509) 527-2520

linda.crumley@wallawalla.edu

Education

  • Ph.D University of Texas | Communication Studies

Experience

  • Southern Adventist University | School of Journalism and Communication
  • Olympic College, Shelton WA

Research/Interests

  • Interpersonal Relationships
  • Narrative
  • Relationships with God

Lynelle Ellis, Ph.D

Center for Cinema, Religion, and Worldview

(509) 527-2843

lynelle.ellis@wallawalla.edu

Education

  • PhD Communication -Regent University, 2019
  • MA Communication in Ministry- Spring Arbor University, 2009
  • BA Communication- Walla Walla College, 1990

Experience

  • WWU Communication Faculty, 2015-present
  • Assistant Professor, Journalism and Communication, Southern Adventist University 2009-2015
  • Adjunct Professor, Communication Department, Walla Walla University 2007-2009
  • Station Manager, Blue Mountain Television, College Place, WA 1990-1997, 1999-2005

Jerry Hartman

Film, TV and Media

(509) 527-2300

jerry.hartman@wallawalla.edu

Education

  • MFA Digital Cinema -National University, 2008

  • BA Mass Communication -Walla Walla College, 1998

Experience

  • WWU Communication Faculty, 2007-present

  • Peace Corps Volunteer, 2 years

  • WWC Director of Recruiting, 2 years

  • Production Manager

  • Blue Mountain Television

Other

Special Awards/Recognitions

  •  "Indigenous Suriname" a community directed documentary was a collaboration project between Eclectic Reel (a company owned by my wife and I) and the Organization of Indigenous People's in Suriname (OIS) helped OIS win $10,000 from the United Nations Caribbean Population Awards.


Staff

Matthew Webster

Productions & Facilities Coordinator

(509) 527-2688

matthew.webster@wallawalla.edu

Education

  • MA Cinema, Religion, & Worldview – Walla Walla University, 2021
  • BS Film Production – Southern Adventist University, 2016

Experience

  • Assistant Communications Director, Hawaii Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2020-2021
  • Visual Arts Director, Hawaiian Mission Academy, 2016-2021

Interests

  • Powerful storytelling through filmmaking
  • Reaching audiences that need to be reached
  • Bay Area sports

Other

Special Awards/Recognitions

  • National Yearbook Program of Excellence, Hawaiian Mission Academy, Jostens Publishing, 2021
  • National Yearbook Program of Excellence, Hawaiian Mission Academy, Jostens Publishing, 2020
  • Film Festival Selection, MA Capstone Project "Dreamer," Orlando Film Festival, 2020
  • Best Hawaii High School Film Production Finalist, Hawaiian Mission Academy, Sony Corporation & O'lelo Community Media, 2018
  • Best High School Film Production, Hawaiian Mission Academy, SonScreen Film Festival, 2018
  • Best Dramatic Short Finalist, BS Capstone Project "Mary & Montgomery," SonScreen Film Festival, 2016

Kiersten Ekkens

Administrative Assistant

(509) 527-2832

kiersten.ekkens@wallawalla.edu

Education

  • BS Strategic Communication – Walla Walla University, 2022

Experience

  • Social Media, College Place Village Church
  • Content Writer, Coeur d'Alene Magazine
  • Social Media, SonBridge Center for Better Living

Interests

  • Communication
  • Journaling
  • Research
  • Sports coaching
  • Sports psychology