Graduate Students
Learn more about the current master's students in the Department of Communication at Saint Louis University.
Bright Herman Agbewu
I join the MA in Communication program following a 15-year career with a private lottery company, where I rose through the ranks to serve as a sector manager for five years. Since graduating from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, in 2018 with a BA in Film Studies and minors in Classics and Philosophy, I have balanced my corporate leadership with a dedicated creative and humanitarian practice. I am an actor, a published poet, a freelance documentary filmmaker, and the co-founder and media officer at the LIFELOT ACE FOUNDATION, where we focus on rural community development.
In my graduate studies, I intend to explore how media advocacy, public health storytelling, and environmental transformation can dismantle systemic inequalities. Through my coursework, I hope to investigate how diverse and culturally grounded populations interpret, negotiate, and legitimize public health information, aiming to design tailored communication campaigns that resonate across Africa and beyond. My goal is to ground non-fiction filmmaking in strategic theory, creating human-centered narratives that bridge health and environmental divides. Looking forward, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. to prepare for a lifelong career teaching and mentoring in a university setting, while continuing to produce impactful documentary films that advance global health equity.
Solange Akakpo
Solange Akakpo is a master’s student in Communication at Saint Louis University, where she also serves as a research assistant in the Department of Communication. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Cape Coast.
Her professional background spans journalism, public relations, and advertising. She has served as a television transmission and production coordinator at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, where her outstanding contributions were recognized with the Best National Service TV Coordinator of the Year Award.
Building on her experience, Solange took on the role of communications manager at Vicakpo Hotel, where she restructured the communications department to strengthen brand visibility and extend the organization’s reach.
Her research interests lies in strategic communication, with a particular focus on how social media platforms can serve as strategic tools for organizational development.
Widely recognized as proactive, hardworking, dedicated, and personable, Solange combines her strong work ethic with a strategic mindset to achieve meaningful results.
Grayson Arnold
Grayson Arnold is a master’s student in SLU’s Department of Communication and a graduate writing consultant for SLU’s University Writing Services. They received their B.A. in Communication with a minor in English from Tulane University in 2024, and previously worked as a research assistant in Tulane’s Discrimination, Disparities, and Data Lab.
At SLU, Grayson continues to study discrimination as well as contemporary political rhetoric, particularly as it pertains to transgender and disability studies. In the future, they intend to enroll in a Ph.D. program and become a professor and researcher.
Daniel Bernas
Daniel Bernas is a master’s student in SLU’s Department of Communication. He graduated from SLU with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing with a minor in Communication and currently works in the university’s Office of Admission as an admission counselor.
During his time as a SLU student, Daniel was heavily involved in the campus’ newspaper, The University News, and radio station, KSLU. These experiences have led him to an interest in media and rhetorical studies, which he is eager to explore through the Communications program.
Garrett Dohlke
Garrett Dohlke is a communication master’s student at SLU and also works as a residence hall coordinator within the Department of Housing and Residence Life at SLU. Garrett received his B.A. in Sports Communication and a minor in Public Relations from Webster University in 2023. Garrett is passionate about forensics (speech and debate) and has academic research interests in: public relations/strategic communications, rhetoric, forensics, public discourse, and the intersection between sports and politics.
Lisiane Faria
Lisiane Faria is a master’s student in Communication at Saint Louis University. The first in her family to earn a university degree, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Communication, with specializations in Crisis Communication and Public Speaking. Her professional background includes corporate marketing and aviation, a field in which she experienced how discursive authority affects human behavior in intercultural and high-risk contexts. Her interests include intercultural communication, rhetoric, social justice, and public responsibility. She seeks to investigate the social responsibility of communication, misinformation, and how communication practices and strategies influence trust, collective action, and politics in democratic societies. Outside university, she enjoys traveling and getting to know new places, cultures, and people.
Priyanka Ghosh
Priyanka Ghosh is a graduate teaching assistant and master's student in communication at Saint Louis University. Her research focuses on health communication, with a particular interest in mental health. She has authored one publication and presented a conference paper on communication-related topics.
Priyanka holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and Journalism from Khulna University. Before joining Saint Louis University, she worked as a desk reporter and copywriter. In addition to her academic and professional work, Priyanka served as promotions manager and public relations officer for sustainability-focused clubs, where she led outreach and awareness campaigns.
Sofia Gonzalez
Sofia Gonzalez is a Master of Arts student in Communications at Saint Louis University and serves as a graduate research assistant in the Department of Communication. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Communication from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2024. Her research interests include intercultural communication, global media strategies, and the use of narrative to promote cross-cultural understanding.
Sofia has undertaken internships with the World Affairs Council of St. Louis and Spanish company, Lázzaro, where she contributed to programming, media production, and public engagement efforts. She aspires to pursue a career in corporate communications and is also interested in teaching at the university level in the future.
Lawson Hickman
Lawson Hickman is a master’s student in SLU’s Department of Communication. She graduated from SLU with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with a concentration in Integrated Strategic Communication and a minor in Visual Communication. She currently works full-time at SLU’s School of Education as an administrative assistant.
Her experiences in strategic communication, social media, and marketing have shaped her interest in how communication connects organizations with their audiences. Through the graduate program, she is excited to continue developing her skills and exploring the field of communication. Outside of work and school, Lawson loves traveling, spending time outdoors, and being at the beach whenever she gets the chance!
Megan Huey
Megan Huey is a graduate student currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Communication. She graduated from Saint Louis University in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, specializing in Journalism and Media Studies, and a minor in Marketing. She is also a full-time staff member at SLU, working as an administrative and communications associate in the School of Education.
Megan’s interests include strategic communication and helping the St. Louis community thrive. In her free time, you can find Megan listening to a podcast, doing Pilates or trying new spots around St. Louis.
She is excited to continue developing her communication skills through graduate study and build on her professional experience in strategic communication, particularly in ways that support local organizations and create meaningful community impact.
Brandee Hunter
Brandee is a master’s student in Communication and a professional assistant for the Collaborative for Humanistic Inquiry. She graduated from SLU with her B.A. in Communication and a minor in Environmental Science.
Her research interests include intercultural communication, science communication, community-focused initiatives, and Indigenous perspectives. Brandee is interested in how communication can help address the issues island communities face, particularly in her home, Saipan, CNMI. She has previously worked with St. Louis Public Radio and the Division of Coastal Resources Management, where she gained experience in outreach and working with local communities and stakeholders.
Jack Johnston
Jack Johnston is a master's student in SLU's Department of Communication. He is a 2022 graduate from the SLU College of Arts & Sciences, double majoring in Communication and International Studies and minoring in Spanish. Jack currently works in the SLU Office of Alumni Engagement as Program Director for Student & Young Alumni Programs.
Jack is interested in media and pop culture studies, including subcultures, movements, the cultural industry, and international media. Outside of work and study, Jack loves exploring St. Louis, going to dive bars with friends, and watching (and analyzing!) reality television.
Noah Jones
Noah Jones is a communication master’s student and the Career Services marketing coordinator at Saint Louis University. He received a B.S. in communications with a concentration in advertising and strategic media, alongside a minor in psychology, from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in December 2021.
Noah is interested in current population and subpopulation trends, focusing on group perspectives and how they are influenced by media, classifications, law, and rhetoric. He hopes this work will supplement his marketing role by providing further insight into authoritative influence and is eager to contribute to the field of communication.
Emmanuela Kinda
Emmanuela Kinda is a master's student in communications at Saint Louis University and a graduate assistant. She earned her B.A. in Mass Communication from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, focusing on broadcast journalism.
Emma has experience working with Caris Foundation International and Aiducation International, contributing to multi-media content creation. She is passionate about leveraging communications to drive social change.
Sam Link
Sam is a graduate student in the Department of Communication, while working full time as an administrative assistant in the Saint Louis University School of Education. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in communication from Saint Louis University. She is interested in how humans work together, mental health resources and accessibility, and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially in today’s political climate. Although she is unsure of where her future career path will take her, she knows it will involve helping others flourish, a psychology term that has stuck with her since her first year of college.
Dzifa Makafui
Dzifa Makafui is a master’s student in Communication at Saint Louis University and a teaching assistant in the Department of Communication. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, where she focused on journalism.
Dzifa has gained practical experience in media production, digital content creation, and project management, leading teams and producing impactful content across TV, digital, and print. One of her career highlights was producing Mayhem, a podcast that became a finalist for Best Podcast in Africa.
She is also a published author, having written a crime fiction novel, and is currently working on her second book; a 365-day memoir titled “This Was Not the Plan.”
Her passion lies in telling stories that connect with people, especially through media production and digital storytelling. She’s particularly interested in how visuals and narratives can shape perspectives. Looking ahead, she plans to further her studies in production and directing, with the goal of creating media projects that resonate on a global scale.
Ngoc Bich (Nobi) Nguyen
Nobi is a graduate student in communication and graduate teaching assistant teaching public speaking courses at Saint Louis University. Her research is situated at the intersection of interpersonal and family communication, examining how people communicate to connect, coordinate, and navigate unique relationship experiences. Her goal is to bring these unique experiences to light, helping society appreciate the beautiful and diverse ways that couples and families build their lives together. Her recent research was awarded third prize at Saint Louis University Graduate Research Symposium. She is now serving as a Graduate Student Association Representative for the Department of Communication.
She earned her B.A. in Business Administration from University of Economics HCMC in Vietnam. In her free time, she enjoys crafting a variety of beverages, and her current favorite is salted maple latte. She also loves traveling and exploring new cultures. She is passionate about connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and understanding their lived experiences.
Susan Onuorji
Susan Onuorji is a first-year M.A. student in the Department of Communication. She earned her B.A degree in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in her home country.
Prior to SLU, Susan worked for several years in marketing, public relations and digital communications role in diverse sectors, including media, nonprofits, health and tech. A major highlight of her work was spearheading the online relaunch of Right to Protein Nigeria, an international health awareness campaign supported by the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC), which significantly increased public awareness about protein intake in daily diets, particularly among children and pregnant women in Nigeria.
Susan has now returned to academia to focus on exploring strategic communication in public health care. Her research interests include integrated strategic communication, digital health communication, health campaigns and interventions, online health consumers, and behavioral change.
Publications:
Onuorji, S. C. (2024). Content Analysis of TikTok Videos by Selected Nigerian Healthcare Professionals. The Nigerian Journal of Communication, 20(1), 83 – 104.
Tanjid Rahman
Tanjid Rahman is a master’s student in communication at Saint Louis University and a graduate assistant. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism from Khulna University, Bangladesh, where his research focused on political communication and social media.
Tanjid has authored and co-authored academic publications, presented research at national forums, and worked as a copywriter. He has also served as a public relations secretary for a civic organization, managed national and international photography exhibitions, and provided instruction in photography. His interests include political communication and digital media effects, and he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in the future.
Noah Apprill-Sokol
Noah is a master’s student and teaching assistant in the department. They received an undergraduate degree in sociology from Gonzaga University but were introduced to communication studies while working at the university’s student newspaper.
Noah sees studying communication as valuable for developing the tools needed to build solidarity and create social change. Returning to their hometown of St. Louis, they hope to integrate their education into community work. Noah believes this program will help them become a more active participant in making their town feel like a home for all.