Allman, Roger W  ([email protected])

Roger “Buddy” Allman has been involved in media and the arts for most of his life. In addition to teaching at GVSU, he is a composer who has written music for films, television, promotions, and radio, and has composed for clients such as CBS, Stan Lee Productions, Viacom, and Discovery Networks.

He has also worked in film and television, both in front of and behind the camera, and spent nearly two decades as an audiovisual technician. He is co-owner of an internet radio station and one of the hosts of the film review podcast “Two Geeks and a G.I.T.” He serves as Vice Chairman of the Gender and Sexuality division of the Broadcast Education Association. His thesis was on intertextuality in animation.

His fields of study include film history, theory, and criticism, mythology, feminist film theory, body image in media, story creation/ analysis, storytelling, gaming, the Latin language, semiotics, broadcasting, rhetoric, and writing.

Awards and honors include the GVSU Pew Teaching Excellence Award (2018), winner of the BEA Gender Issues Division Open Paper Competition (2012), featured presenter at the Borrego Springs Film Festival (2018-2020), and first place in the CMU English Dept. Essay Composition Contest (2007).

Bennett, Brittany A ([email protected]) (LinkedIn) 

Brittany Bennett is an Adjunct Professor at Grand Valley State University’s School of Communications in Allendale, MI. She equips students with communication skills and a global outlook, encouraging relationship-building. She teaches Concepts of Communication, Speech, and Nonverbal Communication. 

An alumna of Grand Valley State University with a B.S. in Health Communications, she is recognized for her expertise in the pharmaceutical, wellness, and legal fields. She holds a dual master’s in legal studies and dispute resolution from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and the Straus Institute and is a Supreme Court-approved mediator for the State of Michigan.
Outside the classroom, she runs a private mediation and conflict coaching practice. She volunteers as a mediator and serves on the Michigan Horse Council board, leading its Legislative Committee, and as MI Delegate for the American Horse Council.

Her family is her purpose. She is a mom to twin teenagers and their dog, Scout. Together, they enjoy horseback riding, golf, hiking, and searching for the best sticks.

Betts, Kathryn T ([email protected]) (LinkedIn)

With more than 25 years of experience in integrated marketing and communications, Kate Betts has built her career developing strategies that connect organizations with their audiences in meaningful ways.

For the past two decades, she has specialized in the design and construction industries, where she leads comprehensive communication strategies and manages an in-house creative team responsible for writing, visual design, social media, branding, advertising, video production, and website management.

A proud GVSU graduate, Kate has also served as adjunct faculty at Grand Valley State University for more than 20 years. Go Lakers!

Bulson, Tim (LinkedIn) 

Tim Bulson is a Senior Part Time Faculty Member in the School of Communications. His career highlights include reporting, media relations and healthcare communications, university teaching, project coordinating, and strategic advising to healthcare leadership.
 
He is an alumnus of Grand Valley State University with an MA in Communications. Along with his pragmatic public relations experience, Tim has skills in focused written, electronic and verbal communications; communication-focused research and data application; and a deeply empathetic approach to education.
 
Outside the classroom, Tim served 12 years as President of the Grand Valley State University Alumni Association Board of Directors, several years on the CLAS Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board, and on several state committees related to multi-disciplinary disaster planning and response.
 
He is a Grand Rapids native who discovered a passion for journalism and writing while completing his BS degree at Aquinas College and working as a Grand Rapids Press freelancer. His reporting connections eventually lead to a move into healthcare public relations and administration.

Byars, Ann

Ann Byars holds both bachelor's and master’s degrees in communication from Grand Valley State University. She has taught Communications for 28 years, first for Grand Valley State and then for Ferris State University. In her professorship, Ann has taught over 12,000 students.

She also served as a live-on-air communications consultant for WOOD-TV 8 News in Grand Rapids, and has facilitated multiple communication workshops for local businesses and student groups. She has acted as a ghostwriter, content creator, and brand consultant for both individuals and small businesses.

Ann is now a training director for the government, a Notary Public and is certified as a ceremonial minister.

Ann has two grown daughters, both of whom are college graduates, building their careers in Chicago, IL. Ann spends several weekends a year visiting them in the Windy City.

Donakowski, Preston R ([email protected])

Preston Donakowski is an award-winning former journalist who now serves as a high school teacher and adjunct faculty member in the School of Communications.

With a passion for storytelling and media, Preston has transformed the Falcon News Network at East Kentwood High School from a small class of 12 students into a thriving program attracting over 100 applicants. Under his guidance, students produce a weekly news broadcast, create engaging podcasts, manage a live online radio station, and are preparing to launch their own news website. Preston’s dedication to hands-on learning has helped his students excel in the field, earning three Michigan Student Emmy Awards and a Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) award.

A multiple MAB award winner himself, Preston brings real-world experience and a commitment to excellence to both his high school and college teaching roles, inspiring the next generation of communicators.

Elliott-Mosley, Samantha (LinkedIn)

Professor Elliott-Mosley (M.S., Grand Valley State University, 2020) teaches courses in communication concepts and public speaking and has worked in nonprofit communications for over 10 years. Her professional work informs her teaching, allowing her to integrate real-world communication strategies with academic theory.

Her academic interests include visual rhetoric, semiotic studies, social media and digital identity, language and thought, and the relationship between culture and communication. She is particularly interested in how meaning is created and interpreted across visual, verbal, and digital contexts, and how communication shapes individual and collective understanding.

Fopma, Chad M ([email protected]) (LinkedIn)

Chad Fopma is a passionate educator that brings a host of real-world experiences to his classes. He has worked in several cable and television outlets in the West Michigan area, where he gained extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the broadcast industry.

After several years of teaching in the Grand Rapids Public School System, he completed his master’s degree and began teaching at Grand Valley State University where he has been teaching for over a decade. Throughout all these various professional and educational endeavors, Chad has also engaged in freelance consulting for a variety of local small businesses and charities.

Outside of his work, Chad lives in Lowell with his wife, kids, and two of the very best dogs ever. He regularly works on a variety of never-ending home improvement projects and is slowly but surely mastering his woodworking and metalworking skills.

Gengle, Olha ([email protected]) (LinkedIn)

Olha Gengle is a seasoned professional journalist from Mariupol, Ukraine. Numerous pieces of her work have been published by Priazovsky Worker, the largest newspaper in Mariupol, a city with a population of 450,000 citizens. She worked in Mariupol for the newspaper as a journalist, reporter, photojournalist, and manager. Olha was selected as the best young journalist in Mariupol at the age of 22. 

She holds two master’s degrees, a Master of Science in Communications from Grand Valley State University and a master’s in journalism from Mariupol State University, Ukraine. Olha moved to the United States in 2015 and proudly became a U.S. citizen. After graduating from GVSU in 2019, she was hired as an adjunct professor in the School of Communications, where she has taught hundreds of students during her tenure.

She is dedicated to teaching and providing an informative and thought-provoking international learning experience for her students. She loves collaborating with her Journalism and Communication pupils and is always excited about their success. In her spare time, Olha loves to travel internationally, experiencing other cultures. This she finds strengthens her teaching skills. If you see Olha on campus, stop by and say hello!

Hebread, Dana ([email protected]) (LinkedIn)

Dana Hebreard is a faculty member in the School of Communication at Grand Valley State University, where she teaches COM 295: Communication Theory.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Dana grew up in Chicago and Miami before attending Indiana University Bloomington, where she earned undergraduate degrees in journalism and communication. Her passion for student development led her to pursue a master’s degree in College Student Affairs and Leadership, followed by a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. Her 2010 dissertation, "Opt Out: Women with Children Leaving Mid-Level Student Affairs Positions," examined the career decision-making process through the lens of social cognitive career theory.

At GVSU, Dana also serves as Assistant Director of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Center for Experiential Learning, where she partners with faculty, employers, and community organizations to create high-impact opportunities such as the Laker Accelerated Talent Link and Community-Based Work Study. She brings extensive leadership experience from prior roles at Calvin University and Aquinas College, where she guided advising programs, experiential learning initiatives, and career services.

An active member of NACADA and AHRM, Dana also serves on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore. She lives in Grand Rapids with her partner, Michael, their three sons, and their puggle, Penny.

Johnson, Matt ([email protected])

Matt Johnson joined the GVSU School of Communications as part of the Ad/PR faculty as an adjunct professor in the fall of 2024. Johnson teaches public relations courses on a semester-by-semester basis.

Johnson works full time in the public relations field as a media relations specialist with Consumers Energy and previously worked in marketing/communications for the American Heart Association. He is inspired by his passion to bring his real-world experience to GVSU's highly engaged students and loves any chance he gets to be on campus and is grateful for such a welcoming GVSU community.

Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri in 2005. He worked his way into management at various TV stations, including WWMT in Kalamazoo, where he was news director from 2018-2022. 

Johnson is a Minnesota native and is proud to call West Michigan home. He resides in the Grand Rapids area with his two children.

Jones, Shannon (LinkedIn)

Shannon Jones is an adjunct instructor in the School of Communications, primarily teaching CAP105. She has been working in media and public relations for more than 20 years. A member of Bay Mills Indian Community, Jones is also the editor of Bay Mills News, and has worked for BMIC since 2004. She has several accolades to her name, including the Richard LaCourse Award for Investigative Journalism. She holds degrees from Lake Superior State University, Central Michigan University, and Southern New Hampshire University.  

Kukkonen, Stacey ([email protected]) (LinkedIn)

Stacey Kukkonen is a marketing and communications strategist with more than a decade of experience leading campaigns, publications, and events for professional associations. Additionally, she worked in print journalism as a newspaper reporter for a decade.

In addition to her marketing career, Stacey is an adjunct faculty in the School of Communications at Grand Valley State University, where she teaches communication research. She combines her academic training with industry expertise to prepare students for success in today’s fast-changing communication landscape.

Stacey holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA in marketing from Central Michigan University (Fire Up, Chips!).

Porter, Steph ([email protected]) (LinkedIn)

Stephanie (Steph) Porter is an adjunct professor of Public Relations in the School of Communications at Grand Valley State University. She teaches a Fundamentals of PR course focused on strategic communications, media relations, and the evolving role of public relations in the modern world and beyond.

Porter brings more than 13 years of experience leading communications for some of North America’s most recognizable brands, including Walmart, Harley-Davidson, New Balance, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons, Timex and SpartanNash. Her expertise spans corporate, consumer, and nonprofit sectors, with a proven track record of building campaigns that drive both media impact and measurable business results.

In 2025, she launched ink&iron PR, a boutique public relations agency based in Grand Rapids, Mich. The firm is built around two guiding principles: ink, representing bold storytelling and creativity; and iron, representing breakthrough strategy and grit. Through this venture, she partners with national and West Michigan–based organizations to elevate their stories and strengthen community connection.

Passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of PR professionals, Porter integrates real-world case studies and hands-on learning into her teaching. She is also an active volunteer and mom of two, balancing family life with her entrepreneurial and academic roles.

Precious, Dana ([email protected]) (LinkedIn)

After graduating MSU many years ago, Dana Precious headed for Los Angeles. There, her career took her into advertising and marketing.

She became a senior creative advertising executive at major film studios for the majority of her career. Her last job before coming home to her beloved Michigan was as the Head of Global Marketing at Marvel Film Studios.

Dana currently lives in Muskegon with her dog and son.

Raymo, Bre’onna (LinkedIn)

Bre'onna Raymo teaches CAP 305, Sports Promotions. She is currently the Director of Group Sales for the Grand Rapids Griffins & the Grand Rapids Rise, and has been with the Griffins organization since 2016.

Bre'onna started her journey at Grand Valley in the fall of 2013 and after stumbling through a couple of majors, she graduated in 2017 with a degree in Communications Studies and a minor in Hospitality and Events. While in college, Bre’onna dove headfirst into the sports and entertainment world. In 2016 she was chosen to work at the NCAA Final Four, and in 2017 led a group of GV students to work Superbowl LI.

During that time, she also interned with the DeltaPlex, Toledo Mudhens, and twice with the Grand Rapids Griffins. In her tenure with the Griffins, she consistently ranked as one of the top 3 sales reps in the American Hockey League. To Bre'Onna, the best part of her job is being part of a Grand Rapids community staple, and playing a role in creating memories.

Bre’onna is a West Michigan transplant, originally from southeast Michigan. She quite literally grew up in a kitchen: her family has owned an Italian restaurant for 60 years. She has a Dachshund named Hazel and loves Tim Hortons. 

Tower, Phil (LinkedIn)

A leader in West Michigan broadcasting, Phil Tower has been on the air for over 40 years, including 18 years as director of news and programming at iHeartRadio Grand Rapids-WOOD AM/FM radio.

In his current role, Tower serves as WYCE Community Radio station manager, where he oversees daily operations, and leads fund development efforts and community outreach.
 
In addition to his work with WYCE, Phil operates GrandCast Media, a full-service podcast consultancy, and has provided strategic guidance and production services for numerous brands, including iHeartMedia, Premiere Networks, Guiding Light, WOOD TV, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Holland Home, and others.