Fluent in both English and Spanish, Haley Kashi studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain, in 2014 and completed an internship in Madrid, Spain, in 2016. She is now a graduate teaching assistant in the School of Communication Studies at Kent State. 

Haley excels in time management, organization, social media, public speaking and teamwork. She has learned valuable leadership skills at previous jobs and internships.

She is a proud member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society of National Communication Association and UNICEF KSU.

Maria (Xueying) Zhang is a postdoc scholar in the School of Communication Studies. She earned her Ph.D. from the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama. Her research focuses on health communication, examining how health-related perceptions, attitudes and behaviors (e.g.

Dr. Step’s academic interest is in understanding and improving health communication messaging associated with social and behavioral risks, such as tobacco use and HIV prevention.  She holds a doctorate in Communication Studies from Kent State University (1998) and completed postdoctoral training in cancer prevention and control at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (2008). Dr.

Research Area:

• Psychological Science - Social
• Psychological Science - Health

Research Interests:

I am a social psychologist and health psychologist, and my work is aimed at understanding how social psychological principles can explain and improve:

Nichole currently teaches courses in Health Communication, Relational Communication, and Foundations of Communication.  Her research interests include social support and health, health literacy, and spirituality/religiosity in health contexts.

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Publications

• Egbert, N. Daggs, J. L., & Reed, P. R. (in press). Students’ perceptions and misperceptions of the communication major: Opportunities and challenges of reputation.  Journal of the Association for Communication Administration.