Media Expert Directory

The faculty of Salem College are nationally recognized in their fields. They are knowledgeable in topics that are relevant in today's media and to contemporary culture. To speak with one of our experts, contact Jennifer Handy at 336/721-2831 or jennifer.handy@salem.edu. Head shots are also available.

Melissa Barrett
Athletic Director
Topics: Women's athletics

Dr. Joanne Black
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Studies
Topics: Criminal justice, criminal law, criminal procedure, Title IX

Dr. Kimya Dennis
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Topics: Criminology, criminal justice, criminal studies, race and ethnic relations, suicide and self-harming behaviors

Dr. Carol Reese Dykers
Associate Professor of Communication
Topics: Communication research methods, journalism and media, survey research, journalistic research, interviewing and story-telling, multimedia/ documentary processes, oral history, ethnographic observation (including photography and videography) and focus-group interviewing.

Heidi Echols
Associate Professor of Dance
Topics: Dance, Salem's general education program, interdisciplinary seminars

Dr. Jon Epstein
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Sociology
Topics: Rock and popular music, adolescent behaviors, substance abuse and mass media

Dr. David Foley
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Topics: International politics, international security, international political economics and American foreign policy

Alyson Francisco
Kimbrough Professor of Business and Economics; Director of the Center for Women in Business
Topics: Women in business, business issues, professional skills development

Dr. Karen Hixson
Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Topics: Wellness, exercise

Dr. Mary Jacobsen
Professor/Chair of the Department of Psychology
Topics: High intelligence, giftedness (children and adults), leadership effectiveness, predicting effective leadership, successful parenting, identifying top talent in global organizations, career planning to match interests and personality traits, clinical psychology issues

Dr. Ana León-Tavora
Assistant Professor of Modern Languages
Topics: European literature and art, Spanish, Spain.

Barbara Lister-Sink
Professor of Piano; Director of the School of Music
Topics: Injury-preventative keyboard technique, classical piano, arts and music administration and education

Dr. Jack LoCicero
Director of Counseling Services
Topics: Complicated grief (related to suicide, homicide or accidental death), impact of grief on family

Ron Montaquila
Executive in Residence, Teacher Education and Graduate Studies
Topics: K-12 education/teaching/school administration/testing/school discipline

Anne Morris
Adjunct Professor of Education
Topics: School counseling and related topics, women pursuing nontraditional programs of study, programs encouraging students to pursue STEM careers, career and technical education—students pursuing nontraditional career pathways, career and educational development

Dr. Susan Pauly
President of Salem Academy and College
Topics: Women’s/single-sex education, women’s progress/place in society, leadership issues, history of Salem Academy and College

Dr. Jennifer Piscopo
Assistant Professor of Public Policy
Topics: U.S. 2012 elections; Latin American politics; women in public office (United States or Latin America)—women and campaigns, women running for office, gender discrimination in politics, etc.; women and public policy (United States or Latin America)—reproductive rights policy and healthcare policy

Rev. Dr. Amy Rio-Anderson
Chaplain and Professor of Religion
Topics: Religion and spirituality, women and religion/spirituality, women in the church

Dr. Darlene Rodriguez
Professor/Director of Arts Management and Not-for-Profit Management Programs
Topics: Nonprofit management (strategic planning, board governance, assessment, volunteer management, legal issues, ethics), philanthropy and resource development (grant writing, annual campaigns, planned giving, special events, e-philanthropy, prospect research, donor data management, stewardship of gifts), civic engagement/ political participation, immigration policy, social welfare policy, Latinos/Latinas, educational pipeline initiatives in kindergarten through post-secondary education; Spanish speaker

Claudia Schaefer
Adjunct Professor of Not-for-Profit Management
Topics: Nonprofit management, governance, online fundraising and marketing

Dr. Megan Silbert
Assistant Professor of Economics
Topics: Economics (in general), risk, economic shocks, labor economics and macroeconomic policy

Suzanne Williams
Dean of the Martha H. Fleer Center for Adult Education
Topics: Adult education/continuing education

Dr. Elroi Windsor
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Topics: Transgender, surgical body modification, cosmetic surgery, gender identity disorder, gender inequality, sexuality and LGBTQ studies.