Dr. Stephen Marshall
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week
There are some faculty members who say they always knew they would be teachers. And, there are others, like Dr. Stephen Marshall, who didn’t foresee a career in academics.
Marshall, after completing his bachelor’s degree in telecommunication production from the University of Florida and working professionally for companies like Nielsen over the span of six years, had plans to work in the field of audience research and to establish his own firm. He went back to graduate school with those professional goals in mind, and it was during that time he had the opportunity to do some teaching.
“And I loved it,” Marshall said. “I even had professors tell me that I had a gift for teaching, which, at the time, came as a surprise to me.”
After receiving his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Florida, he joined the ETSU faculty in 2006.
Today, he is an award-winning teacher, having received the Donald G. Hileman “Educator of the Year” award from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) District 7 in 2013.
And, last summer, he became chair of the newly formed Department of Mass Communication, which grew from the former Department of Communication. He oversees the university’s programs in advertising/public relations, journalism, and radio, television, video and film (RTVF).
“As chair, I get to work with students, our faculty and staff, and the administration of the university and be part of a visionary process of taking something that is already good and make it bigger and even greater,” Marshall said. “One of the greatest strengths of our program is that we place emphasis on project-based learning and offer our students real-world experiences that serve the campus and the community.”
These real-world learning opportunities have already brought significant recognition to ETSU. An interactive digital publication created by students in the mass communication and digital media programs brought home the “Student Best of Show” award from the American Advertising Federation of Northeast Tennessee, and also won a regional Addy award. The publication, called EVOXE, highlights the many arts programs at ETSU. In June, EVOXE will compete at a national competition.
And, earlier this month, students in mass communication and digital media collaborated on a project that won third place at the National Student Advertising Competition in Knoxville.
Marshall himself has stayed active in the advertising industry. He works with The Creative Energy Group, located in Johnson City, and actively works with such clients as Coca-Cola. He has also held executive board positions with local organizations, including the American Advertising Federation of Northeast Tennessee, the Johnson City Sports Foundation and Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival.
“I have watched how the digital marketing field has moved like lightning, and I want to stay current in the industry and share these experiences and lessons with my students. Staying active professionally is essential and benefits my students as well as my department,” he said.
Marshall is an interdisciplinary collaborator who also worked with ETSU’s College of Business and Technology to establish a master of science degree program in digital marketing, which started in fall 2014. He maintains an active role in the Accelerated Master of Business Administration (AMBA) program, as well. He thinks collaboration is key to success.
“Media impacts all fields and disciplines. I’m interested in any collaboration that activates student learning and helps illustrate the amazing things happening at East Tennessee State University.”