Christine Lemesianou
Associate Director of the School of Communication and Media
Christine is a teacher, scholar, and program coordinator of the Basic Communication General Education program at Montclair State University. Working from a critical paradigm, Christine uses communication, media, and social geography theories to examine how individuals, corporations, the media, and varied publics engage communication strategies and impact how we construct public dialogue and public life. Of particular interest is the rise of the “network” society and the role that emerging media will continue to play in these power games.
Thomas Franklin
Associate Professor of Multimedia Journalism; Co-director of the Summer Workshop
Thomas E. Franklin is an Assistant Professor in Multiplatform Journalism, bringing a wealth of journalism experience to his teaching after nearly 30-years as an award winning news photographer and video journalist. For the past 23-years he worked for The Record and the newspaper’s website Northjersey.com covering a wide range of assignments, including 9/11, hurricane disasters, Presidential inaugurations, the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the NBA and NHL Finals. His work has been recognized by national organizations such as Picture of the Year International, National Press Photographers Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Tara George
Associate Professor of Local Journalism
Professor George has worked as a reporter in Singapore, London, New York and New Jersey. She began her career as a newspaper journalist and has evolved with the times, telling stories across platforms. Her work has appeared in The New York Daily News, where she was a staff writer, The New York Times, New Jersey Monthly magazine and NJTV. At Montclair State, she is adviser to the independent student news organization, The Montclarion, and is working with the students to steer the paper to a digital-first approach to news.
Steve McCarthy
News & Video Production
Steve McCarthy is an Emmy Award winning Network Television News producer with 30 years of experience. He was a staff producer on programs such as “60 Minutes” and “Dateline” before starting McCarthy Productions, Inc in 2001. His clients include CBS News, NBC News, MSBC, CNBC, Charlie Rose, Dan Rather Reports and others, including corporations and trade associations. Since joining Montclair State University as Professional Staff, McCarthy has been executive producer of 5 webcasts on subjects including Bullying, The Arab Spring and 9/11. He has taken students to Bermuda, Tunisia, Austria, Italy and Jordan on reporting and documentary projects.
Anabella Poland
General Manager of WMSC Radio
Anabella Poland is the General Manager of WMSC-FM. Before joining Montclair State University, she was the Director of Talent & Industry Relations at SiriusXM Radio, where she negotiated and managed interviews, events and performances with A-level Hollywood actors, celebrities and musicians for more than 135 SiriusXM channels. Prior to joining SiriusXM, she was a Segment Producer at ABC News Good Morning America where she booked and produced breaking news, cultural stories, entertainment and the summer concert series. Ms. Poland brings to MSU a unique combination of extensive experience in broadcast journalism, content development, programming, music discovery and production, social media, film and professional contacts that span the globe.
Mark Effron
Professor of Journalism
Mark Effron is a professor of Journalism, TV and Digital Media at Montclair State University, and coordinator of the News Lab in the School of Communication and Media. Before joining Montclair State, Mark was a veteran news executive, holding top positions at such companies as MSNBC, The Washington Post television stations, New York Public Radio, and Tribune Media. What Mark loves most about being at Montclair ia working with committed and passionate students. Mark lives with his wife Anne in West Orange. They have two grown children.
Vernard Gantt
Adjunct Professor of Journalism and TV Production
Mark Effron is a professor of Journalism, TV and Digital Media at Montclair State University, and coordinator of the News Lab in the School of Communication and Media. Before joining Montclair State, Mark was a veteran news executive, holding top positions at such companies as MSNBC, The Washington Post television stations, New York Public Radio, and Tribune Media. What Mark loves most about being at Montclair ia working with committed and passionate students. Mark lives with his wife Anne in West Orange. They have two grown children.
Kelly Whiteside
Assistant Professor of Sports Media and Journalism
Kelly Whiteside, an assistant professor of Sports Media and Journalism at Montclair State, brings her experience as a sports journalist into the classroom, focusing on critical issues in sport and their impact on society. At USA Today, she was the lead Olympics writer, World Cup soccer writer and the national college football writer. Prior to USA Today, she was a reporter at Newsday and a staff writer at Sports Illustrated. She is also a contributor to the New York Times.
Keith Strudler
Director of the School of Communication and Media
Keither Strudler was the founder and director of the Marist College Center for Sports Communication and associate professor of communication, Strudler will lead a range of groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary communication, television and digital media programs – including production and sound, filmmaking, journalism, public and organizational relations, and health communication. The Montclair State University School of Communication and Media provides students with the hands-on tools, focused coursework, instruction and internships needed to succeed in the communication and media industries. The School moved into a new cutting-edge facility this fall.