UNC Hussman welcomes 4 new thought leaders in research and industry to the faculty

The UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media welcomes four distinguished new faculty members this academic year — adding to the school’s depth of scholarly and professional expertise in strategic growth areas.

Shaun Anderson joins the school as its new Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media. Esther Campi becomes a professor of the practice in public relations. UNC Hussman Ph.D. alumna Meredith D. Clark returns as an associate professor of race and political communication. And Rebecca Fish begins as a professor of the practice in health communication and marketing.

The appointments became effective July 1, 2024. 

“Our UNC Hussman community of thought leaders in research and industry grows yet stronger with the addition of Shaun Anderson, Esther Campi, Meredith Clark and Rebecca Fish to the faculty,” said Raul Reis, dean of the school. “Our school’s tradition of blending accomplished professionals and leading scholars endures as we evolve to meet the needs of our students and the opportunities that emerge in a rapidly changing media environment.”

Shaun Anderson

Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media

Anderson joins UNC from Loyola Marymount University, where he served as department chair and associate professor of communication studies. He brings expertise in sport communication; corporate social responsibility; and the intersection of race, culture and athletics.

As Knight Chair, Anderson will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, develop the school’s sports communication curriculum and lead initiatives examining sports, race and media. He will build industry relationships, identify student internships and serve as a mentor to Carolina's future media leaders.

Anderson earned his Ph.D. in Sport Communication from West Virginia University. His research focuses on activism, strategic communication and justice in sports. He has authored two books, and his work has appeared in outlets including the Huffington Post and the World Policy Institute. He has consulted for organizations such as Major League Baseball, Nike, PBS and the Anti-Defamation League.

“The late former South African President Nelson Mandela proclaimed that sport is more powerful than governments in eradicating racial barriers and discrimination,” Anderson said. “In this role, I am seeking to continue his legacy throughout the university, Carolina and the globe.

Esther Campi

Professor of the Practice in Public Relations

Campi brings nearly 30 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs and crisis management into the classroom to teach and mentor students in the school’s advertising and public relations curriculum. She will also serve as a mentor and facilitate networking opportunities for students. 

She previously taught public relations writing as a lecturer at the school.

As CEO and founder of Campi & Company, she has advised America’s top business leaders on high-stakes communications issues. Her career includes serving as senior vice president of communications for the Metro Atlanta Chamber and as a spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson. Campi also worked as a journalist, earning two Associated Press awards.

Campi earned a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communication and a bachelor's in mass communication from Middle Tennessee State University. 

“For many years, I’ve been honored to import lessons directly from my industry clients into the classroom as a frequent guest speaker and former adjunct at this legendary school,” Campi said. “In my new role, I am thrilled to continue training the next generation of PR pros as they prepare to give voice to the ideas and institutions that shape our world.”

Meredith D. Clark

Associate Professor of Race and Political Communication

Clark comes to UNC Hussman from Northeastern University, where she was an associate professor and the founding director of the Center for Communication, Media Innovation & Social Change. She previously held faculty positions at the University of Virginia and University of North Texas.

Clark, who earned her Ph.D. from UNC Hussman in 2014, focuses her research on race, media and power, with particular emphasis on Black digital culture and media. She is the author of the forthcoming book "We Tried to Tell Y'all: Black Twitter & Black Digital Resistance."

In her new role at Hussman, Clark will conduct research; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; and play a senior leadership role with the UNC Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life as a principal investigator. She will also contribute to the school's new political communication certificate program and Washington D.C. residency initiative.

Clark's work has been published in journals including Social Media & Society, New Media & Society and the International Journal of Press and Politics. She has received research grants from organizations such as the Knight Foundation, the Democracy Fund and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

"There's no greater honor than being welcomed back to my alma mater as a member of the faculty,” said Clark. “I look forward to returning the support I received from the Carolina community through my work in the classroom and beyond."

Rebecca Fish

Professor of the Practice in Health Communication and Marketing

Fish brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience across both the public and private sectors to her role at UNC Hussman. As a leader of the school’s certificate program in health communication and marketing, she will leverage a deep background in business and policy to prepare students for careers in the growing field of healthcare marketing and communications strategy.

Fish worked for global pharmaceutical manufacturers Merck and GlaxoSmithKline, biotechnology firms and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services before starting her own consulting business. She has served in a variety of leadership positions, ranging from vice president of marketing to senior policy adviser to the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health. She is particularly interested in global health security and public private partnerships and has published articles and book chapters on these subjects.

An accomplished educator, Fish has been a guest lecturer at Duke, Dartmouth and Johns Hopkins universities. She holds an MBA from Duke University and a bachelor’s in neuroscience from Mount Holyoke College.

“I am delighted to be joining the UNC community because I see a huge strategic opportunity to combine Hussman's excellence in communications with UNC's powerful reputation in healthcare. It’s exciting to be part of this!” said Fish. “My goal is to bring real-world experience into the classroom and prepare students to succeed on the job on day one.”

As UNC Hussman welcomes Anderson, Campi, Clark and Fish, the school continues to build its faculty ranks further with searches for six new faculty members over the next academic year.