Why did you choose graduate school at IU Indianapolis?
I chose the graduate school at IU Indianapolis because of the program's focus on health, learning objectives and courses, and the resources available to graduate students beyond my department.
I was looking for a program that would provide me with the skills to use communication to intervene in the rising cases of noncommunicable diseases in my home country, Ghana. The PhD in Health Communication is a perfect fit for me, as it trains students to use communication to improve health outcomes. Additionally, the program offers courses such as a Pro-Seminar in Communication Pedagogy, which helps students prepare for teaching in higher education institutions. This course is essential for students who have never had formal training in teaching.
Furthermore, the opportunity to complement my major area of concentration with a PhD minor also influenced my choice of IU Indianapolis. I am pursuing a minor in Human-Computer Interaction to learn about best practices in designing health communication technologies and how these affect user experiences in accessing and using these technologies.
Lastly, the resources beyond my department for graduate students attracted me to IU Indianapolis. These resources include the ability to apply the skills I am learning through internships practically, IU's status as the home of the largest medical school in the United States, and the PFFP program, which seeks to support graduate students in cultivating the skills needed to become effective faculty and research professionals.
What has been your favorite academic accomplishment since you’ve been here?
My favorite academic accomplishment has been coaching and mentoring students to excel in the Department of Communication Studies Biannual Speech Competitions. In Fall 2023, I mentored my student who won first place, and in Fall 2022, I guided another, who secured third place during my first year of teaching the Fundamentals of Speech Communication. I am mentoring another student in the 107th Speech Finals this semester, Fall 2024, scheduled for December 10, 2024. These moments have been gratifying as they reflect the hard work of my students but also my ability to foster confidence and communication skills in others. This experience has affirmed my passion for teaching and inspired me to improve as an educator continually.
What do you enjoy most about life in Indianapolis?
Living in Indianapolis has been an exciting mix of new experiences and comforting familiarity from home. What I enjoy most is the beauty and novelty of the seasons, particularly my encounters with snow. The blanket of white covering the city, the crisp air, and the joyful activities of people building snowmen or making snow angels all evoke a sense of wonder. This starkly contrasts the warm climate I grew up in, and I remain in awe of how nature transforms the city. However, snow in Indianapolis has its drawbacks. While it brings beauty and fun, it also presents challenges. The biting cold can be overwhelming, especially during prolonged snowstorms, and navigating these unfamiliar conditions has been a steep learning curve.
Another aspect I truly enjoy is exploring the international shops around Indianapolis. Saraga International Grocery offers a variety of foods and spices that bring me closer to home. I particularly appreciate the Ghanaian stores where I can find familiar ingredients like gari, fufu powder, and shito to prepare the traditional meals I love.
Indianapolis also boasts a rich cultural diversity and a sense of community warmth. From local festivals to discovering cuisines from around the world, I have relished engaging with the city’s vibrant international scene. While adapting to life here has its challenges, the combination of snowy winters, international shops, and welcoming neighborhoods uniquely fulfills my experience.
Please provide some details about your work/research as a graduate student and/or any activities you are involved in.
In addition to being a student, my primary role has been teaching as an Associate Instructor for the “Fundamentals of Speech Communication” course. I guide undergraduate students in developing their public speaking and critical thinking skills. I have coached several finalists in our Biannual Speech Competition, including the first-place winner in Fall 2023. These accomplishments contributed to my nomination as a 2024 IUI Athletics Favorite Professor, an honor recognizing the outstanding faculty selected by IUI’s student athletes from the previous fall semester.
My research focuses on addressing health disparities through effective communication. I am currently involved in studies on designing interventions to increase lung cancer screening uptake among underserved populations in emergency rooms and exploring the healthseeking behaviors of international students. My research has been presented at national conferences, including the National Communication Association (NCA) annual conferences in 2022, 2023, and 2024 in the USA, as well as at the 24th Annual International Conference on Communication and Culture in Wroclaw, Poland. Additionally, I have reviewed manuscripts for the Applied Communication Division for the NCA 2024 conference.
I have played a significant role in service and leadership. I have recently been appointed as an Associate Justice of the IU Indianapolis Supreme Court, where I address governance issues and contribute to university governance. I also serve on the Student Technology Advisory Committee (STAC), which provides feedback on technology plans and initiatives at IU while assisting with technology outreach events.
Furthermore, I have dedicated my time to volunteer work. I have volunteered at the Registration Area, welcoming and assisting conference participants during the National Communication Association annual conferences in 2023 and 2024. This experience allowed me to connect with a diverse group of participants and contribute to the success of the conferences.