Ms. Jessica A. Roark

Jessie Roark is an instructor in the Department of Communication and Media. She has undergraduate degrees in Theatre and Telecommunications and graduate degrees in Telecommunications with an emphasis in digital storytelling and Journalism with an emphasis in media analytics and management. She is currently finishing her doctoral dissertation.

Jessie studies media effects and journalism education. Jessie’s research examines the representation of mental illness and disability in the media. She hopes to find ways to work with industry professionals to counteract the stigma created by inaccurate and sensationalized representations of mental illness in mass media, as well as working to educate journalism students about the ethical reporting of mental illness. Jessie is also a disability rights advocate and educator.