Alysse Baker-Graduate Student

By Taylor Moore

Alysse Baker, who is just about to attain her master’s in strategic communication -- her second degree from the School of Communication -- did not start her journey at Radford. One thing that helped keep her at Radford is the professors.

“Most of my professors were very encouraging and outwardly supportive of the work I put into my assignments. I never thought about going to graduate school until they encouraged me to do so! I give a lot of credit to them for helping me get this far,” Baker said.

Her choice of Radford was based on its proximity to her hometown. She originally attended Northeast State Community College in Bristol, Tennessee, and in 2017, decided to return to her hometown of Galax, Virginia, to finish her associate’s degree.

Baker’s journey at Radford finally began after she received her associate’s degree. She transferred into the communication studies undergraduate program with a focus in public relations and a minor in psychology.

In 2019, she completed her bachelor’s degree and decided to go straight into the strategic communication graduate program with the goal of attaining her master’s degree in the spring of 2021. With the end of the spring semester just around the corner, Baker’s goal is just about accomplished, but she is not stopping there.

She now plans to continue her academic journey at West Virginia University where she will pursue her doctorate in communication studies. There she plans to do more research projects and teach as she has done at Radford.

“It was important for me to pursue a Ph.D.,” says Baker, “because, mostly, I wanted to prove to myself I could do it.”

In the strategic communication graduate program, Baker took the thesis track and her thesis is on “marginalization in Appalachia, specifically Appalachian women, regarding political communication.” She has also been teaching public relations courses and public speaking and credits her mentors for helping her grow as a person since she used to be more reserved as a student herself.

Baker speaks very highly of all her mentors: “Dr. Scott Dunn is my thesis chair and has been a major mentor and advisor of mine throughout the entire graduate program. Susan Sheridan-Smith has also been a huge contributor to my success as a teacher, as she is the mentor for all incoming GTAs. Dr. Shuo Yao was my advisor in undergrad and she’s the Graduate Coordinator, so she’s been someone involved throughout this entire process as well. I can’t say enough about the faculty in the School of Communication. They’re all wonderful!”

When it comes to how Baker is with her own students, she is very understanding and kind. She is also always encouraging her students to participate and do their best.

Baker’s advice to students is, “Don’t put limitations on yourself! If you would’ve told me six years ago that I would be about to move to West Virginia to pursue a Ph.D. I probably would’ve laughed. Don’t let anyone else put limitations on you either!”

Baker also says, “For students in the communication program, utilize your incredible resources. Your teachers are awesome, and they care!”

One thing she always tells students is how she always asks her past professors about things she is still teaching in her own classes when she isn’t sure.

No one is ever going to be upset just because you are coming back to them for some guidance.

This is one thing students usually forget, but now Baker can be an example of how teachers do want to help you on your journey to your career.

Baker, who is the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award for the 2020-2021 academic year, wants to continue teaching in higher education once she completes her doctorate.