Communication and Media Teaching Assistants 2024-2025
Adraina Kukuwaa Adu
Adraina Kukuwaa Adu earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, a program that ignited her passion for brand management, advertising, and marketing. Her academic interests revolve around women in Public Relations, thus exploring the unique contributions and challenges women face in shaping public image and communication strategies. In her current role as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, she’s found a passion for teaching and mentoring students in the field of Public Speaking. Outside academia, she enjoys conversations centered around relationships and humanity.
Michael Castillo
Hello! My name is Michael. I am a first year Graduate Teaching Assistant, pursuing a Communication and Media MA. San Diego, California is where I call “home”. Previously, I earned a B.S. in Communication Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha. My degree concentration is in Diversity and Public Culture, with a minor in Journalism. My career path directly paralleled the concentration in that I had a non-linear path of education, overcoming systemic barriers, as my education origin began by earning a G.E.D. My career experience has ranged from sales to service industries, to public schools and early childhood education, to live entertainment and radio. I believe in communication as a form of empowerment, whether in public speaking, interpersonal communication, broadcast journalism, or organizational cultures. My goal is to help everyone discover the power of their voice, regardless of where they choose to apply it. As a hobby I enjoy singing and playing guitar. My favorite music genre is 1980’s Post-Punk, and my favorite artist is Johnny Marr. Also, wrestling is not fake…
Sydney Dumond
Sydney Dumond has a B.A. in organizational communication studies from Winona State University. While at WSU, Sydney also minored in both women’s gender and sexuality studies as well as child advocacy studies. They are currently working towards their M.A. in communication studies. Sydney’s role as a graduate teaching assistant for the communication studies department has helped them to realize their passion for teaching.
Dorcas Ekeanyanwu
Dorcas has a B.S. in Mass Communication from Adeleke University in Nigeria. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Communication Studies and is also working as a graduate assistant for the Department of Communication and Media. She is goal-oriented and believes that everything is achievable through determination; she also has a passion for sharing knowledge, loves babies, and listening to music. After graduation, Dorcas wants to pursue a career in public relations.
Vanessa Folwer
Vanessa Fowler is a third-year graduate student in the Master of Forensics Arts program and working as teaching assistant for the Maverick Forensics Speech and Debate Team. She graduated from Berry College in Rome, GA with a B.A. in Communication: Digital Storytelling, spent four years on the forensics team there and has three years of student coaching experience. Vanessa adores public speaking and wants to help students find their voices and speak on things important to them.
Jolinda Grabianowski
Anna Houston
Anna Houston is a second year in the program and will be graduating in May, 2025 with a M.S. in communication studies. She graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse earning a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in environmental studies. She is especially passionate about effectively communicating environmental issues. Her current role as a Graduate Teaching Assistant has expanded her interest in teaching in a formal setting. Anna’s past work experience includes: a naturalist teaching environmental education programs at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, conservationist working on a crew at Indiana Dunes National Park, and communications intern at Minnesota School Boards Association.
Emmanuel Karikari
My name is Emmanuel Karikari. I am the last of three children born into a family of five. Hailing from the eastern part of Ghana I was raised in the coastal part of Ghana and had most of my education there. I earned my bachelor’s degree in religious studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Growing up, I was not one of a communicative people. Growing up I have been a lover of sport and football (soccer). My love for sports has inspired me to pursue a communication program. My academic interest revolves around communication in the sports industry. And I will strive to be one of the best in this field.
Kylee Johnson
Nowrin Akther Koly
Nowrin has an M.A. in TESOL from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She worked as a graduate teaching assistant and an adjunct faculty member in the Department of English at MSU. She is currently pursuing her second master’s degree in communication studies at MSU. Her role as a graduate student and a teaching assistant in this program allows her to deepen her understanding of communication theories in pedagogy, curriculum, and assessment. She is interested in areas like antiracist and decolonized teaching, intercultural communication, conflict resolution strategies, language, and identity and wants to obtain a Ph.D. in one of the areas of her interest to teach at a university.
Belal Muntasir
Beyond academics, Belal is an avid diarist and a street photographer.
Henrietto Otoo
Henrietta Otoo holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, with a minor in English and French. She worked with small business startups and enjoys applying her experiences to organizational communication. She is interested in studying the impact of emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and Web 3 on organizational and interpersonal communication. She is a Graduate Teaching Assistant who loves to assist students in overcoming communication anxiety so that they can shine in their professional world and achieve success.
Manny Reyes
Ongelle Schroeder
Ongelle Schroeder holds a B.A. in English Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has always enjoyed teaching and has experience teaching at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. She is currently working on her M.S. in Communication and Composition from Minnesota State University, Mankato. During the 2023-2024 school year, Ongelle was a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the English department for ENG 101: Foundations of Writing and Rhetoric. During this 2024-2025 school year, she is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Communication and Media department for COMM 100: Fundamentals of Communication. She is especially passionate about the inclusion of information literacy in Communication and Composition instruction as well as meeting students where they are at in their educational journeys.
Tahura Tabassum Tari
Hello! I am Tahura Tabassum Tari. I hold a B.S.S. and M.S.S. degrees in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Now, I am pursuing my M.S. in Communication Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato. I have 3 years of experience in the journalism field as a sub-editor and worked in the top national business daily. Later, I worked as the page-in-charge for the international politics and business desk. I am interested in obtaining a Ph.D. in Communication with the goal of teaching about social and gender identity, new media, and communication at a university. I believe in diversity, equity and inclusivity at work. I am highly passionate about helping the students. So, feel free to reach me!
Raisa Akhter Trisha
Caleb Webb
Caleb attended undergrad at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire earning a Bachelor of Science in organizational communication and a minor in sociology. He has been in forensics for more than a decade, coaching at Memorial High School for three years as well as the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. His focus is on equity in performance spaces and creating an environment in which students can find their voices and passions.
