Adventures in advertising
I believe that we are living in an exciting era in communication, and I am especially interested in the impact of this revolutionary period on advertising. In addition to video recording devices, new outlets developed through digital technology (e.g., Internet, cell phones, and iPods) have generated mass media in forms that allow consumers to control selection, timing, and pace. In short, advertisers must now adapt to this changing environment by using ad dollars previously allocated for more traditional outlets (e.g., television, newspapers, and magazines) to create indirect messages delivered in the form of blogs, word-of-mouth messages, etc. It is ironic that even though we have more ways to communicate than ever before, the need for literacy has never been greater. Online communication has also triggered a lack of discretion, as Internet users are increasingly all too willing to relinquish their privacy. For example, when making online purchases, many people don't mind (and often appreciate!) recommendations based on stored preferences or past activity.

Welcome committee
For 32 of my 34 years, I've taught a large introductory lecture class, and for a period of about ten years, two of my former students who are now in broadcasting would pull some kind of stunt on the first day of the school year. The year the story broke about Pete Rose betting on baseball, I began the day as usual without noticing the media truck parked outside Hughes Hall. Just as the class got underway, the rear doors flew open and the light from a large broadcast camera filled the room as these two former students rushed to the front shouting, "Professor Vogel, professor Vogel, we understand you are the unidentified informant in the Dowd report…." For a brief while, the first-year students remained motionless as they silently grappled with the unsettling turn of events. The discomfort was only temporary, however, as the "reporters" soon revealed themselves and explained their practice that had by now become an annual tradition. I certainly couldn't have provided a more memorable "Introduction to Mass Communication"!

Career advice
A noted scholar and professor of criminology at Rhode Island College was a tremendous influence on my career. From her example, I came to understand what an honor it is to be a professor. She also taught me that respect must be earned and that a student's trust is integral to imparting knowledge. My goal as a professor must be to help students develop their own sense of identity and take ownership of their education. If I had any message for students, it would be to TALK to your teachers! Go see them during office hours because many of the most exciting moments in education happen not in the classroom but in the professor's office!

Liberal learning
I appreciate Miami's support for faculty who want to try out new ideas. Since my first year here, I've helped to create interdisciplinary courses and develop programs that expose students to a wide range of subjects and career possibilities beyond communication. I am proud to say that you will find my students in every walk of life.

You'd never guess
Many people would be surprised to know that I get nervous when I have to get up in front of people. I do much better in settings with strict parameters than informal situations, where I have to prepare to seem relaxed! Even in impromptu situations, I try to think about what I'm going to say ahead of time.

Personal approach
I try to emphasize to my students that their college years represent the last time they can make a fool of themselves. In fact, that's their job here! My teaching philosophy evokes the image of a big sandbox with parameters within which students receive support and gain confidence to take ownership of their education. Each student is an individual, and I think it's important not only to allow for different learning styles but to teach each student according to her/his stage of development; my approach to mentoring first-year students is very different than my approach to mentoring seniors.