The Leadership Communication doctoral program at Kansas State University proudly announces its spring 2023 graduates. Aliah Mestrovich Seay, Ph.D., Jaclyn Tweeten, Ph.D., and Todd Vogts, Ph.D., have completed their doctorates in Leadership Communication, an interdisciplinary program with faculty from the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education, the Department of Communication Studies, the College of Education, the Staley School of Leadership and the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication.
Aliah Mestrovich Seay has a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology in French, a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, a clinical license to practice marriage and family therapy, and a graduate certificate in Qualitative Inquiry.
Mestrovich Seay’s dissertation in the leadership communication doctoral program was entitled, The Stories Are Burning Inside of Us: Exploring Daily Violence, Peacebuilding, and Intercultural Humility and Resilience in Interracial Family Communication. This study highlights how storytelling can be an act of peace and resilience, and offers insights for dismantling oppression and violence within family, educational, and social systems. Aliah’s major professor was Dr. Sean Eddington, assistant professor, A. Q. Miller School of Media and Communication.
In May 2022, Mestrovich Seay was named the next executive director for UFM Community Learning Center in Manhattan, Kansas. She comes to UFM after serving seven years as an extension specialist with K-State Research and Extension, 4-H Youth Development, providing statewide programmatic oversight for 4-H project areas focusing on community vitality as well as culture, communication, and the arts across the state of Kansas. She has been involved in service and community-engaged scholarship both on and off campus supporting community development initiatives and systemic change while engaging new youth and adult audiences to address community needs. She has experience in grant writing and administration as well as extensive program development work. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education and the not-for-profit sectors, Mestrovich Seay’s research interests involve critical intercultural communication, critical whiteness studies, critical empathy, and intercultural listening for intersectional healing and reconciliation.
“This Ph.D. program gave me hands-on working knowledge of the field before I graduated, allowing me to learn how to publish journal articles and book chapters, attending and presenting at conferences, and exposing me to interdisciplinary fields. I am excited to be applying my practical and theoretical knowledge professionally to better my community,” said Mestrovich Seay.
Jaclyn Tweeten has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Communications and Agricultural Business from the University of Wisconsin River Falls, a master’s Degree in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University, and a graduate certificate as a Youth Development Specialist from Kansas State University.
Tweeten’s dissertation was entitled, Exploring and Identifying Youth and Adult Partnerships, the Lived Experiences and the Knowledge and Practices of Youth Development by Youth and Adult Leaders within the American Hereford Association. Tweeten’s research provided insights to organizations with youth-adult partnerships and the critical element of positive relationships. Utilizing training to teach positive youth development within trade industries will help both youth and adults learn about positive youth development practices and give them the opportunity to strengthen partnerships and interactions with their members. Tweeten’s major professor was Dr. Jon Ulmer, associate professor, department of communications and agricultural education.
Tweeten is currently conducting research with various trade industry organizations on youth and adult partnerships and youth leadership. She plans to pursue a career working in youth and adult partnerships and or teaching youth development principles.
“The Leadership Communication doctoral program gave me the opportunity to conduct research in a professional setting while connecting my personal interests”, said Tweeten. “My community-engaged research project allowed me to dive deeper into the Hereford Association building connections and relationships with others.”
Todd Vogts has a bachelor’s degree in communication, a master’s degree in education, and a master’s degree in journalism.
Vogts’ dissertation in the leadership communication doctoral program was entitled, What’s Right (Leaning) with Kansas Media: The Cultivation of Misinformation in Rural America. Vogts’ research provides insights on how Kansans get their news and the impact of misinformation on consumer trust. He also found that local news is valued, and citizens crave more community-centered coverage, which calls for increased attention toward developing local journalism models that are sustainable and meet the needs of rural audiences. His major professor was Dr. Jacob Groshek, associate professor, and Ross Beach, chair in emerging media research, A. Q. Miller School of Media and Communication.
Vogts currently works as an assistant professor of media at Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas. He teaches a variety of communication courses that include journalistic writing and reporting, digital media and audio production, sports coverage, and how the media impacts and influences society. He plans to continue pursuing a research agenda focused on mis- and disinformation, rural media, community journalism, and communication education.
“The Leadership Communication program presented me with the opportunity to achieve a life-long dream. Not only was I able to earn my doctoral degree, but I was able to do so while focusing on media, especially rural and community media,” Vogts said. “Through this, I have grown as an individual. I have learned that I can do hard things, and I have become a scholar in my field. For that, I’m grateful. Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without the Leadership Communication faculty and the support of my family. I will never be able to thank them enough.”
As part of K-State’s land-grant mission, the Leadership Communication program is dedicated to research that strengthens Kansas and global communities. The program seeks to create bold, community-engaged scholarship that advances the public good. Answering to a call from various industries, government, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Leadership Communication doctoral students pursue research on leading change, engaging community, and advancing communication. Because of these focus areas, the program attracts widely diverse students with divergent career goals. Graduates of this program will use community-engaged research to transform the academic, nonprofit, government, private and civic sectors in which they live and work.
Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are currently being accepted. Learn more.
