Carter's research interests include women and leadership, diversity issues in higher education, specifically in journalism and mass communication, and multicultural images in the media. She is the author of several articles and presentations on diversity, journalism and mass communication education and leadership. Her most recent publication includes co-author, “Footsteps: Translating Experience, Wisdom & Insight into Navigational Capital for New Black Women Diversity Officers” with Drs. Toby Jenkins, Michelle Bryan, Coretta Jenerette, chapter in The Experiences of Black Women Diversity Practitioners in Historically White Institutions, edited by Tristen Brenae Johnson, 239-260. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2023.
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Faculty and Staff
Shirley Staples Carter, Ph.D.
| Title: | Associate Dean of Access and Engagement Professor |
| Department: | School of Journalism and Mass Communications College of Information and Communications |
| Email: | sscarter@mailbox.sc.edu |
| Phone: | 803-777-3324 |
| Fax: | 803-777-4103 |
| Office: | School of Journalism and Mass Communications 800 Sumter Street, Room 229 Columbia, SC 29208 |
| Resources: | Curriculum Vitae |
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Education
B.S., English/Secondary Education, Tuskegee University (AL)
M.A., Journalism, The Ohio State University
Ph.D., Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia
Background
Shirley Staples Carter was the recipient of the Charles E. Scripps Award, 2006 Journalism Administrator of the Year, awarded by the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, during her tenure as the inaugural director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications from 2003-2008.
She previously served as director of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University, founding chair of mass communication, journalism and communication programs at Norfolk State University, University of North Florida, and Prairie View A&M University, and assistant professor and director of multicultural journalism initiatives at Louisiana State University. She was also instrumental in establishing the Journalism Leadership Institute for Diversity, a pipeline program to attract women and people of color to leadership roles in higher education. She has worked in university relations and advancement, public television, and is a former staff writer at the Virginian-Pilot as a fellow of the American Society of Newspaper Editors' Institute for Journalism Excellence.
Research
Carter's teaching areas include public relations and media management, and multicultural communication. In her teaching, Carter draws on her professional background in higher education leadership and media management to teach courses in public relations management at the University of South Carolina. She joined the faculty as a full professor in 2003, and began teaching full time in 2008 after serving as founding director of the school. She was the recipient of the Mortar Board Teaching Excellence Award in 2013. Carter attributes her passion for teaching to wisdom shared by Maya Angelou, "When you get, give. When you learn, teach."
Recent Publications and Presentations
2022, co-author, “Footsteps: Translating Experience, Wisdom & Insight into Navigational Capital for New Black Women Diversity Officers” with Drs. Toby Jenkins, Michelle Bryan, Coretta Jenerette, chapter in The Experiences of Black Women Diversity Practitioners in Historically White Institutions, edited by Tristen Brenae Johnson, 239-260. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2023.l
2020, Panelist, University of South Carolina’s Teaching Toward Inclusive Excellence Program: An Institutional Model for Curricular Diversification,” National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education annual conference, San Diego, CA, March 12-14, 2020.
2018, Co-founder and Contributor, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications Trailblazer Scholarship to attract underrepresented and first generation undergraduate and graduate students to the program.
2017, Contributing Author: Digital Content, Chapter Questions and Discussions, Glossary, Online Resources and Tests in Kelleher, Tom. Public Relations, Oxford Press USA. (2017).
2015, Keynote Presentation, Mass Communication Undergraduate Research Symposium, Winthrop University, April 15, 2015.
2014, Book Proposal Reviewer, Public Relations in the Digital Age, Tom Kelleher. Oxford University Press.
2014, Reviewer, Special Issue of Howard Journal of Communication, Vol. 25, Issue 4: Minorities and Mass Communication Scholarship.
Service
- 2023-Co-Chair, University of South Carolina Council of Academic Diversity Officers (CADO). Member since 2016
- 2023-2024 – Appointed Co-Chair of University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health Dean Search Committee
- 2023, Member, School of Journalism and Mass Communications Director Search Committee
- 2022. Chair, University of South Carolina Press Director Search Committee
- 2021-2022. University of South Carolina Faculty Senate Ad hoc Committee on Freedom of Expression
- 2020-2021. UofSC Faculty Senate Committee of 9, +5 non-voting member.
- 2018. Appointed member, University Committee on Tenure and Promotion, August-December
- 2017-2018. Member, Garnet Apple Selection Committee
- 2015- 2018. Member, Faculty Senate Committee on Faculty Civility
- 2014-2015. Co-Chair, Family Fund, University Advancement
- 2014. Appointed Member, Faculty Senate Committee on Professional Conduct
- 2010-2013. Elected Member, Faculty Senate Committee on Faculty Grievance,
- 2010-2013. Member, Student Publication Board
- 2010-2012. Advisor, Undergraduate Honors Student Thesis
- 2008-2011. Mentor, African American Professor’s Program
- 2009. Faculty Platform Representative, Mace Party, Summer Commencement
- 2008-2010. Member, University Graduate Council