Dr. Susan Waters became a member of the Department of Media and Communication faculty at East Tennessee State University in August 2014. She is the graduate coordinator for the Brand and Media Strategy graduate degree as well as the head of the advertising and public relations program. Previously, she taught five years at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, and received the College of Liberal Arts Teaching Excellence Award at Auburn in 2013. Students in Waters’ classes frequently engage with local organizations or community partners to create media kits, strategic campaigns and conduct research. She also does part-time consulting work. Waters’ research and teaching interests include public relations, social media, politics and service-learning.