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SHAWNA DIAS, PH.D.

Shawna Dias earned her Ph.D. in Communication at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she specialized in public relations, emphasizing health risk and organizational crisis communication. While completing her Ph.D., Dr. Dias taught undergraduate courses in public speaking and public relations. She also authored several manuscripts on public relations strategy, which were presented at conference, peer-reviewed, and published. Since 2021, Dr. Dias has been employed as a researcher at the Hanover Research Council, where she leads research projects for K-12, higher education, and corporate clients. In the education space, her research primarily focuses on DEI, employee satisfaction, and program development. In the corporate space, Dr. Dias provides clients with critical intelligence and strategic direction for mitigating risks and growing their businesses.

EDUCATION

University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD — Doctor of Philosophy, Public Relations
August 2018 - March 2023
Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT — Master of Science, Public Relations
August 2014 - May 2016
Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT — Bachelor of Science, Public Relations
August 2011 - May 2014

TEACHING AND ADVISING

University of Maryland                                                                                                                                                                 August 2018 – July 2021

COMM107 Oral Communication: Principles and Practices

COMM331 News Writing and Reporting for Public Relations

COMM353 New Media Writing for Public Relations                                      


American Red Cross                                                                                                                                                                   November 2012 - Present

Adult and Child CPR, First Aid, AED Certification                        

Supporting Volunteers and Managing Teams                                   

Community Disaster Preparedness                                        

International Humanitarian Law Overview – Raid Cross                 


Montana State University Billings                                                                                                                                   August 2015 – December 2015

COMX320 Principles of Organizational Communication (Online TA)                   

COMX401 Principles of Public Relations Ethics (Online TA)                     

QUALITATIVE CONTENT ANALYST/RESEARCHER, HANOVER RESEARCH COUNCIL

• Identify unique client needs and translate them into well-defined research requests.
• Design customized research projects on various topics for K-12, higher education, and corporate clients.
• Manage the execution of research projects using a variety of qualitative methodologies
•  Edit reports for content, structure, and overall clarity to ensure quality control
•  Effectively communicate and explain Hanover’s methodologies and findings to clients
•  Deliver actionable insights and strategic recommendations to clients and leadership
•  Act as a mentor and coach to new research staff and provide them with guidance and constructive feedback on assigned projects

COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTOR & GRADUATE ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

Serve as instructor of record for the Department of Communication’s foundational course and upper level public relations writing courses. Instruct students how to be better public speakers, professional writers, and media designers.

  • Instructed approximately 280 students in communication.

  • Produce award-winning research on the topics of strategic health and crisis communication.

  • Elected as the department representative for Graduate Student Government and various university councils and committees.

  • Contracted to manage the development of a public relations campaign for the Maryland Higher Education Commission, which focused on the promotion of new financial aid programs for DACA and undocumented high school and undergraduate students.

REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT MANAGER, AMERICAN RED CROSS OF MASSACHUSETTS

Served as the Project Manager for the Volunteer Services team, and as the Regional Lead for volunteer engagement, recognition, and website technical support. Supported volunteer recruitment across service lines and coordination of all youth program fundraising events and service projects. Provided organizational representation at city and state government forums, community fairs and educational workshops. Created and published programmatic newsletters and marketing materials, and managed online media presence for youth volunteer services. Developed and published results for annual youth civic responsibility survey. Successes include:

  • Program oversight resulted in fundraising of more than $225k through program sponsored events and foundation grants, as well as an additional $4 million in blood product revenue.

  • Mentored traditionally undeserved youth and supported their personal and professional development.

  • Onboarded more than 1300 new volunteers over time through successful social media recruitment campaigns.

  • Streamlined volunteer intake and onboarding procedures, and developed training materials to help staff and volunteer leaders better understand and navigate new volunteer management software.

  • Managed Volunteer Engagement and Recognition teams to ensure proper onboarding, training, and integration of new volunteers. Also supervised a team of technical support volunteers, tasked with trouble-shooting issues related to the Volunteer Connection (Digital Cheetah) staff management system.

  • Served as Disaster Staffing Lead for the Boston Marathon Bombing (2013), Blizzard Nemo (2013), Revere Tornado (2014), East Boston Fire (2014), Louisiana Floods (2016), Hurricane Matthew (2016), and Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico (2017) responses.

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE AND CONTRIBUTOR, SUN PUBLICATIONS OF FLORIDA

Prospected new advertisers through social media, internet research, telemarketing and field visits. Developed and proofed new advertisement designs and accompanying editorials. Managed client accounts and records, including campaign agreement forms, credit applications, payment receipts and credit authorization forms. Copy edited guest journalist column submissions for print. Covered special events as a guest writer and photographer. Represented employer as an ambassador with the local Chamber of Commerce. Successes include:

  • Increased client retention rate by 30% through implementation of creative and successful advertising campaigns.

  • Created special sections and events to promote the publication and expand client list. Special sections and events include Fashion Exchange – a Mother’s Day career clothing drive, which benefited the Sunrise of Pasco Domestic Violence Shelter; Words of Wisdom – Graduation Issue, Best of Dade City Summer Cook Off – an advertising campaign strategy to gain new restaurant customers.

  • Improved advertiser retention and satisfaction ratings, by featuring clients in a popular, bi-weekly column, which I ghost-wrote.

TRADE ANALYST, JPMORGAN CHASE

Tracked and reviewed international shipping invoices and import documentation to ensure timely delivery of mechanical parts to client factories. Maintained referrals data base and distributed monthly metrics reports. Ensured NAFTA compliance by documenting evidence for tariff taxation of imported items. Identified and flagged items that would attract OGA/FCC/FDA review and supplied brokers with appropriate HTS identification codes and forms for US Customs clearance. Successes include:

  • Developed new training materials and a quick reference manual for staff members and contractors.

  • Developed a database to record contact information and pertinent notes about 463 parts suppliers.

  • Improved import processing and parts delivery time for clients by 15%

CLIENT ESCALATION UNIT SUPERVISOR, CITIBANK

Maintained personal banking and credit accounts. Ensured team compliance with Federal Banking Regulations. Leveraged sale of bank related products and services. Supervised a team of 25 customer service representatives. Lead team sales boosters. Successes include:

  • Managed the first ever hybrid banking and credit sales team for Citibank.

  • Supervised the highest performing sales team in the South-East division. Consistently exceeded goals by 15-20%

  • Ranked highest nationally for customer service quality and accuracy.

UNIVERSITY SERVICE

COMM Grads Committee Member                                                                                                                                            August 2018 - May 2021

  • Graduate student representative, advocate, and voting member

  • Represent Graduate Student Government

  • Help bring attention to concerns that graduate students have about events or decisions that happen on campus or within the Department of Communication.


Stamp Student Union Advisory Board Member                                                                                                             September 2018 – June 2020

  • Attended bi-weekly meetings and served as a representative for Graduate Student Government

  • Voted on new proposals for future uses of the Stamp Student Union

  • Relayed needs for use of event space in Stamp Student Union

  • Contributed ideas for student events and activities that could be hosted by the Stamp Student Union

  • Address budgeting concerns that influence student fees


Committee for the Review of Student Fees                                                                                                                    September 2018 – June 2020

  • Obtained advanced copies of planned budget proposals from all of the University departments and programs that are funded through student fees.

  • Identified areas of concern and addressed through email or telephone conference, so that department leaders would have time to edit or justify fee proposals in advance of CRSF voting.

  • Worked with SGA and fellow GSG representative to outline a voting plan and strategies to improve budget proposal procedures moving forward.

  • Voted on fee proposals that would take effect in Fall 2019 term.


GSG Budget and Finance Committee Member                                                                                                             September 2019 – June 2020

  • Assessed and voted on event and program funding request proposals from graduate student groups.

  • Assessed and voted on requests to modify the Graduate Student Government operating budget.

  • Assisted with issue resolutions for budget and spending disputes.


GSG Governance Committee Member                                                                                                                            September 2019 – June 2020

  • Investigated and resolved complaints related to violations of GSG rules and bylaws.

  • Assisted with impeachment inquiries and processes for GSG executive board.

  • Co-authored revisions to GSG constitution and bylaws.


VP of Public Relations, UMD Graduate Student Government                                                                                             August 2018 – April 2019

  • Published bi-weekly newsletter and management of internal communications with representative assembly

  • Administrated social media and website content

  • Authored opinion editorials and official press statements

  • Promoted student organized events


GSG Student Activities Committee Member                                                                                                                   September 2018 – April 2019

  • Planned and executed quarterly social engagement events for the UMD graduate student body.

  • Set and maintained event budgets.


Graduate Research Appreciation Day Co-Chair                                                                                                              September 2018 – April 2019

  • Interviewed and hired Event Coordinator.

  • Assembled a team of graduate student volunteers to help plan the event.

  • Created a timeline for the event planning deliverables.

  • Reviewed and revised event budget, and made recommendations for sources of in-kind donations.

  • Developed an action plan for communication to recruit participants and promote the event.

AWARDS

Top Paper Award, Communication Education Division - Eastern Communication Association Conference, March 2023

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Outstanding Poster Award - International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference, March, 2020

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Outstanding Representative Award - UMD Graduate Student Government, February 2020

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

Dias, S., & Wang, X. (2021). Exploring participants’ experiences of mental health and stigma in American colleges. Journal of American College Health, 1-11.

BOOK PUBLICATIONS

Dias, S., Aldoory, L., & Toth, E. L. (2022). From public relations management to leadership: a critical turn. In Towards a New Understanding of Masculine Habitus and Women and Leadership in Public Relations (pp. 19-34). Routledge.


Dias, S., & Wang, X. (Publication scheduled January 2024). Addressing the mental health stigma communication gap affecting graduate students and faculty in higher education. In Cracking the Cultural Code: A University-Wide Approach to Changing Campus Cultures of Mental Illness Stigma. Springer Nature

PUBLICATIONS IN PROGRESS

McDermott, V., Dias, S., & Anderson, L. B. (2023). Undergraduates’ perceptions of inclusivity in higher education classrooms. Communication Education.


Dias. S. “Complexity in disaster response: A qualitative study of the American Red Cross Hurricane Maria operation.” Journal of Contingencies in Crisis Management. Pending Edits.


Dias, S., & Wang, X. “Message framing and the protective action decision model: Student risk perceptions and protective responses to adenovirus.” Kaleidoscope.


Dias, S. & Wang, X. “A qualitative analysis of those role of communication in reputation management during compounding health crises.” Kaleidoscope.

PEER-REVIEWED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

McDermott, V., Dias, S., & Anderson, L. B. (2023). Undergraduates’ perceptions of inclusivity in higher education classrooms. Top paper presented at the Eastern Communication Association Conference, Baltimore, MD.


Dias, S., & Wang, X. (2021). A qualitative analysis of the role of communication in reputation management during compounding health crises [Conference session]. 71st Annual International Communication Association Conference, Fully Virtual Conference.


Dias, S. (2020). Protective action decision making for disease mitigation: How long trail hikers come to understand and respond to norovirus risks [Panel session canceled]. 106th Annual National Communication Association Convention, Fully Virtual Convention. https://ww4.aievolution.com/nca2001/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEv&ev=13547


Dias, S., & Wang, X. (2020). Exploring mental health and stigma communication across academic communities [Panel session canceled]. 106th Annual National Communication Association Convention, Fully Virtual Convention. https://ww4.aievolution.com/nca2001/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEv&ev=13731


Dias, S. (2019). Service-based, profit-driven: Corporate social responsibility in the IVF industry [Conference session]. 17th International Conference on Communication in Healthcare, San Diego, CA.


Dias. S, & Wang, X. (2021). The impact of message framing devices, message form, and information channel on students’ decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Presented to the International Conferences of Crisis and Risk Communication, Fully Virtual Conference.


Dias, S. (2020). Message framing and the protective action decision model: Student risk perceptions and protective responses to adenovirus. Presented to the International Conferences on Crisis and Risk Communication, Orlando, FL.


Dias, S. (2020). Complexity in disaster response: A qualitative study of the American Red Cross Hurricane Maria operation. Presented to the International Conferences on Crisis and Risk Communication, Orlando, FL.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Eastern Sociological Society, 2016 – present
International Communication Association, 2018 – present
Eastern Communication Association, 2018 – present
National Communication Association, 2018 - present

Professional Resume: Experience
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