Dr. Leslie Steeves

Program Director

I first came to Ghana on Fulbright in 1996 and have been returning ever since. Ghana is a beautiful and accessible country offering rich opportunities for media internships, research, and service projects. 2015 marks my 13th year bringing UO SOJC students to Ghana. The 2015 group promises to be a great one. It is exciting and humbling to see
such a growing interest in sub-Saharan Africa at UO.

 

Dr. Michael “Doc” Williams

On-site adviser; Executive Director of the Aya Center

I have been working with the Media in Ghana program for several years now, and I have enjoyed my experience immensely. The quality of students who have participated in this program have been phenomenal — extremely bright, talented and creative! What I enjoy most about the program is seeing how both the student and the agencies they work for benefit from this service-learning experience. In short, everyone’s a winner, and I enjoy being involved in something this positive.

 

Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo

Director, Department of Communication Studies, University of Ghana

I head the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Ghana and have been involved in the Media in Ghana program for many years. I typically give students an introductory lecture on media in Ghana and address gender issues. I’m also happy to answer questions that arise during their stay related to their internships and research projects. As usual, I look forward to meeting and interacting with the new group.

 

Christopher Chávez

Assistant Professor in Media Studies and Advertising

In both my research and teaching, I’m very interested in the relationship between globalization, media and culture. Prior to becoming a professor, I worked for ten years as an advertising executive working at TBWA Chiat/Day, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Mullen and Publicis & Hal Riney. This is my second year with the Ghana program and I am looking forward to working with such talented and capable students.

 

Dr. Michael Stern

Associate Professor, Department of German and Scandinavian

This is my first time traveling to Ghana but I have a long and abiding interest in African thought, literature and film. My research is comparative, focused on understanding the multiplicity of perspectives on the relationship between the stories we tell about being human and how these narratives unlock possibilities for creating greater understanding between cultures. I look forward to learning about the specificities of Ghanaian culture with all of you.