Tracy Worrell
School Director
Tracy Worrell
School Director
Education
BA, Otterbein University; MA, University of Cincinnati; Ph.D., Michigan State University
Bio
Professor Worrell has a B.A. in Speech Communication from Otterbein University, and degrees in Communication from the University of Cincinnati (M.A.) and Michigan State University (Ph.D.). Since coming to RIT in 2008, Professor Worrell has taught a wide variety of classes, advised undergraduate and graduate theses and furthered her own scholarly work.
As a researcher Professor Worrell has predominantly focused on examining health messages and the media. Her first book Disability in the Media: Examining Stigma and Identity was published March 2018 by Lexington Books. She also has written numerous conference papers and has been published in journals such as Health Communication and the Howard Journal of Communication. Publications have explored areas such as the portrayal of illness on television and its impact on those with said illnesses to creating effective health messages to promote behavior change. Professor Worrell’s current interests are in continuing to examine the portrayal of illness and disability in the media and studying the use of mobile health in promoting behavior change.
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Currently Teaching
In the News
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January 17, 2022
School of Communication announces administrative changes, new director
RIT’s School of Communication has appointed Tracy Worrell, professor of communication, as its new director. The previous director, Kelly Norris Martin, is now associate dean of faculty and staff affairs in the College of Liberal Arts.
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April 2, 2020
COLA Cares established for friendly support
Nearly 30 faculty and staff members from RIT’s College of Liberal Arts have volunteered to help their colleagues run errands, walk their dogs or just offer a voice of support during this period of social distancing.
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February 4, 2020
Disability in the Media: Examining Stigma and Identity