Communication & Media Studies Faculty & Staff

Professor Crawford has been at Butler University since 1982.  Before that, she was working on an MFA in acting at the University of Mississippi.  She obtained Masters and Bachelor’s degrees from Ball State University.  She directed professional theatre at the Phoenix Theater and the Jasper Playhouse.  She did costume designs for the Phoenix Theater, Indianapolis Civic Theater and the Children’s Museum Theater.  She has been the Director of Forensics (Speech Team) since 1999.  Students travel to 5-7 tournaments a semester and attend Pi Kappa Delta and NFA Nationals.  Professor Crawford also hosts 2 tournaments at Butler University.  One in September and one in January.

I am an Assistant Professor and Faculty Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the College of Communication at Butler University. In these roles, I facilitate learning related to inclusion, empathy, listening and advocating for all members of our community. I teach classes on social responsibility and today’s drastically changing workplace. In class we work to understand how globalization, technology and the changing structure of work fundamentally alter the experience of working in our modern economy. While considering these changes, students learn how to work with diverse others and accomplish shared goals through effective and empathetic communication. 

My scholarship interrogates the roles mobile and digital media play in structuring of political and social relationships. I have written a book called Virtually Amish: Preserving Community at the Internet’s Margins, which is scheduled for publication by MIT Press in spring 2022. 

I have also published research on Twitter use by protesters and social and mobile media use for public health communication among high-risk groups. Among other outlets, my research has been published in First Monday, New Media & Society and Media Culture & Society.

Katherine earned her PhD in Communication & Culture, with a specialty in Film & Media Studies, from Indiana University in 2021. Her research pertains to film and media history and historiography, labor/production studies, popular culture, gender, and genre. She lives in Cumberland, IN with her husband, two bonus children, three dogs, and two cats.

Gregory E. Moser, Esq. is an adjunct professor in the College of Communication and works full time as an attorney in the Major Felony Division of the Marion County Public Defender Agency.  Prior to earning his Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University, Greg taught and studied at Miami University in Oxford, OH, where he coached the forensic team, served as a research assistant, and taught communication courses.  He is a 2007 alumnus of Butler University, where he served as the captain of the speech and debate team for three years and claimed a national championship.  He also served for two years as a peer tutor with Butler’s Speakers Lab.

Greg has publications and has presented at national and regional conferences on a variety of topics, including holocaust rhetoric, terrorist rhetoric, facilitating student learning through the use of internet-based applications, and the relationship between communication centers and forensic teams.

At Butler, he serves in a volunteer capacity as the Assistant Director of Forensics, coaching Butler’s speech and debate team.  In his spare time, he enjoys activities like watching Butler Basketball with his three sons and his dog.

Sally Perkins is a story and presentation expert who spends part of her time at Butler University, teaching public speaking and overseeing the Speakers Lab on campus, and the rest of her time helping external clients improve their presentations and tell their stories more effectively.  She spent the first twelve years of her career working her way to full, tenured professor at California State University, Sacramento, where she taught graduate and undergraduate courses and conducted research in rhetorical studies and instructional communication.  Her work now is focused largely on helping clients develop effective presentations and compelling stories for use in fundraising, advocacy, marketing, volunteer recruitment, effective tour guiding, human relations, and compelling leadership.

Dr. Eileen Taylor is a Senior Lecturer in Communication in the College of Communication. 

Dr. Taylor’s research and expertise are organizational leadership communication with a focus on change and diversity of perspectives is complimented with a Bachelor of Science in Management, MBA, Master of Arts in Advanced Leadership Studies, and Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership. She earned her credentials from Indiana Wesleyan University.  Dr. Taylor was a First Generation student as the first in her family to become a college graduate.  At a young 45 years of age, she officially retired as a federal government career professional with 27 years and 7 months of business administration expertise that included human resources, financial management, and organizational leadership.

Dr. Taylor believes the essence of leadership is communication. She teaches  organizational leadership and communication, speech for business, public speaking, communication ethics, financial management, introduction to human resources management, and principles of marketing at the college level.

Dr. Taylor is the textbook author of Diversity of Perspectives.  Her professional philosophy is partially rooted in opportunities to live throughout the United States and Europe as a military dependent. At the time, a 5-year residency in Europe was pivotal in preparing Dr. Taylor to embrace the 21st century of globalization where technology continues to transform the method and scope of communication. This inclusive mindset has been the cornerstone of her personal authenticity and work ethics throughout the years. It has helped Dr. Taylor positively influence others in profit and not-for-profit organizations. As a leader and researcher, she inspires others to strengthen their personal foundation of individual values, assumptions, beliefs, and expectations that add value to any organization. The ability to also learn about and understand others who may be different from you are crucial skills in an ever-growing global market.

Organizations benefit from Dr. Taylor’s ability to demonstrate theories and practical experiences while she serves as Guest Lecturer, Keynote Speaker, and Professional Trainer. Dr. Taylor’s positive leadership perspective may help organizations overcome challenges that become future success stories.

Dr. Taylor also serves as the NFHS Project Director which is an external research grant partnership initiative between Butler University and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).  This research has been published in the Journal of Mother Studies  and High School Today magazine (February 2024 , November 2022 , May 2020 ).

Erin has over 25 years in higher education with hands-on experience in Executive Leadership, Academic Program Development, Strategic eLearning program launch,  Project Management, Coaching, Policy & Procedure Administration, Collaborative Management, Market Research, Teaching and Multicultural Education.  Erin also serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Mid-North Food Pantry (www.midnorthfoodpantry.org), actively volunteers, sports enthusiast and is married with two children.