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SHAWNA DIAS, PH.D.

Detail-oriented market researcher and public relations educator and practitioner.  Provides clients with critical intelligence and strategic direction for mitigating risks, program development, and gaining new business.

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)                     

SENIOR RESEARCHER, CORPORATE QUALITATIVE AND SECONDARY RESEARCH
HANOVER RESEARCH COUNCIL
DECEMBER 2021 - PRESENT

  • Help clarify client needs and translate them into research design protocols

  • Manage the execution of research projects using a variety of qualitative and secondary methodologies

  • Conduct data analysis and design and edit project reports that answer client’s research questions and provide actionable recommendations for refining their business strategies

  • Assist content directors in presenting and explaining research findings on delivery calls

  • Assisting in the development of an internal AI system for research protocol design, analysis, and reporting via pilot testing

  • Experiment with new workflow methodologies and provide advisement to senior leadership on process innovation

  • Recognized as an expert in qualitative research for finance/budgeting, program design, and industrial technology, particularly projects in the clean energy and artificial intelligence (AI) markets

  • Train and mentor junior research staff, edit their reports, and provide them with guidance and constructive feedback on their work

  • Assist with the cross-training of tenured staff seeking to learn new research methodologies and AI technology

COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTOR
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
AUGUST 2018 - JULY 2021

  • Served as an instructor teaching upper-level undergraduate public relations writing, social media content creation, and oral presentation courses

  • Produced qualitative and quantitative research on strategic communication planning, corporate social responsibility, health communication, organizational leadership, and crisis communication

  • Advised on and supported DEIB initiatives and programs at the university

  • Devised a social media and PR campaign for the Maryland Higher Education Commission, a university partner, that focused on promoting new financial aid programs for DACA and undocumented high school and undergraduate students

  • Administered the SONA research database and created and presented quarterly reports on research participation within the department

  • Served on several institutional advisement boards and budgeting and governance committees

REGIONAL VOLUNTEER AND PARTNER ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF MASSACHUSETTS
AUGUST 2011- JULY 2018

  • Managed volunteer engagement, recognition initiatives, and award events. Ensured proper onboarding, training, and integration of new volunteers. Supervised a team of technical support volunteers

  • Engaged local media and developed partnerships with other nonprofits, universities, government agencies, and corporations to provide financial, logistical, and staff resources for national disaster recovery operations

  • Planned, developed, and executed strategic social media and grassroots PR campaigns. Controlled budgets, wrote grant proposals, and raised funds for volunteer programs and biomedical services

  • Authored press releases, town hall speaking points, and all internal communication with 1600+ member volunteer workforce

  • Mentored traditionally underserved youth and supported their personal and professional development. Onboarded more than 1,300 new volunteers and increased the number of Red Cross Youth Clubs in Massachusetts by 76%, through successful social media recruitment campaigns

GLOBAL TRADE ANALYST
JPMORGAN CHASE
FEBRUARY 2008 - MARCH 2009

  • Tracked and reviewed international shipping invoices and import documentation to ensure timely delivery of mechanical parts to client factories

  • Maintained referrals database 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

  • 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.

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

McDermott, V., Dias, S., & Anderson, L. B. (2024). Respect or ambivalence: interpreting student perceptions of inclusivity/exclusivity in a four-year predominately white institution. Communication Education, 73(3), 282–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2024.2367426

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Dias, S. & RW, R. (2023). A qualitative inquiry into the role of communication in reputation management during compounding health crises. Kaleidoscope, 21(1), 155-170. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/kaleidoscope/vol21/iss1/12

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Dias, Shawna and RW, Romy (2023) "Investigating the Effects of Message Framing on College Students' Risk Perceptions and Protective Responses to Adenovirus," Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research: Vol. 21, Article 7. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/kaleidoscope/vol21/iss1/7

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Dias, S., & Wang, X. (Romy). (2021). Exploring participants’ experiences of mental health and stigma in American colleges. Journal of American College Health, 71(7), 2074–2084. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1954652

BOOK PUBLICATIONS

Dias, S., & Wang, X. (Publication scheduled August 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

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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.

PUBLISHED DISSERTATION

Dias, S. L. (2023). # IsolatedNotAlone During COVID-19: Extending the Situational Theory of Problem Solving to Online Abuse Intervention Campaigns (Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland, College Park).

 #IsolatedNotAlone During COVID-19: Extending the Situational Theory of Problem Solving to Online Abuse Intervention Campaigns - ProQuest

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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