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
DECEMBERÂ 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).
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