The Department of Mass Media is a vibrant community powered by passionate educators, creative thinkers, and media professionals. We invite you to get to know the faces behind SEMO’s Mass Media program. From their favorite parts of teaching to quirky weekend hobbies, these snapshots reveal what makes each of them uniquely inspiring to the students they serve.
Dr. Buck is a professor and the chair of the mass media department. Dr. Buck is also the multimedia journalism academic coordinator. 
Something she enjoys about the students at SEMO: “I have high confidence in myself, my peers and my students. I love modeling that confidence in my teaching and in my expectations for my students, because it gives them a performance benchmark and enables them to trust their own competency. They sometimes surprise themselves, but they almost never surprise me.”
Gary Sprenger is the administrative assistant for mass media.
A fun fact: “On the weekends I like to work on a tractor that I’m restoring or on a deck that I’m adding onto my house. I love to grill outside or cook inside, and I love to garden.”
Dr. Hollerbach is the option coordinator for advertising and public relations and a professor of media history, media diversity, and media analytics.
Something that she enjoys about SEMO: “I enjoy introducing advertising and public relations students to what adverting and promotion is really all about.”
Fred Jones has an area of expertise in filmmaking and is a professor in TV and film.
A fun fact: “My wife and I recently completed our first feature film, titled “Sugarhouse,” which will be released this fall.”
Siyan Li is an assistant professor in media management. She has completed research centering strategic communication and how message design and platform affordances on digital media influence persuasive effectiveness.
Something that she enjoys about SEMO: “I love working with students and helping them pursue their passions. It’s especially rewarding to see them make progress in their learning. SEMO is a vibrant and welcoming campus, where everyone can find their own place.”
Emmanuel Maduneme is a professor in digital and multimedia journalism. He has more than eight years of experience in radio and television broadcasting, production, and digital storytelling across major media markets in the United States and Nigeria.
Something he enjoys about students: “I really enjoy collaborating with students rather than just always teaching them. I sometimes learn as much from them as they do from me.”
Sam Pfeijda is a professor in media management. She has experience in strategic writing, social change campaign development, and advertising research. Sam is also the faculty advisor for SEMO’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
A fun fact: “I started out my time in higher education as a music major! While I switched directions after finishing undergrad, I still love making music by playing my violin or singing in choirs.”
Anthony Scherer is a professor in TV and film. His background is in multi-camera live production and has worked with SEMO Athletics to produce ESPN+ productions.
Something he enjoys about students: “I enjoy seeing how proud the students are of their work. When you see how much work they put into a project and then receive validation of their hard work, it’s very rewarding. They can do the work professionally because they have the skills to do it.”
Mike Simmons is an instructor of advertising and public relations, along with the SE Creative advisor.
A fun fact: “When I came to SEMO in the early 1980s, I intended to be a music educator major but changed my mind to go into business. After working professionally for over 25 years, guess where I wound up? In a classroom, teaching. Life is funny sometimes.”