We’re excited to introduce our four new faculty members and one new staff member joining the College of Journalism and Mass Communications this year. Joining us are Assistant Professors of Advertising and Public Relations Michael Hanus and Brandon Nutting, Visual Communications Professors of Practice Octavio Kano-Galvan and Katie Krcmarik and Career Development Specialist Courtney Pearson.
Michael Hanus
Michael Hanus recently completed his Ph.D. in Communication at The Ohio State University and is very excited to join the faculty in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln this fall. He has done research on gamification, online dating, customization, video games and motivation and specializes in using new, interactive technology to create more effective persuasive messages.
Hanus will be teaching a section of ADPR 221: Strategic Writing and a section of ADPR 283: Strategy Development this semester. He can be found in Room 307.
Brandon Nutting
Brandon Nutting received his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University and focuses his research on the cognitive processing of mediated messages, specifically the role of time perception and how it relates to media narratives. Prior to his academic career, he was an on-air commentator and sales representative for a radio station in Texas. When he’s not in the building, he can be found running, biking and attempting to swim.
Nutting will be teaching a section of ADPR 151: Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations and the in-person section of ADPR 434: Digital Insights and Analytics. He can be found in Room 318.
Octavio Kano-Galvan
Octavio Kano has over 20 years of experience in the creative industry, an international background and formal education in the visual arts. Throughout his career in the visual communication field, Kano has developed and implemented responsive and interactive multimedia designs and advertising campaigns that include print media, art direction, photography, 3D motion graphics and social media. His work has benefitted numerous non-profit and for-profit organizations such as the Boston Children's Hospital, the Consumer Electronics Association, Plato Learning Inc., Best Buy and Blue Cross Blue Shields of Minnesota. In addition, Kano has had several solo photography exhibits in the U.S. and abroad. Octavio's creative work can been viewed at http://www.behance.net/kanostudio
In his free time, he enjoys swimming, gardening, cooking and traveling with his wife, Sonia, and 8-year-old son, Yaniv.
Kano will be teaching in the new visual communications program. He can be found in Room 232.
Katie Krcmarik
Katie Krcmarik has worked as both a graphic designer and educator for the past 17 years. She has worked in a variety of design positions in a studio, in-house for a variety of companies and as a freelance graphic designer. Prior to coming to UNL, she taught graphic design at Mott Community College for 11 years as an adjunct faculty member in the Fine Arts and Social Sciences Department.
Krcmarik earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wayne State University in Detroit in studio art with a concentration in graphic design. She completed graduate work toward a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Michigan State University and finished a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from Michigan State University in December 2014. She’s currently working on a Master of Fine Arts in graphic design through the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Krcmarik has worked as a graphic designer for the past 17 years for a variety of companies and continues to actively work as a graphic designer in print, web and video. Her clients have included John Deere Landscapes, Weight Watchers, the Michigan Education Association, Faith Catholic and many other local clients. She has also participated in the AIGA, a leading design association, including most recently as the Education Director for the Detroit chapter.
In her spare time, Krcmarik likes screen and letterpress print and more recently took up sculpture. Her work was recently featured in the 2016 Annual Great Lakes Regional Community College Exhibition and will be featured at Art Prize in September and October. She is also an avid baker as her former students and coworkers can attest to.
Krcmarik will be teaching in the new visual communications program. She can be found in the new office on the lower level.
Courtney Pearson
Pearson graduated with her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and graduated with her master’s degree in student affairs administration in higher education from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. While doing her graduate work, Pearson worked in Career Services where she advised students on crafting resumes and cover letters, and she conducted mock interviews to prepare students for internship and job interviews. As the Career Development Specialist, she’s ecstatic to be sharing her love of career development with students as they begin their professional journey.
In her free time, Pearson loves to go for long runs, try new recipes off Pinterest and cheer on the Packers. She’s excited to join the team in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and learn all things Huskers. Go Big Red!