Wooster Resident Presents Research at Regional Communication Conference

2016 Apr 5

Ashland University sophomore Hannah Wiles presented research at the 107th annual Eastern Communication Association (ECA) conference this past weekend in Baltimore, Md.

ECA is the eastern regional conference in communication that has a history of achievement in research, criticism, communication, theory and excellence in teaching. It is the oldest professional communication association in the United States.

Wiles, from Wooster, Ohio, is double majoring in biology and health and risk communication. She is the daughter of Robert and Connie, and is a 2014 graduate of Smithville High School.

Wiles created a poster to outline her research that she completed in a class at Ashland. Her research was titled, "Linking Health Literacy to Health Communication Behavior: A Pilot Study."

In addition to her involvement in the department, Wiles is heavily involved on Ashland's campus. She is the social media intern at AU and a member of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) organization. Her honors include Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society and Beta Beta Beta Honor Society.

This was the first regional conference at which Wiles presented, but she will be presenting research at AU's Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium later this year.

"Presenting research at conferences is a vital teaching tool and professional experience for students. The skills they develop directly correlate to securing professional positions upon graduation," said Dr. Theodore Avtgis, chair of the department. "The AU Department of Communication Studies emphasizes a culture of scholarship that translates to Ashland University students and faculty being well represented at state, regional and national conferences."

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2016, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.