I am an Emmy-winning writer and communication professor, specializing in digital and traditional content creation, public relations, film, media, and popular culture. Before joining my university I spent ten years in the television industry as a news producer, reporter, and videographer. As a public relations manager, I steered my university through record low enrollment, the removal of a president, and the selection of its first lay president. I’m proud of my record of leadership and collaboration while serving the university in that role. As a communication professor, I served as Interim Chair of the Division of Fine Arts & Communcation. I hosted or collaborated on dozens of campus events, and authored several grants, including a nearly half-million dollar grant to create the state-of-the-art Quincy University Broadcast Center.
I also freelance as an author, podcast creator, and multimedia artist. My podcasts, books, research, writing samples, and a few of my multimedia projects can be found on this website, organized by the tabs at the top of the page.
Ever the auteur, even back in the ’80s Tombola premiere, 2016
I view film as the ultimate medium, where visual arts, sound, performance, and audience participation come together to create a beautiful dance that began long ago with Fred Ott’s Record of a Sneeze (historians continue to debate the first “film” ever made, but this was the first to be copyrighted) and continues today, where short indies and Hollywood blockbusters alike have the power to capture our hearts and minds. I hold no bias when it comes to the world of film, as I enjoy a cheesy ’80s movie as much as a revered classic or thought-provoking contemporary tale. And despite my irrational fear of zombies, I can’t get enough of the genre. I know they’re coming…it’s only a matter of time.
Education
Arizona State University
M.A.S. American Media and Popular Culture
Quincy University
M.S.E. Educational Leadership
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
B.A. Mass Communication and Media Arts, Radio-Television
Professional Activities, Honors and Awards
- Emmy Award, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Best Writer, 2006
- AVID Systems Trainer, AVID certification, 2005
- Coleman Foundation Faculty Entrepreneurship Fellows Program 2010-2014
- Excellence in Master of Education Award, Quincy University School of Education, 2009
- Quincy Herald-Whig 20 Under 40 selection, 2009
- Accolade Competition Award of Merit, Pilot Series/Program category, 2011
- 2015 Page International Screenwriting Competition Quarterfinalist (Tombola)
- Member of National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
- Member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association
- Member of Young Professionals Quincy
- Big Dam Film Festival committee member 2007-2013
- Regional Summit on Violence committee member 2006-2009
Courses Taught
- COM 101 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
- Com 200 Understanding Media
- Com 201 Film Appreciation
- Com 354 Gender and Film
- Com 361 Principles of Performance
- Com 367 Television Broadcast Practicum
- Com 369 Fundamentals of Film and Screenwriting
- COM 370 Producing & Studio Production
- Com 381 Principles of Public Relations
- Com 383 Public Relations Campaigns
- COM 387 Advanced Field Production
- Com 389 Client-Based Video Production
- FNM 200 History & Theory of Cinema
- FNM 220 Working in Hollywood
- FNM 354 Cultural Representation in Film
- FYE 100 My Father Was Right: Your Changing Perspective
- FYE 100 Pop Culture in Communication
- INT 390 Internship & Entrepreneurship
- SYE 400 Senior Year Experience
- COM 515 Communication for Change
- COM 550 Digital Video I
Travis C. Yates 