Associate Professor of Communication and Digital Studies
Director of the Speaking Intensive Program
Education
- Ph.D., Mass Communication and Media Studies, Howard University
- M.A., Communication, Virginia Tech
- B.A., Communication Studies, Longwood University
Biography
Adria Goldman’s research explores the intersectionality of race, gender, culture and its connection to communication and media. She enjoys examining media’s impact on perceptions, construction of identity, social relationships, and belief systems. Moreover, Dr. Goldman seeks to identify the complex relationship between media producers and consumers, while considering factors such as the role of ownership, media convergence, representations, race/class/gender, and ideologies. Dr. Goldman’s previous research has explored representations of Black women in television (specifically the reality genre), film, hip-hop, and social media. Her current work dissects media presentations of female sexuality for women of color.
Dr. Goldman constantly seeks innovative ways to merge her research interests in the classroom. She has taught introductory communication courses (ex: Human Communication, interpersonal), media courses (ex: Media & Society), organizational communication, and public relations. In all of her courses, students are challenged to consider how media impact our understanding of communication.
Selected and Recent Publications
Books
Goldman, Adria Y., et al., editors. Insecure, Awkward, and #Winning: Intersectionality of Race, Gender, and Sexuality in the Works of Issa Rae. Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers, 2023.
Goldman, Adria Y., and Damion Waymer. Black Women in Reality Television Docusoaps: A New Form of Representation or Depictions as Usual? Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers, 2015.
Wright, J. K., Ford, V., & Goldman, A., Eds.. “I Gotta Testify: Kanye West, Hip Hop, and the Church” [Special Issue]. The Journal of Hip Hop Studies, 6:1, 2019.
Chapters and Articles
Goldman, A. (2023). “My Ho-tation, My Rules: Discussing New Sex Scripts for Black Women” in insecure in Insecure, Awkward, and Winning: Intersectionality of Race, Gender, and Sexuality in the Works of Issa Rae, edited by A. Goldman, J. Jenkins, A. Nicholson, and L. Sanders-Senu. Peter Lang Publishing, 2023.
Goldman, A. (2021). “Reflections of a Professor: College Professors as Intellectual Leaders and Intellectual Activists” in Gordon State College’s 2021 Teaching Matters Conference e-Book: Providing Engaging, Inclusive, and Equitable Instruction.
Goldman, A. (2016). “Is She Strong or Just a B!@*#? De-Constructing the Black Bad Girl Image in Reality Television” in Black Women’s Portrayals on Reality Television: The New Sapphire, edited by D. Allison. Lexington Books.
Conference Participation
Panel, Social Media and the Changing Current of Health Messaging and Debates. Presented at the 115th annual convention of the Eastern Communication Association in March 2024.
Panel, Conversations on Sexual Freedom: A Paper Session Exploring Sexuality and Sexual Freedom for Historically Marginalized Communities. Presented at the 109th annual convention of the National Communication Association in November 2023.
Panel, Collaborative Team-Based and Experiential Learning as a Path to Student Innovation in Communication. Presented at the 114th annual convention of the Eastern Communication Association in March 2023.
Panel, Cringe Benefits: Innovative Pedagogy and the Intersectional Digital Rhetorics of “The Slap” at the 2022 Academy Awards. Presented at the 114th annual convention of the Eastern Communication Association in March 2023.
Co-Presenter, Transformational Pedagogy: Intellectual Activism and Transgressive Critical Thinking in Communication and Literature Classrooms. Presented at Gordon State College’s Teaching Matters Conference in March 2022.
Paper Session, “You Can’t Call Them Crazy”: Framing and Considerations of Gender, Sexuality, and Mental Health in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Presented at the 106 th annual convention of the National Communication Association in November 2020.
Interviews and Invited Talks
March 2022, Black Girl Empowerment, Panelist, Black Women and Mental Health? Invited by Brittany Wynn, founder of Black Girl Empowerment.
January 2022, The Center for Micro-Entrepreneurial Training (CMET) Virtual Training Series,
Presenter, Communication Meets “The Digital.” Invited by Joseph Simmons, founder of CMET.
June 2021, Quoted in article, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians: 8 Ways One Family Became a Hot Topic” in BBC World Service, by Amelia Butterly.
December 2020, Black Girl Empowerment, Panelist. Black Women’s Conversations: A Talk About Black Women with Black Women. Invited by Brittany Wynn, founder of Black Girl Empowerment.
July 2020, Black Girl Empowerment, Panelist, Black Women’s Mental Health: How Are You Coping? Invited by Brittany Wynn, founder of Black Girl Empowerment.
COMM 205: Public Speaking
Study of the basic principles of public address. Emphasis is on developing a theoretical and practical understanding of oral communication through practice in preparing, delivering, and criticizing speeches in class.
COMM 206: Small Group Communication
Study of the theories and principles of effective communication and decision making in small group contexts. Emphasis is on understanding communication capabilities as a participant in and leader of small groups.
COMM 340: Introduction to Rhetoric and Communication
Introduction to human communication studies, focusing on the history, theory, criticism and mediation of persuasive messages to discover their roles in human society, culture, and contemporary life.
COMM 341: Communication Research Methods
This course introduces students to the study of the qualitative, quantitative, and rhetorical methods used to conduct communication research. Topics covered include research design, data collection, data analysis, and a review of the major sources for publication of academic and professional research in communication. Students will complete a communication research project and present their results.
COMM 381: Hip-Hop Culture
The course explores hip-hop culture considering the four foundational elements of hip hop—emcees, DJs, breakdancing and graffiti—and beyond. Students will critically engage with hip hop to understand its workings as a culture, as well as the impact of race, class, gender, sex, and other elements of cultural identity.
COMM 460: Seminar in Digital Rhetoric
Study of the contemporary function of rhetoric in the context of our globally networked society.