MA in Communication

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Joshua Thompson, 2025

Joshua Thompson

What was your specific area of study and how did you choose it? 

Strategic Communication 

If you completed a dissertation, thesis, or capstone, please tell us about it.  

My research examined the effects of paradox on U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense communication efforts and the resulting media representation and framing of those efforts, using environmental communication as a case study. 

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you? 

The focus on academic research in the CHSS Communication Department challenged me, coming from a career as a public relations and communication practitioner. 

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your George Mason career?  

The guidance of Professors Clark, Craig and Nicotera at the beginning of my first semester both supplied me with essential research skills and vectored my areas of research. Professor Timothy Gibson guided (and cheered on) my final project to completion, with invaluable insight provided by Professors Nicotera and Wright as my secondary readers. 

Britany Sanders, as program coordinator, kept better tabs on my academic progress than I did myself, helped me select which classes would benefit my research focus, and is in general the best sanity check on the extra-stressful days. 

Which accomplishments during your time at George Mason are you most proud of? 

I am incredibly proud of my final project, culminating from multiple semesters of research. Both professional and personal interests intersected in a way that produced actionable data I can utilize in my career in the Air Force going forward. 

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students? 

1. Ask questions. Embrace not knowing. I found the most valuable moments of learning occurred during the volleying of questions back and forth between students and professors. 

2. Apply your research where your passions reside. Studying something you care about fuels research better than the strongest cup of coffee. 

3. Have a favorite study snack, and have it on hand for the long nights of writing. 

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals? 

My immediate next step will be working as a strategic communications planner at the Pentagon, in the Air Force Public Affairs Plans, Strategy & Assessment division. Long-term, I intend to continue serving in the Air Force as a Public Affairs Officer, working on information-related capabilities like strategic communication.