PhD in Communication

Kimberly Alleyne, 2025

I am a former journalist who transitioned to the communication field. I live in Northern Virginia and am originally from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I found my "tribe" during my time at George Mason and made several lifelong friendships.

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

I chose to study health communication because I grew up in an area that was greatly affected by health and environmental disparities and inequities. So, I was always curious about the social and environmental factors that affect health outcomes and how the stories and narratives about those outcomes come to be. 

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

My dissertation research focused on the connection between language and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Black Americans who lived in the Washington, D.C. region (D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia). Specifically, I studied frames about COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine hesitancy in D.C. television news media coverage and how Black Americans interpreted those news messages. 

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

I am grateful for having been exposed to many different perspectives--on academic and social levels--, all which enhanced my learning and made me a more curious and compassionate scholar. I appreciated the opportunity to learn alongside students from other CHSS programs because it enriched my learning experience. 

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

Professor Richard Craig was my advisor and dissertation committee chair, and I also took several courses from him. Professor Craig is a gifted teacher, professor, and advisor. Throughout my George Mason career, I found him to be a fount of knowledge and wisdom. Also, Professor Craig was supportive, transparent, and he encouraged me when I doubted myself. 

Professor Tim Gibson was a member of my dissertation committee. He was generous with his knowledge and brilliance. He challenged me to view my ideas from another perspective, and in doing so, led me to expand my thinking and understanding about various theories. He held me to a high standard of excellence that will continue to serve me in my academic career. 

Why did you choose George Mason for your graduate studies? 

I chose George Mason because of its communication school's outstanding reputation, its health communication concentration, and its stellar faculty. I decided to apply to George Mason's program several years before I applied; I did not apply to any other PhD programs. 

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

I am most proud of completing the program! There were many tough moments and opportunities to quit along the way, but I did not. 

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

Stay curious, believe that you belong here, and understand that relationships are a valuable currency, so nurture them well. 

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

I am pursuing a career in academia as a communication professor. I hope to specialize in health and media communication. I aim to expand on my dissertation research on language, framing in news media, and how communities interpret news messages. I also am very interested in the connection between news media power and health narratives.