Chengyu Fang (MA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) is a PhD candidate in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a first-generation college student who graduated with a BA degree in Communication and Sociology as well as a BS in Psychology. Chengyu's research focuses on how the use and adoption of emerging technologies such as algorithmic technologies, exoskeletons, and, most recently, generative AI impact our existing collaborative relationships, work practices, teams, organizations, and institutions. His work utilizes both qualitative and quantitative methods and takes a grounded, constitutive approach to understanding technology and organizing. Chengyu has taught several organizational communication and introductory communication classes. His work has been presented in national and international conferences and has been published in journals such as Management, Communication Quarterly, Communication Research, and Human-Machine Communication. Chengyu is also a co-chair of Beyond Academic conference at UCSB.

America L. Edwards is currently finishing her dissertation, under Dr. Tammy Afifi, which examines the relationship between chronic stress (cortisol), technology, and relationship maintenance between mothers and their daughters while they are away at college and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic on their own. She intends to finish her dissertation by December 2023 as she's accepted a post-doc at Michigan State University and is on the tenure-track job market for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Carmen's research seeks to understand ways to improve individuals' mental health and well-being outcomes. She came to UCSB with a history of studying technological interventions for enhancing mental health treatment. More recently, she has begun to look at the impacts of trauma and uncertainty on individuals' social behaviors and psychological health.

Casey is a Santa Barbara native who has worked at UCSB since 2009. She has experience as an undergraduate advisor and student affairs manager from the Psychological & Brain Sciences Department, and academic programs manager at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. Most recently, she has been a policy analyst in the Academic Senate, serving both the Council on Faculty Welfare, Academic Freedom and Awards, as well as the Council on Research and Instructional Resources. She has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Columbia University. Her hobbies include cooking (and being a foodie in general), gardening, going on walks, and lap swimming.

As Business Officer, Casey provides management support to the Chair, and establishes and implements administrative objectives and policies for the department. Her responsibilities include academic administration and support, purchasing and financial management, staff oversight, and facilities management. She works closely with the Chair and student affairs staff on department curriculum planning.

Graham Glass is a third-year Communication major from Savannah, Georgia, expecting to graduate in 2025. Graham has always had a passion and fascination for Media Relations, Publicity, and Music. He plans to expand his knowledge of the field through his Social Media internship with the Communication department and through his position as the Publicity Coordinator on the UCSB AS Program Board. In his free time, Graham enjoys snowboarding, mixing and discovering new music, and going on runs through his beautiful home of Santa Barbara.

Sal is a UCSB alum from the class of 2021. He graduated with B.A.s in Sociology and Chicano/a Studies and minors in LGBTQ+ Studies and Applied Psychology. He is honored to return to UCSB as an Undergraduate Academic Advisor for the Communication Department. He was a transfer student from Santa Barbara City College (SBCC). While studying at SBCC and working as a Peer Mentor for incoming students, Sal became passionate in advocating for underrepresented and marginalized college students. After transferring to UCSB, he was part of the Transfer Student Center and the Educational Opportunity Program, volunteered for CALPIRG and gained research experience working with elementary school students for the department of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology. Sal is a proud son to a single, immigrant mother from Michoacan, Mexico. He moved to the U.S. in 2014 in hopes of achieving a better life and better educational opportunities. He enjoys painting, exercising, exploring new cultures, traveling to new places, and listening to Latin music and female Hip-Hop. He hopes to pursue and attain a Masters in School Counseling for Higher Education. He is particularly interested in helping first-gen students overcome some of the many challenges he experienced navigating the complex higher education system. 

One of two undergraduate advisors, Sal provides individual academic advising to 1800+ pre- and full- majors in Communication. He advises students and faculty on all aspects of undergraduate affairs (i.e. major requirements, academic planning, course requirements, academic problems, transfer coursework, independent studies, internship opportunities and graduation, etc.). He processes student petitions as needed, interfaces with
other advising offices, and works as a leading team member with student peer advisors. He communicate colleges policies to students and provides input to the Student Affairs Manager, Department Chair, and the Undergraduate Affairs Committee regarding a wide variety of issues affecting students.

Michelle is the Financial Assistant for the Department of Communication, where she started in February 2011. She began her career at UCSB in July 2008 as a limited employee in the Early Academic Outreach Department as an Administrative Assistant. Prior to UCSB, she worked for 20 years as the Chief Financial Officer for our family owned construction company now operated by her husband, son, and daughter in the Northern Santa Barbara County area. She has been married since 1979 and has three grown children and five grandchildren, all living within two miles in the Lompoc area. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and serves on the Hospitality Team at her church, participating in community events throughout the year. Her grandchildren keep her busy with all of their various sporting events. She also enjoys family vacations each year along with birthday and holiday celebrations. She and her husband and enjoy traveling and plan to do a lot more of it when they both retire.

As the Financial Assistant, Michelle manages accounts for the department, including Faculty Start-up/Retention, ASEN, FRAP & Misc. Grant Funding for Faculty & Grad Students. She is the primary Flexcard Purchaser for all department discretionary and faculty funds including equipment, books, supplies, human subject payments, memberships, etc. and assists faculty processing travel and entertainment reimbursement requests in Concur. She also is the department timekeeper, including user setup and timecard approval in Kronos. She provides high level oversight for departmental special events and space logistics.