Faculty and Staff

Stephanie Frasier

Mrs. Stephanie Frasier

Professor of Communication and Department Chair

212-A, Hyde Hall
812-488-1003
sf47@evansville.edu

Stephanie Frasier earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Indiana State University and a Bachelor of Science in Art with an emphasis in graphic design from the University of Evansville. She is a Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication.

While a student at UE, Professor Frasier interned at an agency that offered her a full-time position. Upon graduation, she worked her way through several advertising agencies up to the level of Senior Art Director. During her agency employment she worked on national and international accounts such as Microsoft, Motorola, Mead Johnson/Bristol Myers, Kimball International, Papa Johns, and many others. Her work has won numerous awards including a prestigious Addy Certificate of Excellence before returning to UE in 2001 to teach.

As a Visual Communication Design Educator, Professor Frasier has over 29 years of graphic design industry experience (agency and freelance) as a designer, photographer, artist and illustrator. She teaches undergraduate design students by engaging them in an environment focusing on real-world problems that encourage effective, creative and innovative solutions. In 2017 she received the Dean's Teaching Award.

As an artist, Professor Frasier is an award-winning photographer and illustrator who manipulates her images in various computer programs. She also experiments with a variety of printing methods. Her work is included in many juried exhibitions and private collections. Some of her recognitions include “Best of Show” 2010 Olive Tree Arts Exhibition and “1st Place Photography” 2011 Inspired Women in Art Southwestern Indiana Arts Council Exhibition. She also remains very active professionally through her freelance design business, where she produces work mostly for non-profit organizations.
Joe Atkinson

Mr. Joe Atkinson, M’10

(he/him/his)

Adjunct/Communication

Room 212 B, Hyde Hall
812-488-2562
ja122@evansville.edu

Joe Atkinson earned his Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University, his Master of Public Service Administration from the University of Evansville, and his Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Stage & Screen at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He began his professional career at the Evansville Courier & Press before joining the University of Evansville in 2007 as Director of News Services. After also serving as UE's Director of Digital Media, Atkinson joined the Department of Communication faculty in 2015. During his time on the faculty, he has co-produced (alongside Professor of History Dr. James MacLeod) the WNIN Tri-State Public Media documentary series Evansville at War, and has earned two Ohio Valley Emmy Award nominations - one for producing the five-episode documentary series Epidemic: Addiction in Middle America, and the other for producing the documentary feature film From the Ashes: The University of Evansville Purple Aces.
Boitshepo Balozwi

Dr. Boitshepo Balozwi

Assistant Professor/Communication

Room 212C, Hyde Hall
bb419@evansville.edu

Dr. Boitshepo Balozwi is a media sociology, media ethics and public health communication expert. Her initial degree in film and TV production was gained from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT, Australia). Through a Fulbright scholarship, she earned her MA in Journalism from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) and completed her doctorate degree from the Missouri School of Journalism. Dr. Balozwi is from Botswana where her professional background includes serving as a corporate wellness coordinator for Scania Botswana and a manager for Women in News (WIN), a regional non-profit. Her media roles include serving as an on-air presenter and editor for Gabz FM radio, freelancing as a women’s health and HIV reporter and working as the editor for The Midweek Sun newspaper and Flair magazine. Balozwi manages a Facebook page titled ‘HIV Health News and Updates’ and a YouTube channel - platforms of which she uses to advocate and raise awareness on the social determinants of health making our communities unhealthy. When she is not being creative, she loves to take walks and try out new food.
Tommy Housman

Mr. Tommy Housman

Clinical Assistant Professor of Communications | Student Media Advisor

812-488-2166
th208@evansville.edu

Evansville native and University of Evansville alumnus Tommy J. Housman has worked in art, design, media production, and visual communication for two decades, specializing in graphic design, photography, motion graphics, web design, video production, illustration, and marketing. His work has increasingly evolved toward critical media studies, technology, storytelling, and social impact.

Housman serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Communications and Student Media Advisor at University of Evansville, where he leads collaborative student-driven media production across journalism, podcasting, film, radio, and digital publishing. His work emphasizes experiential learning, public-facing storytelling, media literacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

His academic and creative focus centers on critical media and technology, particularly the ways storytelling, media systems, and emerging technologies shape public understanding, civic engagement, identity, memory, and social power. Through documentary work, narrative media production, and partnerships with the Center for Innovation & Change, Housman has helped lead multiple ChangeLab initiatives focused on social impact, community engagement, and storytelling as a form of social action.

Keith Leonhardt

Mr. Keith Leonhardt, ’89

Executive in Residence and Director of EmbrACE Marketing & Communications

Room 216, Hyde Hall
812-457-0864
kl150@evansville.edu

Keith Leonhardt is a seasoned communications and marketing executive with a history of collaborating with the University of Evansville. As Executive in Residence and Director of EmbrACE Marketing & Communications he mentors students in applied marketing, creative strategy, and professional development. Through this role, he bridges industry practice with real-world learning, helping prepare aspiring communicators for careers in media, marketing, and business. Keith’s combination of executive leadership and educational engagement underscores his passion for advancing both business success and the next generation of communication professionals.

Previously, he served in the roles of Chief of Staff and Vice President of Communications, Public Relations, and Customer Experience at MetroNet, one of the nation's fastest growing fiber-optic internet providers. Prior to his role at MetroNet, Keith built broad experience in communications, advertising, and agency leadership — including serving as president of marketing and PR firm, Fire & Rain — shaping his expertise in integrated marketing and corporate communication. His professional journey reflects a strong commitment to strategic storytelling and using voice-of-customer to drive business success.

Jon Robertson

Mr. Jon Robertson

Visiting Professor, Sound Engineer/Instructor of Sound

Room 212E, Hyde Hall
812-488-1158
jr462@evansville.edu

Jon Robertson, sound designer and composer, honed his skills during the pandemic to improve online audio collaboration. In 2021, he co-created the audio tool, Tutti Remote, facilitating global audio syncing for performers. His work spans theatrical productions, films, and radio plays, earning recognition at festivals like New Music Gathering and Kansas City Fringe. He co-created the radio series Kansas City: 1924 which won a 2021 Hometown Media Award. An educator at heart, Jon currently teaches at the University of Evansville and boasts degrees from UMKC and the University of Arizona. He has previously taught as an adjunct professor at the Kansas City Art Institute, UMKC, and Missouri Western State University.
Dean Thomlison

Dr. Dean Thomlison

Professor Emeritus

Room 224B, Hyde Hall
812-488-1031
dt4@evansville.edu

Simply put, Dr. Dean Thomlison enjoys people. His enjoyment of human interaction led him to an illustrious career as an educator, consultant, mediator and trainer. He is a nationally-recognized expert in interpersonal communication. In his more than 35 years of university teaching experience he authored and contributed to several texts and numerous scholarly articles. As a Kellogg National Leadership Fellow, Dr. Thomlison studied intercultural communication in multinational corporations, institutes, and governments throughout the world. He completed post-doctoral training at the Intercultural Training Institute at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.