Faculty Spotlight
Melody Fisher
by: Greta Allen, PR student intern
Melody Fisher is a native of Jackson, Miss., and has been a part of MSU’s Communication Department for eight years. Dr. Fisher received a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Public Relations from Tougaloo College. She received her Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Southern Mississippi. During her time in the MSU Communication Department, she has taught Public Relations Case Problems, Public Relations Writing, and Public Relations in Organizations.
Dr. Fisher’s favorite part about working in the communication field is that communication is limitless and the skills you learn here are transferable to any field. She shares that everyone needs to communicate to survive so it's nice to know what she does is necessary.
Sarah Colvert, a current communication graduate student, had this to say about Dr. Fisher, “Dr. Fisher's mentorship and encouragement was a large part of my decision to pursue my master's degree at Mississippi State in the Communication Graduate Program. Her dedication to her own research area, the future success of the program, and to each individual student's personal academic journey are just a few of the reasons I aspire to take after her and continue my higher education. During my time as an intern under Dr. Fisher, I was able to see a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes elements to the program, which only confirmed my decision to apply that much more. With her mentorship and encouragement of my future success, I was confident in taking the next step in pursuing my professional career.”
Favorite memory in the Department of Communication?
My first Department holiday gathering - it was nice to have everyone in the same place enjoying each others company away from campus.
Best advice for communication students?
Be attentive and curious to not only your professors, but your classmates too. We all learn from one another, so soak up information from all sources.
Any funny stories from McComas?
None that I want to share publicly :)
If you didn’t work in communication, what could you see yourself doing?
Counseling
Favorite part of being a professor?
I enjoy witnessing students realize their potential--whether it's an aha moment in the classroom, or them emailing to tell me they've received their first full-time position.
If you could only watch one film for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Love Jones--it is such an unconventional love story, yet realistic.
What’s your favorite spot in Starkville?
I love to sit in the Courtyard between Oak and Dogwood Halls I enjoy people watching.
How do you spend your free time?
Sitting outside enjoying nature.
Do you have human or furry children?
One son who is a high school junior.
What is your favorite location you have ever traveled to and why?
My grandparent’s house in Utica, MS. They had several acres of land and there was always something new to explore each time my brother, cousins and I would visit. It was my definition of a resort--everything was at our disposal. We ate off the land and had awaiting adventures.