Dr. Amanda Jo Ratcliff, professor in the TJC Department of Communication Studies, was recently named editor of the Texas Speech Communication Journal (TSCJ) and will serve a three-year term.
She is the publication’s first editor in its 45-year history to represent a two-year college.
Published annually by the Texas Speech Communication Association, the journal consists of original research from scholars in the field of communication. Submissions are selected through a blind, peer-review process; and entries are accepted from across the nation.
“In a time of societal division that often promotes feelings over facts, intellectually honest scholarship must be preserved in order to maintain or, in some instances, re-establish the credibility of the academy,” Ratcliff said.
She continued, “Scholars must commit to eschew the echo chambers that entice us with reinforcement of our own worldview, and embrace the free and open exchange of ideas, which is the hallmark of education. Academic journals are an integral part of that marketplace of ideas. It is an honor to have been selected as editor of the TSCJ.”
A native of Troup, Ratcliff is in her 16th year of teaching in higher education. She is in her sixth year at TJC, where she teaches business and professional speaking, public speaking and introduction to communication.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in speech communication from The University of Texas at Tyler, a Master of Science in communication studies from the University of North Texas, and a Ph.D. in strategic communication from Regent University.