Darin Garard is a tenured professor and the course director for Communication Theory and Communication Research Methods. He has been teaching at Santa Barbara City College since 1998. Dr. Garard earned his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University, where he studied instructional communication, pedagogy, and student learning styles. His current research interests include studying the individual and societal implications of social media, persuasive advertising campaigns, and person-centered message production.
Sarah Alford Hock is a tenured professor and the course director for Introduction to Communication and Mass Media and Society. She has been teaching in the Communication Department since 2000. Prof. Hock has Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication Studies and Spanish from Westmont College and a Master’s Degree in Communication from Pepperdine University. Her research interests include studying current trends in brand management and the micro and macro level impacts of social media in culture. In 2005, Prof. Hock was one of 20 faculty nationwide selected to participate in the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Faculty Program in Hollywood. She is also the Faculty Adviser for the Alpha Beta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Eta Honor Society. SBCC’s Alpha Beta Chapter of Sigma Chi Eta has been awarded National Chapter of the Year four times. In 2016, Prof. Hock was awarded National Faculty Adviser of the Year for her work with Sigma Chi Eta.
Carrie Hutchinson is a tenured professor and the course director for Interpersonal Communication and Leadership in a Global Society. She earned her M.A. from CSU Fullerton with an emphasis in Interpersonal Communication, and her Ph.D. from UC Santa Barbara specializing in Interpersonal and Intergroup Communication. Dr. Hutchinson enjoys exploring communication theory in foreign contexts by leading students on study abroad programs to destinations such as Australia, India, Rwanda, South Africa and Cuba. She also applies her background and training in Communication to her role as a community organizer and activist. Learn more at carriehutchinson.com.
Tina Kistler is a tenured professor and the course director for Intercultural Communication. She has been teaching at City College since 1999. She currently teaches the Intercultural Communication courses but has also taught Small Group, Public Speaking, and Interpersonal Communication. During her tenure at Santa Barbara City College she has led two study two study abroad trips to Australia, served as Faculty Advisor to the Students’ Coalition, a student club focused on activating students in Social Justice projects, served for ten years as Department Chair, and has been actively involved in campus governance. She has worked on many educational and curricular projects across campus and advocates for a student-centric and holistic approach to learning. She is currently activating this approach in her current role as Project Director for iPATH, a General Education Transfer Program which helps students to successfully achieve their transfer goals. Tina earned her B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Dr. Donte Newman teaches COMM 131 Fundamentals of Public Speaking and COMM 235 Argumentation and Debate. He is also the director of the annual Lancaster Speech Tournament. Donte holds a Ph.D. in Communication from American University, a master’s degree in Communication from University at Albany, and a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Texas Southern University. He has served as a teaching assistant and adjunct lecturer for Communication courses ranging from Introduction to Communication Theory to Understanding Media. Donte also holds a certification in Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language. He spent a year working in Guangzhou, China, as a full-time English teacher. Donte’s research interests include investigating the complex intersection between race, social media, and discourse. He has presented original research at conferences such as the International Communication Association and Theorizing the Web.
Rebekah Rodriguez is a professor and the course director for Small Group Communication. She currently teaches Small Group Communication and Public Speaking courses; and she has taught Interpersonal Communication, Argumentation and Debate, and Introduction to Communication. Professor Rodriguez joined the SBCC Communication Department in 2017, after teaching at California State University, Long Beach; and at community colleges in Los Angeles County and Orange County. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach.
Jill Scala is a tenured professor who has taught in the Communication Department since 2002. She teaches classes in Interpersonal Communication and Communication in Organizations. She holds a B.A. degree in Communication Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.A. degree in Dispute Resolution from the Pepperdine University School of Law. Jill brings to her classes a background in business coaching and professional development. Her teaching and research interests include adult learning, conflict resolution and organizational communication.