Caroline E. Sawyer, PhD

I am an award-winning producer, associate professor, and director of the Sand Shark Center for Innovative Media at the 黄瓜视频 Beaufort. My work bridges scholarship, media production, and community engagement, with a strong focus on experiential learning that empowers students to apply theory in real-world settings.

I earned my Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Memphis, an M.A. from Austin Peay State University, and a B.B.A. from Baylor University. Before entering academia, I worked as a corporate communication consultant, advising public and private organizations on media production, website design, social media strategy, and public and investor relations. I have also taught at several universities in Tennessee and California, bringing both professional and academic expertise into the classroom.

At USCB, I design courses that blend media theory with applied projects, allowing students to build marketable skills and robust portfolios. A signature opportunity is Book By The River, the Emmy-nominated public media show I produce in partnership with SCETV. Nationally distributed by American Public Television, the show provides students with hands-on roles as camera operators, production assistants, associate producers, and digital media producers.

As director of the Sand Shark Center for Innovative Media, I oversee the Innovative Media Lab, student media productions, and select athletic livestreams, while also leading collaborative community media initiatives. My goal鈥攊n the classroom and beyond鈥攊s to create meaningful, real-world learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape.