Moody College of Communication is expanding the caliber of its research and teaching by adding several talented new faculty this year.

Their expertise spans film and television production, screenwriting, advertising and more. They are essential additions to the college as it works to nurture creativity, grow its research portfolio and develop new curriculum and credentials for students.

"Our distinguished new faculty bring cutting-edge knowledge and skills that are crucial for students to succeed in our ever-evolving media industries,” Moody College Dean Rachel Mersey said. “I'm eager to see how their contributions will enhance the quality of education at Moody."

As we kick off the Fall 2024 semester, we have invited these faculty to share more about their work, why they became educators and what drew them to Moody College. Hear more from them in their own words.

Ali Forbes

Professor of Practice, Department of Radio-Television-Film

From a young age, I was deeply influenced by the many coaches, teachers and volunteers who selflessly dedicated their time and energy to support my development both in and out of the gym as an athlete. Their unwavering commitment and encouragement instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude and a desire to pay it forward. As I navigated my career in live sports broadcasting and eventually into academia, I realized the powerful impact that mentorship and guidance can have on an individual’s journey. This realization fueled my passion for education, driving me to become an educator who can inspire and support the next generation of students just as my mentors did for me.

I am thrilled to join the Moody College of Communication, where I can contribute to a dynamic and innovative academic community. The college’s commitment to excellence in communication and its emphasis on practical, hands-on experience align well with my professional background and teaching experiences. As Moody seeks to cultivate a new minor in sports production and broadcasting, I am excited to help develop an innovative curriculum for our students. Joining Moody College represents a new chapter in my career and a unique opportunity to shape the future of sports communication.

Forbes earned her bachelor’s degree from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, an honors degree in communication from the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario, a post-graduate diploma in sports journalism from Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, a master’s degree in sport and fitness management from Troy University in Alabama and a doctorate in journalism and mass communication from Arizona State University.

Candace Hayden

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

I specialize in augmentative and alternative communication for complex communicators and related topics, including supporting literacy, neurodiversity, assistive technology and accessibility, and caregiver coaching. Returning to Moody College of Communication as a faculty member is particularly meaningful for me, having been a graduate student here. I look forward to providing valuable, practical clinical instruction to our committed, hardworking graduate students this fall. I am excited to collaborate with familiar faces and new colleagues, bringing a fresh perspective on growth through innovation. The intellectually rigorous environment at Moody inspires me, and I am eager to contribute to the continuous advancement of our field.

By educating future generations of speech-language pathologists, I aim to equip them with the skills and confidence needed to serve all communicators effectively. My passion for learning and sharing knowledge drives me, and I am thrilled to have a front-row seat to top-tier speech and language research while bridging that knowledge in a clinical setting. 

Hayden earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation management and youth leadership from Brigham Young University, a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Utah State University and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from The University of Texas at Austin.

Eva Margarita

Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Communication Studies

I became an educator because I have always seen the classroom as an avenue elsewhere. It has been my dream to teach people who come from places like I do that anything is possible. Prior to moving to Texas, I worked with high-risk youth and gang members in Los Angeles. I saw how people in my own community were at a disadvantage due to a lack of resources, a harsh environment and little positive mentorship. As a result, I committed to being a force for good and showing how a love of learning could be a force for change. 

As a rhetoric Ph.D. graduate here at Moody, I’m looking forward to meeting students and redefining our thinking about communication.

Margarita earned her bachelor’s in communication studies from Concordia University Irvine, her master’s degree in performance studies from New York University and a doctorate in rhetoric, language, and political communication from The University of Texas at Austin.

Jim Bosiljevac

Assistant Professor of Practice, Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations

I started teaching creative advertising classes at portfolio schools only a couple of years into my professional career — maybe a little too early. But I loved it from the start. I love the energy of students and have always found it inspirational to see it “click” for a student, for someone to work at a creative problem, then suddenly make a breakthrough, to demystify the creative process and understand that it’s not magic, it’s a repeatable process. Every creative problem is different, but there is always a solution. What could be more interesting than that? There’s also an inherent optimism in any act of creation. More and more, the world's problems will be solved by those with real human creativity and abundant optimism. Students naturally have both. It’s a great challenge and honor to help them unlock what they have and learn how to use it. 

Bosiljevac earned his bachelor’s in advertising from the University of Illinois and a master’s in advertising from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jordan Levin

Professor of Practice, Department of Radio-Television-Film

I am overjoyed to be transitioning into a full-time role in the Department of Radio-Television-Film. My long-term goal has been to return to the Forty Acres in this capacity since first stepping on campus as an incoming freshman nearly 40 years ago. I owe my professional success to those who embraced me as a student and broadened my worldview. I am drawn to UT because, aside from it being my alma mater, when I interact with our students, I overwhelmingly encounter young people with different backgrounds and life experiences, students who are passionate about expressing themselves and enabling others to do so and who come to class with unique personal narratives that promise to broaden the stories that get told. That’s what really moves me.

The entertainment and media industry is going through a massively transformative period. New technologies, embraced by early adopters and younger consumers, are driving change at an incredibly accelerated pace. Without a doubt, this disruption fosters a tremendous amount of anxiety and insecurity, especially for students looking to enter this challenging field. However, change creates opportunities, especially for a new generation to take the helm. Our students have tremendous instincts when it comes to this space, and these courses provide a platform to help students think more analytically and comprehensively about where things are going by exploring where we are right now and how we got here. My hope is that providing greater context and perspective will sharpen their point of view so that when they’re asked by professionals what they think, they’ll respond with thoughtful, insightful answers that reveal their fullest potential.

Levin earned his bachelor’s degree in radio-television-film from The University of Texas at Austin.

Kat Craft

Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of Radio-Television-Film

I have always loved teaching and working in arts education. I was a theater maker before I was a screenwriter, and I taught theater for many years in various settings such as youth shelters, prisons and schools. My favorite part of teaching is supporting students as they discover and nurture their own creativity and voice. I become genuinely invested in my students' projects and scripts. 

I'm excited about my new appointment because it makes me feel more like a part of the UT community, and it allows me to commit more fully to my role. I'm excited to teach a features class for the first time, which is perfect because I've been writing multiple features over the summer, and I'm eager to share what I've learned.

Craft earned her master’s degree in applied drama from Goldsmiths College at the University of London and a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from The University of Texas at Austin.

Maya Perez

Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of Radio-Television-Film

What excites me most about the beginning of every semester is meeting the students. I love learning about the communities they’re coming from, what movies and TV shows they love and why, what their life and creative influences are. Whether they’re coming from Ghana or right here in Austin, they each have a unique perspective and voice informed by their experiences. My goal is to help them identify and strengthen that voice and guide them in getting their stories from their heads onto the page. After all, I became an educator for the same reason that I became a writer and producer — I love stories. Reading them, watching them, and talking about them and how they work. 

I'm looking forward to teaching and discussing with students what a career in screenwriting involves: working with agents and managers, pitching their projects, navigating a TV writers' room, notes meetings with production companies and studios, and more. As a Michener fellow, I graduated from UT RTF with an MFA in screenwriting and am honored to now teach at UT alongside many of my former professors who have become friends and collaborators.

Perez received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Vassar College and her Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from the Michener Center for Writers at The University of Texas at Austin.

Susan Sneed 

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Before discovering the field of speech-language pathology, I intended to teach English at the high school or college level. Coming from a family of educators, it seemed a natural path. However, my career trajectory changed when I read about the ways speech-language pathologists help stroke survivors. I have been seeking out opportunities to develop my knowledge and skills ever since. I supervised graduate speech-language pathology students during their medical externship placements while working in inpatient rehabilitation before moving to the university setting. This experience rekindled my love for teaching and solidified my commitment to mentoring the next generation of speech-language pathologists. Teaching allows me to combine my dedication to the field with my desire to inspire and guide students. 

I am thrilled to join Moody College this fall. Contributing to such a prestigious institution, renowned for its innovative research and commitment to excellence, is an exciting opportunity. This semester, I will be teaching graduate and undergraduate courses and am particularly excited about incorporating interprofessional practice opportunities and simulations into the curriculum, fostering collaboration and a holistic approach to patient care. I look forward to exploring the Austin area with my fiancé and gladly accept any restaurant recommendations!

Sneed earned her bachelor’s degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences and her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.