“I’m excited to announce the addition of three outstanding new faculty members to the School of Communications, each of whom brings unique talents and perspectives to our academic community,” said Dean Nadine Barnett Cosby.

Kocik joins Quinnipiac as an assistant professor in media studies. He brings a strong interdisciplinary background in digital culture, game studies and media pedagogy. His teaching includes writing, film, internet culture and digital arts, with a focus on AI ethics, inclusive pedagogy and critical media literacy.

“I'm thrilled to join Quinnipiac,” Kocik said. “I look forward to helping students develop their critical reading, writing and media creation skills as they navigate an ever-changing media landscape.

Kocik’s scholarship explores queerness, fandom and cultural representation in video games and streaming media, and includes multiple peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

Mays has been appointed visiting instructor in sports communications. Mays brings over two decades of professional experience in communications, digital media and sports media, having held leadership roles at The Associated Press, ESPN and The Hollywood Reporter.

“At such a pivotal moment in the media business, I’m thrilled to join the accomplished scholars and industry professionals at Quinnipiac,” Mays said. “This institution’s commitment to developing the next generation of storytellers is evident in so many ways — from the new BA in Sports Communications program to the real-life approach of experiential learning — and I look forward to engaging with students and sharing my media experiences.”

Mays is a familiar face at Quinnipiac, having previously served as an adjunct instructor in the School of Communications.

Schmidt joins as an assistant professor in journalism. An Emmy Award-winning creative executive and educator, Schmidt has more than 20 years of experience in visual and digital journalism.

“I am thrilled to be joining Quinnipiac at a critical time for both the school and the journalism industry as we work together to develop future leaders with modern skill sets anchored in ethical principles,” Schmidt said. “As the media landscape continues to evolve rapidly, I’m excited to bring the spirit of visual experimentation and journalistic excellence I have developed in the newsroom to address the modern needs of our students in the classroom.”

Schmidt has held senior leadership positions at The New York Times, CNN, National Geographic and Mashable, where he spearheaded innovative storytelling initiatives that integrate data, video, animation and design with journalistic integrity.

“These hires represent an important and thoughtful investment in the strength and future of our programs during a time of transition,” Barnett Cosby said. “I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our colleagues in the Media Studies and Journalism departments, whose dedication to the school was evident in the care and intention they brought to these searches last spring.”