Connor Wilcox
"Any doctoral program is only as good as its people and Kent State boasts some truly excellent, intelligent, and supportive people.”
Connor Wilcox | Ph.D. Communication and Information
Current Job: Graduate Assistant
After graduating with his master’s degree, current doctoral student Connor Wilcox found he had “more burning academic questions to answer.”
“I wasn't ready to be ‘done’ with pursuing research on matters of music subculture and communication,” Wilcox said. “I worked in public relations for a few years but would always scroll graduate program lists during my lunch break. When it came time to apply, Kent State's Ph.D. program stood out for its hybrid, barrier-breaking structure. And when it came time to visit campus and meet faculty and students, I was sold.”
Ph.D. Communication and Information CCI Graduate Programs
During his time in the doctoral program, Wilcox has attained many proud accomplishments, but notes that his proudest moments come from working with his advisor, Assistant Professor Cristin A. Compton, Ph.D.
“Dr. Compton pushed me to take intriguing classes, sharpen my arguments and take part in tons of awesome academic projects,” Wilcox said. “I have a whole constellation of proud moments thanks to her continued encouragement and expertise.”
Wilcox has enjoyed his time at Kent State and looks forward to what’s to come.
“I deeply appreciated being slotted into cool opportunities across the gamut of communication traditions,” Wilcox said. “Whether it's qualitatively coding data for a large-scale university initiative, coauthoring a multi-method study couched in information science, or teaching an entry-level media production class, I've received so many chances to explore here.”
Wilcox has noticed clear differences in his writing over time, attributing this to his growing education.
“I recently reread some of my pre-doctoral and current scholastic writing side by side and I was floored by the difference. This doctoral program clearly rewired my brain to think and write more intentionally and concisely.”
Now completing the coursework required of his Ph.D., Wilcox excited to continue to construct his dissertation, a toolkit of theoretical, methodological and practical knowledge of communication.
Advice for future graduate students:
“I would encourage anyone interested in CCI's doctoral program to spend some time talking with the faculty and students here. Any doctoral program is only as good as its people and Kent State boasts some truly excellent, intelligent, and supportive people.”