Gordon Carlson

Dr. Gordon Carlson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), Kansas. He holds a doctorate in New Media Communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has taught at institutions in Oregon, Chicago, Hawaii, and Kansas City. His work focuses on new media’s intersection with rhetoric, emphasizing interactive, collaborative, and virtual technologies.

Education:

• Bachelor's and Master's in Communication, Oregon State University
• Doctorate in New Media Communication, University of Illinois at Chicago

Research Interests: His research explores how new media disrupt and converge with rhetorical frameworks. He leads the Institute for New Media Studies, which develops transdisciplinary projects like 3D visualization tools for education (e.g., livestock anatomy, human brain structures) and immersive platforms for emergency training, campus navigation, and mascot-driven outreach. Projects include Tiger Range (3D campus modeling), Virtual Library (immersive library exploration), and Virtual Victor (synthetic mascot communication).

Grants & Projects:

• Modular Smart Classroom (IMLS grant, $61,889, 2018)
• A-Star (robot concierge for library navigation)

Labs/Teams: He directs the Institute for New Media Studies, which collaborates across disciplines to create innovative educational and communication technologies. The institute’s work spans VR applications, AI-driven avatars, and pedagogical tool development.