Audrey Wagstaff

Audrey Wagstaff is a Professor of Social Science and Communication Arts at Wilmington College, where she teaches Communication Arts, Sociology, Psychology, and general education courses. She serves as Area Coordinator of the Social Sciences, Clerk of the Assessment Committee, and Faculty Athletics Representative. Nationally, she contributes to the Scholastic Press Rights Commission and chairs the Scholastic Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Kent State University (Dissertation: "Beyond the perceptual bias: The third-person effect and censorship behavior in scholastic journalism")
• M.A. in Journalism from Kent State University (Thesis: "Protecting the southern border: Framing Mexicans in a post-9/11 media")
• B.A. in Communication from Hiram College
• Master Journalism Educator Certification from the Journalism Education Association

Wagstaff's research centers on scholastic journalism censorship, examining administrative attitudes toward student press through framing theory and First Amendment analysis. Her work bridges media law, political communication, and educational policy, with particular focus on how school administrators perceive censorship risks and justify content suppression. She investigates the psychological mechanisms like third-person effect that drive censorship behavior and documents practical strategies for student journalists navigating administrative constraints.

Her publication trajectory reveals consistent emphasis on scholastic press rights over the past decade, evolving from foundational studies on administrative knowledge gaps to contemporary analyses of digital media censorship. Key themes include the Hazelwood decision's implementation, cross-cultural comparisons of press freedom, and the interplay between legal frameworks and educational priorities in student media environments.

Notable honors include the Michael Starr Award (2015), NCAA FAR Fellowship (2014), and multiple Gerstacker-Gund Research Grants (2013-2014).

• Michael Starr Award, Hiram College (2015)
• NCAA FAR Fellow (2014)
• United Way Campaign Excellence Award (2014)
• Paul E. Martin Award (2010, 2013)
• Gerstacker-Gund Research Grant (2013, 2014)

Wagstaff advises student media and serves on the Ohio Scholastic Media Association Board while directing research projects funded by institutional grants. Her professional service extends to the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and national journalism education initiatives focused on press rights advocacy and curriculum development.

She maintains active involvement in professional communities including the National Communication Association and Student Press Law Center, contributing to policy discussions on scholastic media freedom and educational best practices.