WCU's DepT. of Communication and Media Welcomes Award-winning Author and International
Media Scholar for 2025-2026 Academic Year
An award-winning author, screenwriter, and technology expert is coming to West Chester University this fall.
The Department of Communication and Media is thrilled to announce that Dr. Nash Niaz will be joining WCU full-time for the 2025-26 school year. Dr. Niaz is expected to teach courses in the Media and Culture major, according to Dr. Lisa Millhous, department chair.
“We’re excited to add Dr. Niaz to our faculty,” Dr. Millhous said. “He’s not only an experienced instructor but also a highly accomplished scholar who has excelled creatively. His expertise will greatly benefit our students.”
As a media and communication scholar, Dr. Niaz has published research that investigated smartphones and social media addiction, cultural values in advertising, and the interaction of media with political attitudes. He also has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in mass communication, media studies, integrated marketing communication, and cinematic arts.
Dr. Niaz has written a book about artificial intelligence called AI Revolution: Transforming Digital Media and Integrated Marketing Communication from Universal Publishers. He expects the book to be released later this year. According to Dr. Niaz, his award-winning screenplays—Averting the Last Crunch and Resurgence 2030 —are currently in negotiations for Hollywood productions.
Dr. Niaz has always been interested in media. He completed an M.S. in Communication and Broadcasting at Brooklyn College (CUNY). He built on this foundation by earning a Ph.D. in Communication from Southern Mississippi University and completing two post-doctoral fellowships in management at Harvard University and Cambridge University. Beyond his academic career, Dr. Niaz has domestic and international media industry experience in corporate and public broadcasting, as well as digital marketing and the e-commerce industry.
With nearly 375 students in the Media and Culture major, Dr. Niaz is expected to teach at least four courses in both the fall and spring semesters of the 2025-26 school year. The Media and Culture major teaches essential technological and analytical skills in media production, strategic communication, and cultural communication to help students succeed in media fields.
“Dr. Niaz’s broad experience and scholarly achievements mean that he will be an invaluable asset to the department and the University,” said Dr. Camilo Diaz Pino, who assisted in the effort to bring Dr. Niaz to West Chester University. “We’re lucky to have him.”
Next fall, students should keep an eye out for Dr. Niaz to teach MDC courses such as Research Methods and Mediated Communication.
The Media and Culture Major program taps into key attributes that employers are looking for in graduating students. Students begin careers with a versatile skill set and a professional portfolio of work developed through hands-on coursework, internships, and practicum experiences. MDC graduates are prepared to enter a wide range of fields in the global workforce including media production, broadcasting, advertising, strategic communication, social media & PR, international media, diversity training and development, and others.