Weiwu Zhang
Weiwu Zhang
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Relations, Professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Communication

Phone:765-285-6100

Room:LB 102F


About Weiwu Zhang

Dr. Weiwu Zhang is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Relations in the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) at Ball State University. He provides managerial oversight for academic programs, supports faculty development and ensures positive student relations in the college. He is also an associate professor of the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication at CCIM.

Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on political communication, political public relations, media and public opinion, and the role of strategic communication in generating social capital. His current research also centers on emotional intelligence and leadership communication. He has published more than 30 journal articles and book chapters in journals including Communication Research, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication.

Dr. Zhang has chaired a total of six dissertation committees, directed five master’s thesis projects, and served on more than 50 graduate committees.

Prior to Ball State, Dr. Weiwu Zhang was an Associate Professor in the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University. He was Chair of the Department of Public Relations (2016 – 2020) and Assistant Director of Graduate Studies (2013 – 2015). Before Texas Tech,
Dr. Zhang served as interim Chair and Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Communication at Austin Peay State University. He was President of the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR) in 2010 and Research Chair of the Public Relations Division for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) (2014 – 2016). He is a recent graduate of the AEJMC Institute for Diverse Leadership in Journalism and Communication (2019). He also served as Editor for Communication Booknotes Quarterly (2015 – 2016), a book notes and book review journal published by the Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Education

  • Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin at Madison
  • M.A., Applied Communication Theory and Methodology, Cleveland State University
  • B.A., English, Nanjing Normal University

Research and Publications

  • Zhang, W., & Adegbola, O. (in press). Emotional intelligence and public relations: An empirical review. Public Relations Review.
  • Xu, S., Li, W., Zhang, W. (2021). The dynamics of social capital: Examining the reciprocity between network features and social support. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 26, 362-383.
  • Lee, S. Y., Zhang, W., & Abitbol, A. (2019). What makes CSR communication lead to CSR participation? Testing the mediating effects of CSR association, CSR credibility, and organization–public relationships. Journal of Business Ethics, 157, 413-429.
  • Gearhart, S., & Zhang, W. (2018). Same spiral, different day? Testing the spiral of silence across issue types. Communication Research, 45(1), 34-53. doi: 10.1177/0093650215616456
  • Gearhart, S., & Zhang, W. (2015). “Was it something I said?” “No, it was something you posted!” Applying the spiral of silence theory in social media contexts. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(4), 208-213. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2014.0443
  • Zhang, W., Seltzer, T., & Bichard, S. (2013). Two sides of the coin: Assessing the influence of social network site use during the 2012 U.S. presidential campaign. Social Science Computer Review, 31, 542-551.
  • Seltzer, T., & Zhang, W. (2011). Debating healthcare reform: How political parties’ issue- specific communication influences citizens’ perceptions of organization-public relationships. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 88(4), 753-770.
  • Seltzer, T., & Zhang, W. (2011). Toward a model of political organization-public relationships: Antecedent and cultivation strategy influence on citizens’ relationships with political parties. Journal of Public Relations Research, 23(1), 24-45.
  • Zhang, W., Johnson, T., Seltzer, T., & Bichard, S. (2010). The revolution will be networked: The influence of social network sites on political attitudes and behaviors. Social Science Computer Review, 28, 75-92.
  • Zhang, W., & Seltzer, T. (2010). Another piece of the puzzle: Advancing social capital theory by examining the effect of political party quality on political and civic participation. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 4, 155-170.
  • Johnson, T.J., Zhang, W., Bichard, S.L., & Seltzer, T. (2010). United we stand? Online social network sites and civic engagement, in Z. Papacharissi (ed.) Networked self: Identity, community, and culture on social network sites (pp. 185-207). New York: Routledge.

Honors and Awards

  • Outstanding Researcher from the College of Media and Communication for the Barnie E. Rushing Jr. Faculty Distinguished Research Award, 2015
  • The Bill and Avis Ross Mass Communication Faculty Achievement Award, College of Media and Communication, Texas Tech University, 2012
  • Texas Tech University Transdisciplinary Research Academy, 2012
  • Alumni Association New Faculty Award, Texas Tech University, 2011
  • Texas Tech University Teaching Academy Recognition for Meritorious Achievement in Teaching (2011)
  • Fellow at the Institute for Inclusive Excellence, Texas Tech University, 2011


Course Schedule
Course No. Section Times Days Location
CCIM Career Developm 300 32 1230 - 1345 T R LB, room 265