To teach college level broadcast journalism, journalism, and mass communication. To research and publish media history scholarship.
Specialization: Journalism History, Broadcast Journalism, Ethics and Law, Early American History, Internet Publishing, TV Production, Mass Communication, Computer and Internet enhancement of teaching, History and New Media.
Education:
Ph.D. in American History , August 2007. GPA 3.86. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Minor: Early American History.
Minor: Print History. (Additional specialty in History and New Media.)
Dissertation :"A Culture of Dissidence: The Emergence of Liberty of the Press in Pre-Revolutionary Virginia."
Dissertation director Rosemarie Zagarri, committee members, Jack Censer, Anita Taylor.
Master of Arts in Mass Communication, University of Denver, CO (GPA 3.93) 8/80
Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA 1/76
Teaching Experience:
Adjunct Instructor/Executive Producer at University of Maryland, College Park, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, teaching Broadcast News Producing and supervising student newscast, 1/08-present
Adjunct Assistant Professor at George Mason University's Department of Communication, teaching 
journalism and Free Speech and Ethics. 9/03-8/05
Assistant Professor (full-time, visiting) and Coordinator of Electronic Journalism Minor at GMU's Department of Communication, teaching Introduction to Journalism, Newswriting and Reporting, Free Speech and Ethics, and Broadcast Journalism. 8/00- 8/03
Assistant Professor of Journalism (full-time) at American University's School of Communication, teaching 
Understanding Mass Media, Reporting, Broadcast Journalism II, and graduate courses in Broadcast News I & II. 8/99- 8/00
Assistant Professor (full-time) at AU's Washington Semester Program teaching journalism in Washington, D.C. to visiting juniors and seniors. Government beats, print, broadcast, and Internet news. 8/98- 8/99
Professorial Lecturer (adjunct faculty), AU, School of Communication. Taught Broadcast News I & II to graduate students. 1/98- 5/98
Instructor and Graduate Assistant, University of Denver. Taught Television Production, Writing, and Introduction to Mass Media. 8/79- 9/80
Instructor and Faculty Supervisor, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA. Taught The Editing Process in the Visual Media and supervised student productions. 1/79- 6/79
Professional Experience:
Washington Correspondent for York (PA) Daily Record newspaper, 10/07-present
Senior Producer/News for WJLA-TV, ABC, Washington, DC. Field produced and wrote news stories, series and specials. Edited copy and edited video on Avid digital editors. Began station's Web news publishing and managed newsroom computer system. 5/94 - 4/98
Assistant News Director for WHTM-TV, ABC, Harrisburg, PA. Supervised newsroom, editorial content and managed computer system. 11/92 - 2/94
Producer for WCNC-TV, NBC, Charlotte, NC. Supervised Emmy winning, 1 hour main evening newscast. Tripled ratings and share. 4/88 - 11/92
Assignment Editor for WJBK-TV, CBS, Detroit, MI. Supervised 15 crews, 20 reporters, live satellite coverage, intern training. 7/86 - 2/88
News Producer/Assignment Editor for WWMT-TV, CBS, Kalamazoo, MI. Produced 11 pm newscast, supervised newsroom, produced documentaries. 11/84 - 7/86
Producer/ Field Producer for WVUE-TV, ABC, New Orleans, LA. Produced newscasts, magazine show and produced features and news stories. 11/83 - 9/84
Tape Editor, Writer and Operations Producer for Satellite News Channel (24 hour national cable news network owned by ABC and Group W), Stamford, CT. Edited and wrote news stories for 24 hour national cable news network. Operations producer for Satellite feeds and editing dept. 5/82 - 10/83
Tape Editor, Supervisor for CNN, Atlanta, GA. Tape editor, tape department supervisor, tape producer, writer, and reporter for international and domestic news for CNN and CNN Headline News. 11/81 - 4/82
Assistant Producer for WSKG-TV, PBS, Binghamton, NY. Reporter, anchor, producer, photographer, editor for nightly newscast. 10/76 - 7/78
Honors and Awards:
Second-Place Student Paper, from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Law and Policy History Division, 5/07
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship , George Mason University, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, 1/07-8/07
McKinnon-Morton Dissertation research fellowship, 4/06
Research Grant for dissertation from the Cosmos Club Foundation, 1/06
Research Assistantship at Center for History and New Media, GMU, 8/05-6/06
Teaching Assistantship for American History at GMU, 8/03-8/05
Representative, Graduate Committee, History Department, GMU, 9/05- 8/06
Grant for teaching Technology Across the Curriculum from GMU. Covered laptop and other enhancements for electronic journalism program, 2/01
Grant for technology enhancement for Understanding Mass Media course by American University's Center for Teaching Excellence and General Education Program. Utilized the Internet, Power Point presentations and other computer based technology for teaching lecture based course, 9/99
Emmy nominations for Specials and Public Affairs, Washington, DC, 94-95
Emmy nominations for Newscast, Harrisburg, PA, 93, Charlotte, NC, 91
Emmy for Newscast, Charlotte, NC, 90
UPI Newscast of the Year, Detroit, MI, 87
AP Best Newscasts, Charlotte, NC, 92, Detroit, MI, 86, Kalamazoo, MI, 85
Third Place Documentary, Michigan State Bar Assoc., 86
Dean's List, University of Denver, 80
Dean's List, Manchester (CT) Community College, 71
Presentations, Conferences and Seminars:
Paper, “Liberty of the Press: The Emergence of the Constitutional Doctrine in Colonial Virginia,” (second-place student paper award) presented at the
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Convention, Law and Policy History Division, Washington, DC, 8/07
Paper,“Thomas Jefferson and the Origins of Newspaper Competition in Pre-Revolutionary Virginia,” presented in a scholar-to-scholar poster session at the AEJMC Convention, History Division, Washington, DC, 8/07
Presentation , “A Culture of Dissidence: The Emergence of Liberty of the Press in Pre-Revolutionary Virginia” (Research in Progress) at the Joint Journalism Historians Conference (The American Journalism Historians Association and the AEJMC History Division), New York University, 4/07
Panel organizer and paper presenter, “Almanacs of the Colonial Chesapeake: ‘Trumpeters of Sedition’ or Revolutionary ‘Agent of Change’?” presented at the Consortium on the Revolutionary Era conference, Arlington, VA, 4/07Paper, “An Expanding Public Sphere: Women and Print in Colonial Virginia; 1736-1776" presented at, "The Atlantic World of Print in the Age of Franklin,” Philadelphia, 9/06
Paper, "Germination of a Free Press: Dissident Print Culture and the Stamp Act in Colonial Virginia," poster session presented at “The Virginia Forum," Winchester, VA, 4/06
Chair for panel, "Tales of the Cities: Providing Insights Through Alternative Narratives," Eastern Communication Association Convention, Washington, DC, 4/03
Panelist for "Do First Amendment Rights Support Terrorists?" Eastern Communication Association Convention, New York, NY, 4/02
Panelist for "Crisis Communication: Offering Students an Opportunity to Explore the 'Real World' in Real Time," Radio-Television Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Convention, Miami, FL, 8/02
Co-organizer, "Take a Peak at the Chesapeake Bay," field trip on Skipjack for Science Interest Group, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Convention, Washington, DC, 8/01
Participant in Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Convention, Washington, DC, 8/01
Participant in Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Convention, emphasis on distance learning and new media, New Orleans, LA, 8/99
Graduate of "Tough Choices: Doing Ethics," seminar (fellowship granted) at The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, St. Petersburg, FL, 3/99
Participant in “Filters, PICS, the Internet and the First Amendment,” at The Freedom Forum World Center in Arlington, VA, 6/98
Participant in “The Digital Revolution and New Media,” at The Freedom Forum Media Studies Center at Columbia University, New York, NY, 5/95
Panelist and presenter on "News in the New Media," at The Freedom Forum World Center in Arlington, VA, 1/95
Publications and Productions:
Review of Eric Burns' "Infamous Scribblers: The Founding Fathers and the Rowdy Beginnings of American Journalism" for Jhistory, the electronic, interactive newsletter for journalism and mass communication on H-Net, 9/06
Authored article on "The War on Terrorism Threatens our Freedom" (First Amendment) for "Static," the newsletter of the Radio-Television Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, 10/02
Authored article on "Breaking News in the Classroom" about teaching the events of 9-11 for "Static," the newsletter of the Radio-Television Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, 10/01
Produced, wrote and reported Internet news on ABCNews.com and ABC7DC.com, 5/96 - 4/98
Produced "Issues & Answers" weekly public affairs program plus political debates, political coverage, news series, specials, and daily television news stories on WJLA-TV, 5/94 - 4/98
Produced "Beyond A Reasonable Doubt," docu-drama on the role of the jury in the courtroom, WWMT-TV 85.
Produced "Let My Husband Go," documentary on the Divided Spouses Coalition and Soviet-American relations, 86.
Courses Taught:
Broadcast News Producing, University of Maryland, Spring 08-present
Introduction to Journalism, George Mason University, Fall 00-Spring 03
Newswriting & Reporting, GMU, Fall 00-Spring 03, American University Fall 99-Fall 00
Writing Across the Media, GMU, Fall 00-Spring 03
Free Speech and Ethics, GMU, Spring 01-Summer 05
Broadcast Journalism, GMU, Fall 00-Spring 03
Terrorism and the News, a special course examining the events of Sept. 11 and beyond, GMU, Summer 02
Broadcast Journalism II, (Newscast producing, advanced reporting), AU, Fall 00
Broadcast News I, graduate level, (TV news reporting) AU, Spring 99-Spring 00
Broadcast News II, graduate level, (Newscast producing, advanced TV news reporting) AU, Spring 99- Spring 00
Understanding Mass Media (Introduction to Mass Communication), AU, Fall 99- Spring 00
Introduction to Mass Media, University of Denver, Summer 1980
Writing Seminar for Introduction to Mass Media, University of Denver, Fall 79-Spring 80
Trimming the Fat: or Who Chose That (The Editing Process in the Visual Media), Hampshire College, Spring, 78
TV Production, University of Denver, Spring 80, Hampshire College, January 75
Memberships:
American Journalism Historians Association, 12/05-present
Phi Alpha Theta , the National Honor Society in History, 4/06-present
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Journalism History and Radio-Television Journalism division. 1/99-present
American Historical Association. 1/04-9/07
United States Senate and House of Representatives Radio - TV Correspondents Association 5/94-4/01
National Academy of Television Arts and Science, Washington, DC chapter 5/94-4/01
Media Appearances:
Appeared on WJLA-TV ABC7, Washington, D.C. news discussing journalism ethics, 4/03
Appeared on WJLA-TV ABC7, Washington, D.C. news talking about journalism ethics in relationship to sniper attacks and media revealing evidence, 10/02
Appeared on Fox 5, WTTG-TV, Washington, D.C. news talking about budget cuts and George Mason University, 10/02
Credit for research (proofreading) assistance acknowledged in preface to Communication Law in America, by Paul Siegel, 1st edition, Allyn & Bacon, 7/01
Appeared on "What's the Story?" a nationwide media analysis program on Radio America, discussing sex on television, 4/9/00
Interviewed by "This Week" television news magazine, Voice of America (for worldwide distribution) about American Online/ Time Warner merger, 1/11/00
Interviewed for "Morning Edition", National Public Radio about America Online / Time Warner merger, 1/10/00
Interviewed by France 2 television network about America Online / Time Warner merger, 1/10/00
Consulting:
Internet Consultant, Project for Excellence in Journalism (affiliated with Columbia University) Advise PEJ and Committee of Concerned Journalists on Web possibilities. Researched bulletin board possibilities. Working on future Internet plans and provide feedback on Web pages, 5/98 - 00
Teaching Consultant, the Newseum Education Center, Arlington, VA Researched and helped to design TV News curriculum for junior high school students, 1999
Internet News Consultant , WTVH-TV, CBS, Syracuse, NY Researched and advised on Web site. Trained staff on Internet procedures. Advised on future Internet possibilities, 5/98 - 9/98
Professional Service:
Member, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Convention Host Committee, 2/01-8/01
Panel leader, judge, for National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences regional Emmy awards for news editing, 2/01
Judge, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences regional Emmy awards for producing, reporting, photography and documentaries, 95-99
Department Service:
Student representative for Graduate Committee, History and Art History Department, George Mason University. 8/05-8/06.
Coordinator of Electronic Journalism Minor, Department of Communication, GMU. Advise students, publicize programs, enroll students in program, Fall 00- Summer 03
Chair, Technology Development Committee, Department of Communication, GMU, Spring 01- Summer 03
Course Reductions subcommittee member, Department of Communication, GMU, Spring 02
Co-coordinator of COMM 303 course, Comm., GMU, including adjunct faculty supervision, hiring, course design, Spring 01- Summer 03
Member of Writing Assessment Committee, Comm., GMU, Fall 02-Summer 03
Organized and set up information table for new graduate and other programs at AEJMC Convention for Comm., GMU 8/5/01
Orientation advising, Comm., GMU, 4/1/01,6/19/01, 6/26/01, 6/12/02, 8/20/02
Participant, Freshman Orientation (ran information table for journalism), Comm., GMU 4/22/01
Member, Faculty Search Committee, Washington Semester Program, American University, Spring 00 - Summer 00
Member, Graduate Affairs Committee, School of Communication, AU, 98-00
Member, Faculty Council, SOC, AU 98-00
Member, Media Center Advisory Committee, SOC, AU 99-00
Member, Faculty Committee, Washington Semester Program, AU, 98-99
University Service:
Speaker at Learning in Retirement Institute, George Mason University, about Terrorism and the News, 10/29/02
Conceived, suggested and facilitated positive news story (on WJLA-TV ABC 7) regarding state budget cuts and their effects on George Mason University. Included interview with President Alan Merten, 10/15/02
Council on Minors member, GMU, Spring 02-Summer 03
Communication Department Representative, Student Media Group, GMU, Fall 01- Summer 03
Faculty Search Committee member, Student Media Group, GMU, Fall 01- Summer 03
Marshall for Convocation, GMU 6/10/01
Orientation training for new General Education Requirements, GMU 6/15/01
Faculty Phon-a-thon, fundraising from alumni, GMU 11/00
Community Service:
Big Brother, mentor for young men without fathers, Harrisburg, PA, 2/93-2/94, in Washington, DC 1/05-10/05
Board member, Jackson Court Home Owners Association, 1/01- 1/04
Interests: Gourmet cooking, hiking, bridge, golf, and Gothic cathedrals.
Completed section hike of entire 2,150 mile Appalachian Trail in July, 2004.
References and more information available on request.
Roger P. Mellen |