Education
PhD, Wayne State University. Political Communication.
Professional Interests
Dr. Vance's teaching expertise lies in persuasion, media effects, and political advertising. Since joining UMD, he has built a strong record of innovative teaching that is both skill-oriented and grounded in personalized feedback. His teaching has received both institutional and national recognition. Most recently, he was recognized with UMD's "Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching" for the 2025-2026 academic year. Meanwhile, Dr. Vance's research centers on political persuasion, with a focus on how people make sense of complex political issues through media and communication. Much of his work explores the deeper psychological and communicative dynamics behind affective polarization - not just as a problem, but as a political reality worth understanding. He draws on interdisciplinary theories such as news framing, moral foundations, securitization, and uses quantitative methods to examine these dynamics. Dr. Vance recently served as Chair of the CAHSS Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Committee.
Awards/Recognitions
UMD Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching (<10 Years of Service). 2025-2026.
2nd Place Winner in Political Communication Division’s Best Teaching Ideas Competition.
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. July 2026.
2nd Place Winner in Political Communication Division’s Best Teaching Ideas Competition.
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. August 2025.
Top Paper, Political Communication Division. Eastern Communication Association. April 2024.
Courses Taught
COMM 1020 - Communicating Difference
COMM 1112 - Public Speaking
COMM 2030 - Communication Inquiry: Social Science Methods
COMM 3310 - Research Assistantship
COMM 3520 - Media Effects
COMM 3700 - Interpersonal Influence