Sara Brookshire teaches beginning and advanced journalism courses, drawing on her own experience and graduate degree from Ball State University.

“My goal is to prepare students with the foundation for writing and reporting within the media,” Brookshire said. “Solid writing plays a role in all areas of the industry and I enjoy being a part of this preparation for TU media students.”

Brookshire’s classes cover print, web and broadcast writing extensively, preparing students for a wide range of writing options.

“Many [students] are preparing diligently for a future, but are waiting on God to show them how and where He will use them,” Brookshire said. “It's exciting for me to pray with them and then watch and see God work.”

Brookshire joined the faculty as a full-time professor in 2011. When she is not hanging out with her students, she's with her husband and two sons. She enjoys reading, yoga, riding motorcycles and 4-wheelers, and watching football. All of which, usually involve the three men in her life, “minus the yoga."

“What I teach here is a combination of all the things that I love to do—shooting/editing/producing, writing, interacting with people and performance,” said media communication professor Kathy Bruner.

In her video and film-oriented classes such as Documentary Filmmaking, Producing for Clients, and Digital Video Production, Kathy hopes the students develop their skill in order to create compelling stories. Kathy is known her for her energetic teaching style, pushing students to do their best, and caring for her students.

Prior to coming to Taylor, Kathy earned a BA in Broadcasting and Journalism as well as a MA in Communication. She also taught in the communication department at Bethel University and Asbury University. Kathy has been honored with teaching awards at both Taylor and Asbury. Her biggest rewards in teaching include seeing her students win award competitions and seeing her students grow in their faith.

Kathy loves the results that come from the classes: "satisfied video clients, film festival submissions, award-winning productions and people passionate about using media in ways that transform culture.”

John Bruner is an assistant professor in Media Communication. His specialty areas are video/film production, directing and audio production.

John enjoys working on electronics projects with his nine year old son Andrew, family time (like outings to the zoo), enjoying the company of friends, spending time with his extended family (preferably on a boat), creative writing, listening to and performing music, and film production & analysis.

Favorite Music: 80s rock (Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, The Cure), classical music, opera, brass bands.

Favorite Movies: It's almost impossible for me to choose.

What he says he's known for at Taylor: "Students might say my storytelling and sense of humor."

Donna Downs leads a busy life at Taylor, managing the media communication department’s public relations concentration. She uses her educational experience to teach Taylor students about the principles of great communication.

“PR has so many relational aspects,” Downs said. “I love watching students' excitement when they offer their gifts to others.”

Downs has an extensive background in writing, obtaining an Ed.D from Ball State with a cognate in journalism. She teaches her classes with an emphasis on the written word and how to present that verbally.

Downs currently oversees the production of the university’s student newspaper, the Echo, which has won multiple journalism awards. Through her advising, she encourages and teaches her students to grow in their writing and overall skill.

She currently lives in Fairmount, Indiana with her husband, Larry of almost 30 years. In her free time Downs enjoys writing, reading, taking photos, and spending time with her growing family. She also enjoys a Beth Moore Bible study with friends and students.

Mike Saunier hopes to prepare students for their future “by giving students an understanding of—and practice in—how to work collaboratively on a converged media team, employing their unique skill sets and talents to produce a creative product that effectively meets the communication needs of a company or organization.”

Through his previous work as Director of Communications for the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Mike brings a professional perspective to his classes. Mike received undergraduate degrees in English and a graduate degree in Journalism. More recently, he earned a master’s degree in communications from Regent University.

In his classes, you can expect Mike to care and see his students excel in their work. He strives to help students understand a variety of concepts, but more importantly to encourage them in their challenges. When he is not in class, Mike loves to spend his time riding bikes. He is the faculty advisor to Taylor's cycling club.

By focusing on the Web in several of his courses, he wants to “help students think about the Web first in everything they produce. I also am energized about what the future holds for this medium, especially as mobile computing devices become ubiquitous.”