Mark H. Massé

Mark H. Massé, Professor of Journalism
Department of Journalism

Educational Background
M.S. Journalism, University of Oregon, 1994, graduated with honors
B.A. Sociology, Miami University, 1974

Professional Experience
Massé has more than 35 years’ professional experience as a freelance writer and communications consultant. His background includes positions at ad/PR agencies, educational establishments, and government organizations. His fields of professional specialization are literary journalism and the teaching of writing.

A faculty member in the Department of Journalism at Ball State University since 1996, Massé was the news-editorial sequence coordinator for four years. He is director of the Journalism Writing Center and has served as coordinator of the Pulliam National Journalism Writing Award and the departmental liaison for Ball State Academic Honors in Writing program since 1996. In 2011, Massé became the graduate studies director for the Department of Journalism.

Research/Creative/Publication Interests
Massé’s research has focused on the teaching of writing using national survey research and Q-methodology. A qualitative researcher, Massé specializes in literary journalism, primarily using ethnography.

Research/Creative/Publication Career Highlights
Massé has written and co-authored seven peer-reviewed articles in publications including Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, and Operant Subjectivity. He has contributed to professional and trade periodicals such as Writer’s Digest, The Writer, and Etude online literary magazine. He has also been a widely published freelance author since 1978. His works have appeared in The New York Times, Ladies’ Home Journal, Men’s Health, Midwest Living, Golf Journal, and Modern Short Stories, among other publications.

He has published two books of literary journalism. The first, Inspired to Serve: Today's Faith Activists (2004), explores the role of religion in motivating social activists to address community problems across the U.S. The second, Trauma Journalism: On Deadline In Harm's Way (2011), chronicles the lives of U.S. and international journalists who cover conflicts, crises, and tragedies, and describes the impact of this trauma reporting on victims, sources and, journalists themselves.

Massé has presented research papers at numerous national and international conferences on a range of journalistic topics.

He is a member of the following professional and honorary organizations: the Authors Guild, Society of Professional Journalists, and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Thesis/Creative Project Experience and Philosophy
Massé has been a thesis/research paper/creative project committee chair, adviser, or member for more than 40 graduate students since 1996. His major expectation for students completing a thesis or creative project is that the proposal stage is thoroughly developed. This refers to the completion of a comprehensive introduction to the topic, a literature review, discussion of methodology, and bibliography. After the proposal stage, Massé works closely with students and expects regular updates.