Mt. Pleasant, Mich.--Elina Erzikova, a faculty member in Central Michigan University’s department of journalism, has been honored as one of four emerging scholars of 2012 by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The award recognizes Erzikova’s outstanding scholarly efforts and provides the opportunity for her to further her study of the history, evolution and future of Russian journalism.
 
"Dr. Erzikova’s proposal was one of 35 received by AEJMC for the 2012 program. The selection process was very competitive,” said Jennifer McGill, executive director, AEJMC. “The selection committee members were impressed with the study’s approach and its potential findings.”
 
“This research has been my entire life, having grown up in and starting my career as a journalist in Russia,” said Erzikova. “Receiving this award will allow me to continue my studies.”
 
The AEJMC Emerging Scholars Program awards $2,500 in research and teaching grants to four proposals every year, encouraging innovative and timely projects in journalism and mass communication. Those selected are recognized as the industry’s most promising scholars.
 
“Dr. Erzikova’s award is testament to the quality of work that the faculty are producing,” said Salma Ghanem, dean of the CMU College of Communication and Fine Arts. “In addition to being an excellent researcher, she also is a great teacher. The combination of high quality research and excellent teaching is what makes the journalism department such a strong program.”
 
With the Emerging Scholar Award funds, Erzikova will travel to Russia this summer to conduct interviews, surveys and focus group meetings with journalists.
 
In addition to her current teaching schedule of public relations classes, Erzikova has published and presented 32 papers and previously received a $30,000 grant from CMU’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to study the cultural specifics of Russian public relations.