Franklin Nii Amankwah Yartey, Ph.D. (Bowling Green State University), is the head of the Communication Department and an Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa. Yartey received an undergraduate degree from Northwestern College and held graduate teaching and research assistantships at Indiana State University and Bowling Green State University. His research focuses on Digital Media and Globalization/Social Media, with a secondary focus on Intercultural Communication. Other research interests include online microfinance and its impact on third world women, health communication, media ethics, and globalization.  Yartey received the Iowa Communication Association (ICA) Outstanding New Teacher Award for 2014.