Lauren (Waugh) Tortella
Curriculum Vitae
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Media ethics, media law, media influences on children and children's mental health
EDUCATION
Ph.D., College of Media and Communications, Texas Tech University, anticipated 2026.
M.S., School of Media and Strategic Communications, Oklahoma State University, Mass Communications, 2019.
Thesis: “Where to Draw the Line: News Coverage of Child Abuse Cases.”
B.S., Oklahoma Christian University, Journalism (Minor: Media Production), Cum Laude, 2017.
PUBLICATIONS
Waugh, L., 2019, “Where to Draw the Line: News Coverage of Child Abuse.” Master’s
Thesis.
Waugh, L., 2018, “Reporter and Source Dating.” In Patterson, P., Wilkins, L. and Painter,
C (2019). Media Ethics: Issues and Cases, 9th Ed. Lantham, MD: Rowman and
Littlefield.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Research Reviewer, National Communications Association, 2024
Graduate Part-Time Instructor, Media Law, College of Media and Communications, Texas Tech University, 2023-2024
Research Assistant, College of Media and Communications, Texas Tech University, 2023-2024
Substitute Teacher, A&M Consolidated High School, College Station ISD, 2020-2023.
Travel Advisor, Keys to Dream Travel LLC, 2019-2023.
Communications Coordinator, Resilient SFBL, 2022.
Photographer, Lauren Tortella Photography, 2020-2022.
Customer Support Representative, Hawkes Learning Systems, 2020-2021.
Communications Specialist, University Libraries, Texas A&M University, 2019-2020.
Guest Lecturer for two undergraduate Media Ethics classes, 2019.
Graduate Teacher’s Assistant, School of Media and Strategic Communications, Oklahoma State University, 2018-2019.
Communications Coordinator, UCatOKState, 2018-2019.
Sports Radio and Television Producer, Eagle Angle Student Broadcasting, Oklahoma Christian University, 2014-2017.
Sports and News Television Reporter, Eagle Angle Student Broadcasting, Oklahoma Christian University, 2014-2016.
KSWO Television News Intern, 2016.
Sports and News Television Anchor, Eagle Angle Student Broadcasting, Oklahoma Christian University, 2015-2017.
Disney College Program and Internships, 2015.