Biography

Dr. James Ndone teaches courses in public relations and organizational communication. He is a quantitative researcher with an emphasis on experimental research designs. Originally from Kenya, James received his bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism (first-class honors) from Moi University (Kenya). Before attending graduate school, he worked in both journalism and public relations in Kenya. His job as a public relations manager at Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) made him develop an interest in crisis communication. Ndone received his master’s degree (MA) in communication from Illinois State University and worked there as an instructor for a year before joining the Missouri School of Journalism for doctoral studies, graduating in May 2021. Ndone has taught classes that show the intersection of journalism and PR. He is bilingual and can speak and write both English and Kiswahili. Ndone is a crisis communication scholar who specializes in experimental research designs to understand the role of emotions and the timing of crisis communication messages and how the two components affect post-crisis outcomes such as reputation. His research has been published in Public Relations Review, International Journal of Business Communication, and International Journal of Strategic Communication. He has also co-authored a book chapter on challenges that Kenyan journalists faced when writing and presenting news about COVID-19.

Education

• Ph.D., Journalism, University of Missouri (2021)
• M.A., Communication, Illinois State University (2017)
• B.Sc., Communication and Journalism, Moi University (Kenya) (2013)

Awards

• 2023-2024 Department's Chair Award for Service
• 2022-2023 Professional Enhancement Grant

Publications

• Ndone, J. (2023). Internal Crisis Communication: The effects of negative employee-organization relationships on internal reputation and employees’ unsupportive behavior. Public Relations Review, 49(4), 102357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2023.102357
• Ndone, J., Nzau, T, Shikanda, H, & Museo, P. (2023). Challenges experienced by media personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic: Kenyan journalists’ perspective. In R. Hassan & K. Patel (Eds.), Digital media & pandemic: Experiences & ameliorations (pp. 125-149). The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM).
• Ndone, J., & Park, J. (2022). Crisis communication: The mediating role of cognitive and affective empathy in the relationship between crisis type and crisis response strategy on post crisis reputation and forgiveness. Public Relations Review, 48(1), 102136 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2021.102136
• Ndone, J. (2022). Do mixed emotions matter in a crisis? The impact of expressing sadness and sympathy on organizational reputation and forgiveness. International Journal of Business Communication, 232948842211069. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294884221106999
• Ndone J., Warner, B & Duffy, M (2022). Emotional crisis communication: The effects of CEO’s expression of guilt and anger on corporate reputation, International Journal of Strategic Communication https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2022.2085574 

Program Affiliations

• Graduate Studies

Teaching Areas

• Public relations
• Crisis communication
• Quantitative research
• Organizational communication 

Research Areas

• Emotional crisis communication
• Experimental research