Diana Humble: Inspiring Future Generations in Communication and Gender Studies

Originally from Stewartville, a small town of around 6,000 people near Rochester, Minnesota—home to the renowned Mayo Clinic—Diana Humble has embraced a unique journey that led her to Memphis, Tennessee. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Communication at UofM. Living in Memphis for the past two years, she is also currently teaches at the University of Memphis, where she is an instructor of record for the Department of Communication and Film. Diana brings her experience to the classroom through courses like Oral Communication and Health Communication. Alongside teaching, she serves as the Assistant Basic Course Director and acts as the department’s graduate representative.

Academic Path and Research Focus Diana’s academic journey includes an MA in Communication Studies from the University of South Dakota, completed in 2022, and dual BAs in Communications and Creative Writing from Waldorf University. Now studying at UofM, Diana is nearing her goal of graduation, expected in late 2025. Her research is both timely and crucial, focusing on gender and violence within communication, media theory, and public health contexts. Diana’s primary interest is in understanding the dynamics within manosphere spaces, exploring what drives some individuals to adopt these ideologies and what can lead others to exit.

Teaching: Her Catalyst for Continuing to Pursue Graduate Studies Graduating during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Diana’s career trajectory took an unexpected turn when her internship at Mayo Clinic ended due to layoffs. With limited opportunities in her field, she decided to pivot to graduate school. Diana reflects, " I applied to a couple different Master’s programs, and found a graduate assistantship at the University of South Dakota that would cover the cost of my tuition for teaching undergraduate classes. I had never taught before, but decided to take the plunge anyway. I never expected to enjoy teaching and research as much as I did." Diana’s passion for teaching is a significant driver in her pursuit of a Ph.D. at the University of Memphis. “It’s a privilege to use my experiences and expertise to guide young people trying to find their way in the world,” she says.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Finding Support at UofM

One of the most defining experiences in her graduate career has been grappling with imposter syndrome. “Every facet of who you are is subject to critique by your professors and students,” Diana explains. Although at times, it can be a grueling process, but passing her comprehensive exams and officially transitioning from a doctoral student to a doctoral candidate marked a transformative moment. “It was the first time I felt that insecurity fade a bit.  For Diana, this achievement was a powerful confidence boost. “Iron sharpens iron. Those tests are the things that show us who we really are.”

Integral to Diana’s success and resilience has been the unwavering support of her advisor, Dr. Joy Goldsmith. “I am so grateful for my advisor, Joy Goldsmith, because she has taken the time to invest in me as a person—not just as a student,” Diana shares. “She has stood in my corner and gone to bat for me on numerous occasions when it wasn’t easy or convenient for her to do so.” Dr. Goldsmith’s guidance and dedication have eased Diana’s path, making her journey through graduate school feel “so much less lonely.”

Advice for Future Ph.D. Students

Diana encourages prospective doctoral students to consider a break after their Master’s program before diving into a Ph.D. “Getting a doctorate is a demanding process that will wreak havoc on your social life, mental health, and physical form,” she advises. “Make sure you are truly committed before beginning, otherwise you’ll burn out.” She also says, "It feels like an unwritten rule to make your work your personality, and to cull any interests that will detract attention from your degree. Don’t let go of what makes you who you are while pursuing your Ph.D. Continue to find time for those interests, because giving yourself time to rest and recover from your labor is what will get you to the finish line."

Memphis & Balancing Hobbies and Personal Growth

Moving to a larger city has been a culture shock, but Diana embraces all that Memphis has to offer. “I love the endless food options here! There’s always somewhere new to try,” she says, noting the variety of experiences that living in Memphis has provided. Now that has has passed her comprehensive exams, she has more time to focus on hobbies. Outside her academic life, Diana enjoys an array of hobbies, from gardening, watching sports, and paddleboarding to spending time with her rescue dog, Halle. Recently, she returned to playing trumpet, joining the Bartlett Community Concert Band after a long hiatus. Diana is also an avid writer, with a poetry collection under her belt and a fiction book currently in progress. 

Carrying a Legacy & Looking Ahead

Diana’s story is one of resilience, deeply rooted in her family’s legacy of hard work and dedication. She reflects on the influence of her mother, who pursued her own education while raising two young children alone and instilled in her the importance of education and resilience. She says, "Some of my earliest memories include her at the kitchen table studying slides under her microscope long after midnight. I think the work ethic that she instilled in me from a young age is what has gotten me to this point in my education. She taught me to always put my education first, and I think she’d be proud of how far I've come." Her mother passed away from cancer during Diana’s first month in her doctoral program. “I still feel her guiding every step I make,” Diana shares. Following her graduation, Diana aims to pursue a career that allows her research to make a positive impact on the world, either through academia or in an industry role that aligns with her values.

Join us in celebrating her inspiring journey, determination, and work at the University of Memphis!

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• Humble, D. (November 2024) The Hunger Games Renaissance of March 2023: Reflection and Collective Action on TikTok. Paper to be presented at the National Communication Association, sponsored by the Activism and Social Justice division. New Orleans, LA.
• Goldsmith, J., Humble, D., Terui, S., Bilbeisi, T., & Alabere, R. (November 2024) Housing Instability and Homelessness in Memphis: Mental Health Literacy and Community-Based Research. Paper to be presented at the National Communication Association, sponsored by the Applied Communication division. New Orleans, LA.
• Humble, D. (November 2024) “This was within the 4 walls of their home. And that’s exactly where it should’ve stayed.”: A Case Study Concerning Domestic Violence in The Public Sphere. Paper to be presented at the National Communication Association, sponsored by the Human Communication and Technology division. New Orleans, LA.
• Humble, D. (2024) Involuntary celibacy in the digital age: Pappa Rodger and incel media use. Popular Communication Division. Presenter at the Southern States Communication Association conference. Frisco, TX.
• Humble, D. (2024) Fire Catches Twice: A Thematic Analysis of Commentary from the March 2023 Hunger Games Renaissance. Presenter at the Popular Culture Association conference. Chicago, IL.
• Humble, D. (2023) Wolf Sex: Rape in Omegaverse Fanfiction. Presenter at the Popular Culture Association conference. San Antonio, TX.
• Humble, D. (2022) The Inclusion of Rape and Other Non-Consensual Sexual Acts in Self-Insert Fanfiction. Presenter at IdeaFest. Vermillion, SD.
• Humble, D. (2022) GIFT: Speed Conversing as a Means to Enrich Dialogue and Reduce Communication Apprehension. Presenter at the Central States Communication Association conference. Madison, WI.
• Humble, D. (2022) The Inclusion of Rape and Other Non-Consensual Sexual Acts in Self-Insert Fanfiction. Presenter at the Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies conference. Vermillion, SD.
• Humble, D. (2022) Preliminary Findings: The Inclusion of Rape and Other Non-Consensual Sexual Acts in Self-Insert Fanfiction. Presenter at the No Limits: Student Research conference. Lincoln, NE.
• Humble, D., Garnos, C., & Denu, Y. (2021) Preliminary Findings in a Qualitative Study Exploring the Mental Health of USD Students During COVID-19. Presenter at the Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Consortium. Vermillion, SD.
• Humble, D., Garnos, C., & Denu, Y. (2021) Protect the Pack: Evaluating the Mental Health of USD Undergraduate Students During COVID-19. Presenter at IdeaFest. Vermillion, SD.
• Humble, D. (2020) Selected readings from Cells: Unlocking the Mind’s Prisoners. Presenter at the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society convention. Virtual Conference.
• Humble, D. (2019) In Shades of Grey: A black and white photography exhibition. Presenter at the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society convention. Cleveland, OH.
• Humble, D. (2018) How to Write Nonfiction with Tact. Presenter at the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society convention. Portland, OR.

AWARDS

• 2024: John Angus Campbell Excellence in Teaching Award - Department of Communication and Film, University of Memphis
• 2022: Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Second Place Winner - University of South Dakota Graduate School
• 2020 & 2021: Department Nominee for the Graduate Excellence in Teaching Award - Department of Communication, University of South Dakota
• 2021: Graduate Research and Creative Scholarship Grant Recipient - University of South Dakota Graduate School
• 2021: Friend of TRiO Award - University of South Dakota TRiO
• 2020: Student Senator of the Year - Waldorf University Student Senate
• 2018: Thelma H. Hall Creative Writing National Presentation Prize - Alpha Chi National College Honor Society National Convention