Nicole Travis

Doctoral Advisor: Rebecca Ortiz, Ph.D.

Education:
M.A., Mass Communication, University of Delaware, 2024
B.A., PR Communication & Psychology, University of Delaware, 2022

Areas of Research: Parasocial relationships; media effects; fan studies; health communication.

Presentations & Publications: 

Wanzer, C. V., Travis, N. P., Pfender, E. J., Bleakley, A. (Scheduled for Publication) Beyond the Game: Gender Disparities in NCAA Athletes’ Social Media Sponsorships. Journal of Sports Media.

Wanzer, C. V., Pfender, E. J., Travis, N. P., Bleakley, A. (2024) Mapping the Field: A Content Analysis of Marketable NCAA Athletes’ Social Media Self Presentation. Communication & Sport, 21674795241232404. https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795241232

Travis, N. P. (2024) Beyond the Screen: Unraveling the Health Consequences of Parasocial Breakups. Paper to be presented at the 2025 NCA conference in Denver, CO. 

Travis, N. P. (2024) Parasocial Breakups: A Lit Review. Paper presented at the 2025 Popular Culture Association conference in New Orleans, LA. 

Pfender, E. J., Kuijpers, K., Wanzer, C. V., Travis, N. P., Maloney, E., Hennessy, M., Bleakley, A. (2024) Dispensing choice: Understanding Intention to Adopt Opill Using the Reasoned Action Approach. Paper presented at the 2025 NCA conference in New Orleans, LA.

Wanzer, C. V., Pfender, E. J., Travis, N. P., Bleakley, A. (2024) Mapping the Field: A Content Analysis of Marketable NCAA Athletes’ Social Media Self Presentation. Paper presented at the 2024 Eastern Conference Association in Boston, MA. 

Travis, N. P. (2023) When real or imagined love ends: Understanding breakups and grief. Paper presented at the 2024 Eastern Conference Association in Boston, MA.

Book Chapters:

Travis, N. P. (2023). PR goals, strats, and tacts. An introduction to communication: Concepts, concentrations, and careers. (Ch. 14). Philadelphia: Philadelphia Press.

Bio: Nicole Travis is a critical, mixed-methods scholar whose research interests encompass parasocial relationships, media effects, fan studies and health communication. In her studies, she seeks to conduct research that benefits social media consumers. Before joining the Newhouse doctoral program, Nicole completed her B.A. in communication (with a concentration in PR) and psychology, as well as her M.A. in mass communication at the University of Delaware. Additionally, she gained valuable experience working as an adjunct professor at various colleges in the tri-state area between her graduate studies.