Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2026

Document Type

Problem/Project Report (Campus Access)

Degree Type

MS

College

Reed College of Media

Department

Reed College of Media

Committee Chair

Julia Fraustino

Committee Member

Elizabeth Oppe

Committee Member

Ann Bailey Berry

Abstract

Environmental disasters such as floods, landslides, and severe storms continue to disproportionately impact rural Appalachian communities, where limited infrastructure, challenging geography, and longstanding issues of distrust and information gaps complicate emergency response (Pepper, 2023). West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WVVOAD) plays a central role in coordinating nonprofit, faith-based, and community partners during these events, yet many of its member organizations lack standardized, research-driven crisis communication tools that support clear, consistent, and culturally grounded messaging. Without dedicated communication staff or unified guidelines, these organizations face challenges in reaching residents across low connectivity areas, combating misinformation, and maintaining public trust in high-stress situations.(WVVOAD)

Grounded in crisis communication theory, research, and insights gathered through proposed interviews and collaboration with WVVOAD leadership and community partners, this project will aim  to develop a comprehensive Crisis Communication Toolkit designed specifically for Appalachian disaster contexts. The toolkit would provide practical message templates, channel strategies, spokesperson guidance, and resilience-focused communication frameworks that address both immediate disaster needs and long-term community recovery. By combining insight with real-world community expertise, this consulting project aims to strengthen WVVOAD’s communication, improve public understanding during environmental crises, and support more effective, equitable disaster response across Appalachia.

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