Ramtin Ranjpour
Biography
Ramtin is an international student from Iran pursuing his PhD at the SOJC with a focus on strategic communication. He earned his BS in computer engineering from San Diego State University in 2021 and his MA in communication and media studies from California State University—San Bernardino in 2024. His areas of professional expertise include digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), front-end web development, and public speaking consulting.
Ramtin's array of research interests ranges from public relations (PR) and integrated marketing communications (IMC) to human-computer interaction (HCI), user experience (UX), and emerging technologies using both quantitative and qualitative methods. His master's research project was an IMC plan for the Building Wealth Initiative, a local nonprofit in Southern California specializing in financial education, with a focus on community awareness and engagement. He has presented his research at conferences such as the Public Relations Society of America, the Association of Marketing Theory and Practice, the Eastern Communication Association, and the Model United Nations. Ramtin hopes to discover more effective ways of engaging in strategic communication and UX using new tools such as conversational and generative AI to create more meaningful connections and enhanced experiences.
Education
Ph.D. in Strategic Communication and Media Studies, 2024 - Present
University of Oregon
Inside specialties: User experience and new media
Outside specialties: Information and data science
Advisor: Dr. Dean Mundy
M.A. in Communication Studies, 2022 - 2024
California State University - San Bernardino
Specialties: Public relations and integrated marketing communications
Advisor: Dr. Theo Mazumdar
Master's Research Project: Empowering Change to Shape Tomorrow: An Integrated Marketing Communications Plan for the Building Wealth Initiative
B.S. in Computer Engineering, 2017 - 2021
San Diego State University
Specialty: Front-end web development
Publications
Ranjpour, R. (2024). Empowering Change to Shape Tomorrow: An Integrated Marketing Communications Plan for the Building Wealth Initiative. ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/2005
Ranjpour, R. (2024). The Significant Role of SEO in Effective Web Marketing: A Critical Literature Review. Association of Marketing Theory & Practice Proceedings, 23. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/amtp-proceedings_2024/23
Ranjpour, R. (In press). Achieving Communication Excellence: Applying the Excellence Theory to Small E-commerce Businesses. PRSA Educators Academy Summit Proceedings.
Honors and Awards:
2024 SOJC Research Grant, School of Journalism and Communication at UO ($1,200)
2024 Lorry I. Lokey Fellowship, School of Journalism and Communication at UO ($5,000)
2024-2028 Columbia Scholarship, School of Journalism and Communication at UO ($4,000)
2024 Rising Star Scholarship, Public Relations Society of America—Inland Empire Chapter ($1,000)
2024 Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year, College of Arts and Letters at CSUSB
2024 Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year, Department of Communication & Media at CSUSB
2024 Outstanding Thesis/Project of the Year, Department of Communication & Media at CSUSB
2024 International Student Honors Award, College of Extended and Global Education at CSUSB
2023 Betsy Plank Award—Top Graduate Student Paper, Public Relations Society of America ($1,000)
2023 SSI Graduate Research Award, California State University—San Bernardino ($2,000)
2023 ASI Research & Travel Award, California State University—San Bernardino ($1,000)
2023 Distinguished Delegation Award, Model United Nations
2023 Presidential Scholarship, Phi Beta Delta Honor Society ($833)
2017-2021 Millennium Scholarship, San Diego State University ($15,187)