Her Story
About Beatrice
Beatrice Amissah is a health communication researcher and doctoral student at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, where she has pursued her studies since beginning her communication career in 2010. She holds two master's degrees, earned in 2016 and 2026 from Illinois State University. Her research explores the intersection of health and culture, particularly in reproductive and sexual health, examining message framing through a cultural lens, persuasion techniques, and patient-provider communication to help individuals make informed health decisions free from cultural constraints. As a public speaking instructor, she teaches undergraduates and mentors young women, drawing from her background as an African woman from Guinea. Amissah is an active member of the National Communication Association, the Central States Communication Association, and the South States Communication Association. She attributes her success to hard work and faith, values being human first by extending grace and understanding to others, remaining open-minded, and collaborating effectively in teams. Her career advice emphasizes putting one's best foot forward and carving out a unique niche in the field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Beatrice
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work. I have worked hard over the years. As I mentioned earlier, I started this communication journey way back in 2010, when I started my undergraduate studies. And I have worked hard, I have seen a vision that I have held onto for a very long time, and I haven't relented in achieving that dream or goal, so it is hard work, and also being a Christian, I would say that it's been prayers and support from God.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The career advice I have ever received from someone is to put my best foot forward. I've always wanted to be a professor within the field of communication... the advice I have received this also cultured special niche for myself that will make me unique in the field, because it is a big field with lots of people, so what makes you unique? What makes you stand out? So the advice is to stand out, regardless of the number of people that are in the field.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I have for young women out there, especially in a world that is a man's world, I would advise them to keep pushing, to keep making their voices heard, to ensure that nobody looks down on them, and most importantly, they shouldn't look down on themselves because they are women. Because, well, men are achieving, but we can also achieve, and at the end of the day, your gender or who you are should not limit to what you can achieve. So that's the advice I have for them. They should keep pushing, they should keep motivating themselves, and not be influenced by all the noise that is out there.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In the communication field, there are a lot of opportunities, actually. There are lots of schools or universities that give funding to graduate students in the form of assistantships... And for challenges, the communication field is getting saturated... Find a special niche for yourself and step towards something that will make you unique.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Even though I am trying to be an academic, first and foremost, I'm human, so I try to be human. That's the first thing, and I also try to give people grace. I try to understand people from their own perspective, so where they are coming from, and not to be quick to judge them. Also, I am an open-minded person who learns from other people as well. I'm also a teams person. I'm able to work with groups of people to achieve common results or common goals.
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