Director
Ryan Goke, PhD
Dr. Ryan Goke is the Director of the Speech and Debate Union and an Assistant Professor in the department of Org Com & Leadership.
Dr. Goke has coached two universities to dozens of state and national championships since he started coaching in the fall of 2017. As a graduate student he coached Murray State to a national championship in NPDA debate in 2019 and North Dakota ranked 2nd in the nation in NPDA under his coaching in 2021. In 2024 Murray once again claimed the novice NPDA championship title.
For his exceptional mentorship he has received the Margaret Greynolds Coach of the Year award from the Kentucky Forensics Association and the Forensics Educator of the Year award from the Southern States Communication Association.
Dr. Goke believes debate and public speaking can be learned by anyone and that those skills require time and commitment to develop. He loves helping people of all ages improve their communication skills and tackle their fear of public speaking.
Dr. Goke completed his Ph.D. in Organizational Communication at North Dakota State University in 2023, his Masters from Murray State in 2019, and his Bachelors from Tennessee Tech in 2017.
He specializes in argumentation, organizational dynamics, and conflict management. His research focuses on interpersonal relationships in the workplace, communication in the classroom, conflict management, and mentorship in the world of speech and debate.
Graduate Assistants
Jillian Rosa
Jillian A. Rosa is the Head Debate Coach and Assistant Director of the Murray State Speech and Debate Union. She is a graduate student in the department of Organizational Communication and Leadership. Jillian graduated from Murray State with a Bachelor’s of Science in Organizational Communication in May 2021. She competed with the Speech and Debate Union from Fall 2019 to Spring 2021 in NPDA and IPDA debate and Impromptu Speaking. Jillian has won several awards, including the Top Debate Critic award as a judge at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Hub City Swing in 2023. Beyond Speech and Debate, Jillian teaches Public Speaking for Murray State and has research focuses of health communication, political communication, and policy evaluation. Her research is nearly all applied, as she believes research is most impactful when the outcomes can be used by everyone.
Ana Moyers
Ana Moyers is the Head IE coach and Assistant Director of the SDU. She is also a graduate student in the Department of Organizational Communication and Leadership at Murray State University. She received her bachelor of arts in Organizational Communication from Murray State University in May 2023. She competed in the Speech and Debate Union from Fall 2019 to Spring 2020 and is experienced in public address and Interpretation. Additionally, she served as three-term President of HC Franklin’s Residential College Council, four-term President of Omicron Sigma Kappa, and two-term President of Lambda Pi Eta, the Honor Society for Communication. While in undergrad, she was awarded the 2022/2023 Murray State Student Organization President of the Year, 2022/23 VP of Student Affairs Top 10 Leaders, 2022/23 Who’s Who at Murray State, 2022/23 Outstanding Senior in Organizational Communication, 2022/23 Dr. Don Robertson Residential College Spirit Award, 2021/2022 & 2022/23 Residential Hall President of the year, 2020/21 & 2021/22 Dr. Frank Julian Outstanding Residential College Leader Award NRHH , 2020/21 & 2021/22 Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business Barbara Cochran Breazel Fellowship Award. She, additionally, participated in Murray State’s All Campus Sing 2020-2023, Homecoming Court 2022/2023, and Ms. MSU Pageant.