Dr. Cotton is an assistant professor teaching a variety of communications theory and journalism skills classes. His research interests include mass media use and cultural implications of the mass media. In the summer of 2001, Dr. Cotton worked in the newsroom of WPTV, the NBC affiliate station in West Palm Beach, Fla.

He completed his doctorate in journalism and mass communications from the University of Georgia's H.W. Grady College of Journalism in June 2002. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in humanities from Virginia Union University in 1985 and his master of science degree from Iowa State University in journalism and mass communication in 1989.