Academic History

Professional Experience

Professor. July 2020-Present. Department of Applied Communication Studies, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Associate Professor. July 2015-June 2020. Department of Applied Communication Studies, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Assistant Professor. August 2009-June 2015. Department of Applied Communication Studies (Formerly Speech Communication), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Administrative Experience

Assistant Department Chair

Department of Applied Communication Studies

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

April 2016 to present

Course scheduler and primary contact for related logistics

Coordinate major/minor student enrollment management with the Dean’s office

Attend and participate in college-level budget meetings

Update and maintain department operating papers

Complete administrative special projects as requested

Serve as Department Chair when chair is unavailable

Academic Continuity Task Force Co-Chair

Office of the Provost

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

March 2019-May 2021

Led group of 30+ students, faculty, and staff to make decisions that support academic excellence while preserving health and safety of the campus during the COVID-19 pandemic

Engaged in curriculum planning for 2020-2021 academic year and Fall 2021 semester

Provided recommendations for course modalities, strategies and procedures for the academic year, support for new, returning, and transfer students, continuity of research, sabbatical policy, tenure and promotion policy, and use of student evaluations of teaching

Consulted with departments across campus, including scheduling facilities, the registrar, student affairs, instructional technology, disability support services, and the Provost’s office

Director of the Basic Course and TA Director

Department of Applied Communication Studies

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

July 2014 to June 2018

Oversaw the basic public speaking course and introductory interpersonal communication course

Developed (with A. Alexander) and updated the standardized basic course packet used by all ACS 101 instructors

Designed and managed hybrid ACS 101: Public Speaking (~1200 students/year)

Created Instructor Course Packet for all ACS 101 instructors

Modified and updated the Graduate Teaching Assistant Training Manual

Recruited, hired, and trained Graduate Teaching Assistants

Graduate Director

Department of Applied Communication Studies (Formerly Speech Communication)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

May 2010 to July 2014

Recruited and advised graduate students

Revised graduate policies and curriculum to improve program rigor

Modified exit rubrics to better assess program learning objectives and determine course of action if objectives are not met

Developed a Graduate Policies and Procedures Handbook for consistency in graduate student practices

Responsible for yearly assessment and performance reports, including assessing impact of programmatic changes, monitoring enrollment trends, and identifying areas of continuous improvement

American Cancer Society/Scripps College of Communication Partnership Coordinator

Scripps College of Communication Studies

Ohio University

August 2008 to June 2009

Liaison between the American Cancer Society and Scripps College of Communication grantees

Processed and monitored funded American Cancer Society grant expenditures

Summarized grantee activity and fund expenditures to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies

Education

Ph.D. Ohio University, June 2009

Communication Studies

Primary areas: Interpersonal Communication and Computer-Mediated Communication

Related areas: Organizational Communication and Leadership

Dissertation: Reconnecting with the Dead via Facebook: Examining Transcorporeal Communication as a Way to Maintain Relationships

Advisors: Dr. Laura Black and Dr. B. Scott Titsworth

Committee Members: Dr. Jennifer Bute and Dr. Jennifer Chabot

M.S. South Dakota State University, 2006

Communication Studies and Journalism

Thesis: Nonverbal Communication Behavior of Successful Leaders on NBC’s “The Apprentice 3”

Advisor: Dr. Laurie Haleta

B.S. South Dakota State University, 2004

Communication Studies and Theatre

Minor: Journalism

Magna Cum Laude