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