Faculty and Staff

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Department Chair - Roseanna Ross

Office number: WSB 148; (320) 308-2217
E-mail address: rgross@stcloudstate.edu

Faculty

Traci Anderson

Office number: WSB 137; (320) 308-1259
E-mail address: tlanderson@stcloudstate.edu

Jeff Bineham

Office number: WH 201; (320) 308-3253
E-mail address: bineham@stcloudstate.edu
Website: http://web.stcloudstate.edu/jbineham

Degrees held and granting institutions
Ph.D. from Purdue University, 1986
M.A. from Purdue University, 1983
B.A. from George Fox College, Newberg, OR, 1980

Primary and/or current research interests
My writing and teaching is informed by two basic questions. First, how does communication create reality for people? And second, how can students best learn to have a voice in the creation and management of their worlds? My specific research interests are in philosophy of communication, especially the connections between communication and philosophical hermeneutics, and in rhetorical theory and criticism, especially the analysis of religious and political discourse in popular culture.

International Connections
In addition to my travels in Europe and Central America, I taught in Alnwick, England, during the summer of 2001 and I will direct the St. Cloud State University program there during the fall of 2006.

Wendy Bjorklund

Office number: WSB 139; (320) 308-1512
E-mail address: wlbjorklund@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Minnesota.

Primary and/or current research interests
I tend to study interpersonal conflict within an organizational context. Currently, I am looking at how we frame relationships with other parties affects the way in which we engage in facework during a negotiation.

International Connections
This is a weakness. Other than vacationing in the Caribbean and Mexico, and doing business in Canada, I have not studied, taught or done research abroad. This could be why I am such a big proponent for our students to study abroad.

Bassey A. Eyo

Office number: WSB 153; (320) 308-3033
E-mail address: baeyo@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
Ph.D. – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
MA – University of Wisconsin-Steven’s Point
BA - – University of Wisconsin-Steven’s Point

Primary and/or current research interests

1. Holistic – Relational Leadership Praxis
2. Communication and Relational Wisdom for the New World of Work

International Connections

1. Nigeria Universities Network: enhancing capacity in library collections/acquisitions
2. Nigeria Universities Network: curriculum development support for communication education

Other
Dr. Eyo is the Career Advisor for the Communication Studies Department.

Bruce Hyde

Office number: WSB 134; (320) 308-5162
E-mail address: rbruce@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
BS Northwestern, MS University of North Texas,
PhD University of Southern California

Primary and/or current research interests

• Dialogue/nonpolarized and nonpolarizing discourse as a means for discussing problematic social issues
• I am currently assigned half-time to the Dept. of Theatre, Film Studies and Dance, where I teach acting and chair the department.

International Connections
In 2007 I will direct the International Program in Alnwick, England

Denee Janda

Office Number: WSB 103A; (320) 308-5279
E-mail address: dajanda@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
BA: University of Nebraska-Lincoln; MA: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Primary and/or current research interests
I am interested in interpersonal communication and mediation and conflict resolution.

Other
I enjoy playing clarinet and alto saxophone in my free time, including in several ensembles in the St. Cloud area.

Debra Japp

Office Number: WSB 161; (320) 308-3158
E-mail address:  dkjapp@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
BA 1979, MA 1986, PhD 1989 University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Marla Kanengieter

Office Number: EH 205; (320) 308-4981
E-mail address:  mkanengieter@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
BA 1982 Colorado State University
MS 1987, PhD 1990 University of Oregon

Judith K.  Litterst

Office number: WSB 163; (320) 308-2291
E-mail address: jklitterst@stcloudstate.edu
Website: http://web.stcloudstate.edu/jklitterst

Degrees held and granting institutions
B.A. Central Michigan University
M.A. Bradley University
C.A.S. Northern Illinois University
Ph.D. University of Minnesota

Primary and/or current research interests
My primary research areas are in (1) communication pedagogy, (2) communication and aging, and (3) nonverbal communication. I have projects I am currently revising on educational (civic) engagement, redefining/re-conceptualizing elder care-giving, symbolic significance of the wearing of headscarves by Muslim women, and broadcaster nonverbal communication during the attack on the World Trade Center.

International Connections
I have taught on the Alnwick, England program twice and currently maintain research connections in the areas of nonverbal communication and communication and aging with colleagues at Anadolu University in Eskisehir, Turkey.

Other
Dr. Litterst is the CMST advisor for the Communication Arts and Literature B.S. teaching major. She currently serves as the Chair of SCSU’s General Education Committee.

Mridula Mascarenhas

Office number: WSB 103B; (320) 308-2273
E-mail Address: mamascarenhas@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
Masters in Communication (2004) University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Masters in Industrial Psychology (2002) Mumbai University, India
Bachelors in Psychology (1997) St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, India

Primary and/or current research interests
I am interested in critical analyses of political and cultural messages, teaching as a form of communication, and organizational communication.

Eddah Mutua-Kombo

Office number: WSB 141; (320) 308-4892 
E-mail address:  emmutuakombo@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
B.A. 1988, University of Nairobi
M.A. 1992, City University
Ph.D. 2000, University of Wales

Marge Pryately

Office number: WSB 162; (320) 308-4980
E-mail address: mjpryately@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
Ph. D – University of Oklahoma (1989) – Intercultural Communication
M.A. – Miami University, Oxford, OH (1976) – Organizational Communication
B.A. – Miami University, Oxford, OH (1975) – General Speech Communication

Primary and/or current research interests
I have studied service-learning in the U.S. and Japan. I have also developed training programs for graduate teaching assistants. I am currently looking at comparative values systems in Japan and Great Britain and at the “Lost Generation” of first generation immigrants.

Other
Advisor for intercultural minors
Serves on the East Asian Studies Committee

Joanna K. Pucel

Office number: WSB 159; (320) 308-2958
E-mail address: jkpucel@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
MA University of Minnesota (Mpls.)
BS St. Cloud State University

Primary and/or current research interests
Research interests include: communication apprehension, organizational communication, and health communication—specifically in the area of cardiac care.

International Connections
Taught through the Center for International Studies: British Studies Program in Alnwick, England

Diana Rehling

Office number: WSB 164; (320) 308-1693
E-mail address: dlrehling@stcloudstate.edu
Website: http://web.stcloudstate.edu/dlrehling/

Degrees held and granting institutions
BA—U of ND at Grand Forks
MA—U of Illinois at Champaign
Ph.D.—U of Nebraska at Lincoln

Jeff Ringer

Office number: WSB 156; (320) 308-5540
E-mail address: ringer@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
BA, Edinboro State University, 1979
MA, Fairfield University, 1984
Ph.D., Ohio University, 1987

Primary and/or current research interests
Communication and Gay Men’s Intimate Partnerships
Cell Phone Use Among Japanese Students

International Connections
I have conducted several study abroad programs in connection with Aalborg University in Denmark. I taught English as a second language at Akita University for three years and taught the basic communication course at an international university in Japan for two years. I also taught in Ingolstadt, Germany, spring 2007.

Other
I am currently a mediator for the SCSU Campus Mediation Program and am working to develop a volunteer mediation program for students.

Roseanna Gaye Ross, Department Chair

Office number: WSB 148; (320) 308-2217
E-mail address: rgross@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
BSEd, English with Speech and Theatre minor, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
MA, Speech Communication, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
PhD, Communication Theory (interpersonal and small group emphasis), related areas of study in community counseling and higher education, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

Primary research/study interests
Conflict management and mediation, experiential learning theory, internships, study abroad, professional and organizational development in higher education, mentoring (in both the profit and nonprofit sectors), story telling, applied organizational communication.

International Connections
Previous experience in teaching, studying, and/or managing programs abroad in the following countries: Japan, England, Denmark, and Kenya. Conducted research in conflict management in England and Denmark; developed coursework addressing communication and relationship development in Japan. Collected traditional stories in all of these countries, as well as in Ireland and Great Britain.

Collette Rubel

Office number: WSB 103D; (320) 308-2903 
E-mail address:  csrubel@stcloudstate.edu

Loren Schwarzwalter

Office number: WH 307; (320) 308- 
E-mail address: 

Pam Secklin

Office number: WH 202A; (320) 308-5193  
E-mail address:  plsecklin@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions: 
BA Northern Michigan University 1986
MA University of South Florida 1988 
PH.D. Purdue University 1995

Primary and/or current research interests:
Interpersonal and Health Communication, the study of intimate relationships across various contexts. Research and publication interests in ethnographic, auto-ethnographic, and narrative modes of inquiry. Courses frequently taught at SCSU: Interpersonal Communication; Special Topics in The Dark Side of Close Relationships; Health Communication; Family Communication.

Other
Dr. Secklin is the Graduate Advisor for the Communication Studies Department.

Jennifer Anderson Senchea

Office number: WSB 142
Phone: (320) 308-3230
E-mail address: jasenchea@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions:
B.A. (Speech Communication) - California State Univ., Bakersfield - 1989
M.A. (Speech Communication) - Miami Univ., Oxford, Ohio - 1990
Ph.D. (Interpersonal Communication) - Univ. of Iowa - 1998

Primary and/or current research interests: 
The social construction and performance of gender; the 'bureaucratization' of marriage in U.S. immigration policy; pedagogical techniques in communication studies courses; student perceptions of academically dishonest practices.

International Connections:
I am currently a member of an interdisciplinary research team investigating student perceptions of academic dishonesty in central European, post-communist countries. We are currently collecting data in Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia .

Tami Spry

Office number: EH 205; (320) 308-5253
E-mail address: tlspry@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
PhD Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
MA Eastern Michigan University
BS Eastern Michigan University

Primary and/or current research interests
She teaches courses in performance studies and communication theory.  Dr. Spry performs her autobiographical and autoethnographic work around the country, focusing on issues of gender violence, mental illness, race relationships, shamanic healing, and loss.  Tami is currently working on a book, Paper and Skin: Writing and Performing the Autoethnographic Life. Her publications appear in Text and Performance Quarterly, Qualitative Inquiry, and Women and Language as well as chapters in various anthologies, most recently in Voices Made Flesh: Women and Autobiography.  

International Connections
Chile and Peru: Ethnographic work with Mapuche and Peruvian shaman on the performative dimensions of healing rituals.

Other
Director of Players Performance Group

Suzanne Stangl-Erkens

Office number: WSB 160; (320) 308-2208
E-mail address: erkens@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
M.A. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Primary and/or current research interests
I am interested in the research of language as a social creation; the influence of language on thought and action; and how special interest groups manipulate language to portray their worldviews. I am also interested in pedagogical research.

Renee Strom

Office number: WSB 140; (320) 308-1291 
E-mail address:  restrom@stcloudstate.edu

Paula S. Tompkins

Office number: WSB 154; (320) 308-4982
E-mail address: pstompkins@stcloudstate.edu
Website: web.stcloudstate.edu/pstompkins

Degrees held and granting institutions
BA 1978 (English), University of Kansas
M.A. 1980 (Speech Communication and Human Relations)
PhD 1987 (Speech-Communication) University of Minnesota—Twin Cities

Primary and/or current research interests
The questions I find interesting to study are questions communication ethics in our public or rhetorical communication. Most recently I have been looking at issues of justice, civility, and integrity in our public discourse.

International Connections
I have taught in the SCSU British Studies program in Alnwick, England.

Other
In my other lives outside of academia I read science fiction and spend time in the “current” Middle Ages.

David Tschida

Office number: WSB 136; (320) 308-1254
E-mail address: datschida@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
Ph.D. - University of Missouri (2004)
M.A. - University of Nebraska (1996)
B.A. - St. Cloud State University (1994)

Primary and/or current research interests
My primary teaching and research interests are in critical or rhetorical studies of the media (primarily television) and in communication in environmental issues. Recent topics of interest include the representation of the environment in television programming/documentaries, the representation of the environment in national park publications and websites, and on political content in entertainment television.

Other
I am the co-advisor of Comm. Club

Jennifer Tuder

Office number: WSB 135; (320) 308-3125
E-mail address: jltuder@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions:
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre; University of Northern Iowa; 1996.
Master of Arts in Communication Studies; Arizona State University; 1998.
Doctor of Philosophy in Speech Communication with Performance Studies Emphasis; Southern Illinois University; 2002.

Primary and/or current research interests
I am interested in performance as a way of knowing the world (performance methodology), the performance of grieving and loss, performance art and artists, performative writing, and performance of identity.

Other
I am also the interim co-director of the Players Performance Group. Currently, I am writing and developing a one-woman show, Sex Across the Curriculum, for performance in Spring 2005.

Erika Vora

Office number: WSB 152; (320) 308-3240
E-mail address: ewvora@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
Ph.D. State University of New York at Buffalo
MS. University of Bridgeport
M.A. University of Bridgeport

Primary and/or current research interests
Dr. Vora’s primary research interests include reducing prejudice, the nonviolent conflict management approaches of Mahatma Gandhi and of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, intercultural listening, and intercultural marriage.

She is currently writing a book entitled, “Daughters of the Fatherland”. It is based on the experiences of German women who had to flee from their homes during World War II. Erika has just finished writing " A Contingency Framework for Listening to the Dying" (with Ariana Vora, Harvard University). The Journal of International Listening, Volume 22, No.1, 2008.

International Connections
Dr. Vora was a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan, Republic of China, and visiting professor in South Africa, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, India and Australia. She has frequently directed international studies programs in Germany.

Other
Dr. Vora was a President of the Fulbright Association, Minnesota Chapter. She is the advisor to the International Students Association.

Dave Warne

Office number: WSB 151; (320) 308-5415
E-mail address:  dlwarne@stcloudstate.edu
Website: Warne Class Page
Website is used for class syllabus distribution and is not a personal but more of a professional web space.

Degrees held and granting institutions:
Alumni of South Dakota State University and Dakota State College, SD.
Currently enrolled at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Organizational Leadership Program

Primary and/or current research interests:
Current interests include those topics explored in Saint Mary's coursework. Currently, I am studying organizational change in higher education institutions and faculty action (and perhaps more importantly reaction) prompted by the institutional assessment processes.

International Connections:
I am not currently involved professionally with any formal international programs. Connections are personal friends and academic colleagues from a variety of locations representing many provocative perspectives.

Scott Wells

Office number: WSB 155; (320) 308-3000
E-mail address: sdwells@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions
B.A. 1993, M.A. 1995, Wichita State University
Ph.D. 2001, University of Oklahoma-Norman

Primary and/or current research interests
Civic engagement, service-learning, campaign strategy, grassroots political communication, speechwriting, forensics pedagogy

Other
Dr. Wells also serves as Director of SCSU Speech & Debate (Forensics). To learn more about forensics, visit http://studentorg.stcloudstate.edu/forensics/forensics.html.

Frequently Taught Courses
CMST 192 Introduction to Communication
CMST 211 Public Speaking
CMST 213 Small Group Communication
CMST 323 Speechwriting.

Selected Recent Publications

• Spiker, J. A., Lin, Y., & Wells, S. D. (2003). The voice of young citizens: A study of political malaise in Campaign 2000. Edited by L. L. Kaid, J. C. Tedesco, & M. S. McKinney in The Millennium Election: Communication in the 2000 Campaign. New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
• Allen, M., Bourhis, J., Mabry, E., Emmers-Sommer, T., Titsworth, S., Burrell, N., Mattrey, M., Crowell, T., Bakkar, A., Hamilton, A., Malyshev, Y., Robertson, T., Scholl, J., & Wells, S. (2001, Fall). Meta-analysis comparing student satisfaction with distance education and traditional classrooms: A preliminary analysis. Journal of Distance Education
• Hall, T., Brown, K., Ferguson, M., Hughes, K., Wells, S., & Zuckerman, D. (2001). Communication and Sharing--An Introduction to Speech Communication: Student Workbook. Carrollton, TX: Alliance Press.
• Robertson, T., Froemling, K., Wells, S., & McGraw, S. (2000, Summer). Sex, lies and videotapes: An analysis of gender in campaign advertisements. Communication Quarterly, 47 (3), 333-341.

Dan Wildeson

Office address:  WH 201A; (320) 308-4868
E-mail address:  dlwildeson@stcloudstate.edu

Degrees held and granting institutions:
Ph.D. University of Oregon
MA Colorado State University
BA Biola University

Primary and/or current research interests: 
The interest area that informs my teaching and research is rhetorical studies with respect to the following topics: ethics, language, argumentation, and communication problematics.

International Connections: 
I taught for two years at Akita National University, Akita, Japan. I taught for a semester at the International College of Beijing, Beijing, China, in their joint program with the University of Colorado at Denver. In addition to this I have lived and traveled in 17 countries.

Staff

Diana Leither

Office Address:  WSB 129; (320) 308-3210
E-mail address: dcleither@stcloudstate.edu
Website: http://web.stcloudstate.edu/dcleither/

Hobbies/Interests/Other information
I am the academic assistant for the department. I assist the chairperson in preparing the semester course schedules and assist the professors with classroom and professional materials. Outside interests include being the troop leader for my daughter’s girl scout troop.

Nancy Michael

Office Address:  WSB 129; (320) 308-2216
E-mail address: nkmichael@stcloudstate.edu

Hobbies/Interests/Other information
Serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Communication Studies Department; the department chair, faculty, committees, students and the general public. Manages the department budget, administrative materials, class enrollment figures, and numerous reports.