I took my first COMM class as part of my Gen Ed core at James Madison University, and was excited to discover that I could major in studying how people interact with one another. After getting my BS in Communication Studies at JMU, I went to West Virginia University, where I earned both my MA and PhD in Communication Studies. Although I am primarily trained as a quantitative researcher, I have done qualitative work as well. My areas of emphasis are family and interpersonal communication; specifically, I study nontraditional families and the dark side of romantic relationships. I chose ETSU because I wanted to work at a smaller institution where I could get to know my students and have flexibility in teaching within my areas of expertise. I stayed because I enjoy my colleagues and the students here. I can’t see myself anywhere else! Outside of my classroom and my research, I am also the graduate coordinator for our MA in Communication and Storytelling Studies, and I love chatting with students about our unique program.

Teaching Focus

Most of my courses are relationally-based, such as Relational Communication or Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication. I’m very interested in how individuals co-create relationships and develop patterns and expectations of behavior within them. I also teach the quantitative methods class, where we have fun doing statistics!

• • COMM 3330 - Quantitative Research Methods
  • COMM 3350 - Relational Communication
  • COMM 4200 - Gender & Communication
  • COMM 4450 - Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication

 

Scholarly Intersts / Publications

My research focuses on how individuals relate to one another; I have explored the darker elements of romantic relationships, how instructors and students can form stronger, more productive relationships, and how families create patterns of interaction.  Most of my research is focused on adoptive families, and I am particularly interested in how adoptees and their adoptive families communicate about and with members of the adoptee’s birth family.
Click Here for a Complete List of Publications

 

On A More Personal Note

I am originally from southeast Virginia, and while I do miss the ocean, I have learned to love the mountains. When I’m not teaching, I might be reading, cross-stitching, or spending time with my husband Luke. I love plants and am quite proud of my small indoor rain forest.