Areas of Research Interest
- Intercultural Communication
- Specifically: Mexican Americans
- Minority First Generation College Students
- Communication Apprehension
- Specifically: Video Games influence on social development and links to communication field
- Rhetorical Communication
- Specifically: Reality TV social messages,
- Sexual Representations in NFL media publications
- Developing Research Interest and Current Projects:
- Phenomenological Analysis of Homeless and Prostitute members of Chicago's inner-city
- Implementing CommuniCoach evaluation program at College of DuPage
Recent Courses Taught
- Speech 1100: Fundamentals of Speech Communication (COD),
- Introduction to Communication (South Texas),
- Interpersonal Communication (South Texas),
- Business and Professional Speaking (South Texas)
Publications, Presentations, Books, Etc...
- Publication in print:
- Paving the Way: First-Generation Mexican American Community College Students in a Border Community Speak Out (co-authored with Angela Putman of Collin County Community College); International and Intercultural Communication Annual, Volume XXVIII
- Upcoming Presentation (November 2005 at National Communication Association, Boston) Panel: Faculty Culture Shock: Adjusting to a new college and diverse student populations
- Past NCA presentations:
- NCA 2004: The Game That Can't Be Won: Video Game impact on Communication Apprehension
- NCA 2004: G.I.F.T.S. Presentation: Bag 'o Tricks Impromptu Speaking Exercise
- NCA 2003: Paper Presentation of Paving the Way (listed above)
Education
- M.A. in Human Communication, Speech (University of Northern Colorado)
- B.A. in Speech Communication and Journalism/Mass Communication (double major, University of Northern Colorado)