Yearbook Advisor

Education

• B.A. - Art California Lutheran University 1991

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

Previous Experience

• Fall 2007 - Spring 2017: Concordia University - Director of Forensics & Assistant Professor in Comm Studies
• Fall 2006 - Spring 2007: Wheaton College - Director of Forensics & Visiting Instructor in Comm Studies
• Fall 2001 - Spring 2006: Azusa Pacific University - Director of Forensics & Instructor in Comm Studies
• Fall 1996 - Spring 2011: Point Loma Nazarene University - Assistant Director of Forensics and Visiting Instructor in Comm Studies

Degrees

• Master of Arts in Communication - San Diego State University
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Biola University

Research Interests

• Computer Mediated Communication
• Intercollegiate Forensics
• Communication and Grief (new interest area)

Classes Taught at Concordia

• COM 111: Public Speaking
• COM 200: Gateway to Communication Studies
• COM 211: Introduction to Argumentation and Debate
• COM 211H: Introduction to Argumentation and Debate: Honors
• COM 280: Theories of Human Communication
• COM 335: Nonverbal Communication
• COM 340: Persuasion & Attitude Change
• COM 451: Organizational Communication
• COM 488: Communication Research Methods

Adjunct Professor of Communication Studies

Previous Experience

Professor Heinly has owned her own PR and marketing consulting firm, J&J Consulting, for 25 years. Prior to founding her business, she worked for companies and PR agencies in Southern California and Denver.

Degrees

• MBA from Pepperdine University
• BA in Communications, Public Relations Emphasis at Cal State Fullerton

Classes Taught at Concordia

• COM 422: Studies/Public Relations

Biography

Jennifer Heinly has more than 25 years of experience in public relations and marketing. Current and past clients include those in the health care, legal, high tech, publishing, construction/engineering services, sports marketing, food, insurance and financial service industries.

Professor Heinly's current areas of expertise include media relations, news release/article writing, and public relations/marketing planning.

While working for several advertising and public relations agencies in Southern California and Denver, Professor Heinly’s account experience included computer peripherals and software, telecommunication, electronic components, real estate, state government, non-profit, travel, financial services, education, sports promotion/marketing, and medical.

Professor Heinly is the past Chair IPA Section of PRSA; past Programming Chair for IPA Section of PRSA; past president of the International Association of Business Communicators, Colorado Chapter; and a past member of the Colorado Sports Council, Short Track Speed Skating Championships committee. She is currently the secretary for the Healthcare PR and Marketing Association.

She has also spoken on marketing and public relations on behalf of the following organizations:

• Guest speaker for public relations courses at California State Fullerton, Biola University, Concordia University, and Cal State Dominquez Hills
• Colorado National Bank, Small Business Division
• Institute of Certified Financial Planners, Colorado Society
• Aurora Association of Life Underwriters
• Colorado Municipal League
• Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce, New Business Breakfast Club and Women Business Owners' Network
• Longmont Chamber of Commerce
• Small Business Development Center

Extracurricular Activities

Professor Heinly has played competitive tennis for 43 years, and also enjoys yoga and Pilates.

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

Biography

Dr. Erin Nelson is an Orange County native and loves being part of the family at CUI. Her research interests include interpersonal and family communication with an emphasis on health, specifically how cancer patients manage their uncertainty and disclosures to family members. She has recently been published in Health Communication, an article titled ‘Cyberframing Cancer: An Exploratory Investigation of Valenced Cybercoping on Cancer Blogs.’ She is a member of the National Communication Association and has presented over 25 conference papers, published three book chapters, and is working on many research projects surrounding issues of health and interpersonal communication. She is passionate about teaching and you can definitely tell when you enroll in her classes. She builds personal relationships and helps guide her students toward achieving future aspirations. Feel free to stop by anytime because she loves to get to know our Communication Studies majors!

Education

• Ph.D. Communication - University of Texas at Austin
• M.A. Communication - San Diego State University
• B.A. Communication - University of California, Santa Barbara

Research

• Interpersonal Communication
• Health Communication
• Family Communication

Publications

• Donovan, E., Nelson, E. C., & Scheinfeld, E. (2016). Cyberframing cancer: An exploratory investigation of valenced cybercoping on cancer blogs. Health Communication.
• Vangelisti, A. L., & Nelson, E. C. (2015). The morality of revealing secrets. In V.Waldron, & D. Kelley (Eds.), Moral talk across the lifespan: Creating good relationships. New York: Peter Lang Publishing
• Hanan, J., Bagley, M., & Nelson, E. (2014). Sources for your presentation. In J. L. Ford, K. Stimpson, & J. Daly (Eds.), Professional communication skills (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
• Bolkan, S. & Nelson, E. (2014). Speaking to inform. In J. L. Ford, K. Stimpson, & J. Daly (Eds.), Professional communication skills (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Classes Taught at Concordia

• COM 280: Theories of Human Communication
• COM 335: Nonverbal Communication
• COM 340: Persuasion & Attitude
• COM 371: Introduction to Social Media
• COM 471: Advanced Strategies in Social Media

Curriculum Vitae

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

Professional Experience

• Concordia University Irvine, 2002-present, Adjunct, Resident Faculty, and now Assistant Professor
• Pacific Southwest District Office, LCMS, 2000-2002, Assistant Editor
• Prudential Financial Services, 1989-1996, Manager of Employee Development, Corporate Comptroller's Department
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 1984-1989, Instructor; teaching Public Speaking, Interpersonal & Small Group Communication, Critical Thinking

Research Interests

• Interpersonal and Family Communication
• Small Group Communication
• Organizational Communication and Employee Development

Classes taught at Concordia

• COM 111: Public Speaking
• COM 216: Interpersonal Communication
• COM 280: Theories of Human Communication
• COM 328: Small Group Communication
• COM 344: Theories & Practice of Interviewing

Degrees

• M.A. University of California Santa Barbara
• B.A. University of California Santa Barbara
• Additional graduate coursework at the University of Illinois and Regent University

Extracurricular Activities

Professor Ollry enjoys spending time with immediate and extended family and friends, attending concerts, art and historical venues, traveling, crafting, and reading.

Professor of Communication Studies

Previous Experience

Dr. Schulz's began teaching in 1995 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he taught: public speaking, interpersonal communication, argumentation & debate, and was an assistant coach for the speech and debate team. In 1998, he moved to The Pennsylvania State University where he taught: public speaking, rhetorical theory, and a series of courses as the director for the Speech Communication's department continuing education and distance learning program. He also taught a communication skills for Engineers course that was designed for doctoral students in Penn State's Engineering program. In 2002, he moved to California State University, Stanislaus, where he taught: Introduction to Communications, Rhetorical Theory, Persuasive Messages, Intercultural Communication, Freedom of Speech and Press and served as a mentor for the Faculty Mentor Program. In 2006 he moved to Washington to start a new degree program in Communications at Trinity Lutheran College, where he taught: Public Speaking, Advertising & Marketing, Rhetorical Theory, Research Methods, Senior Capstone, Persuasive Messages and study abroad trips to Greece and Italy.

Degrees

• Ph.D. - Penn State
• Master of Arts - University of Las Vegas
• Bachelor of Arts - Western Washington University
• Associate of Arts - Clark Community College

Research Interests

• Rhetorical Theory
• Public Memory
• Social Movements
• Rhetorics of Technology

Classes Taught at Concordia

• COM 111: Public Speaking
• COM 311: Advanced Public Speaking
• COM 340: Persuasion & Attitude Change
• COM 485: Rhetorical Criticism

Extracurricular Activities

• CUI Bono

We are what we speak.

Interim Communications Department Chair
Professor of English
Assistant Dean, School of Arts & Sciences

Biography

Kerri (Thomsen) Tom holds a PhD in English from the University of Massachusetts (1994). Her primary interest is the English Renaissance, and she has published articles on Shakespeare, Spenser, and Milton. More recently, she contributed a chapter to The Idea and Practice of a Christian University: A Lutheran Approach, entitled, “Mirror, Imagination, and Creation: A Lutheran Approach to Literature” (CPH, 2015).

Education

• Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, English literature, May 1994.
• M.A. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, English literature, February 1993.
• B.A. University of California, Santa Cruz, Honors in Literature / Creative Writing and College Honors, June 1986.

Courses Taught

• CENG 201: World Literature to the Renaissance
• ENG 341: American Literature I
• ENG 361: English Literature I
• ENG 391: Children’s Literature
• ENG 451: Senior Seminar in English
• ENG 461: Major English Writers
• ENG 466: Shakespeare
• WRT 333: Topics in Literature and Writing

Professor of Communication Studies
Vice President of International Relations

Biography

Cheryl Williams, Ph.D., is a senior diversity and inclusion specialist grounded in solid organizational development and has served extensively as a global human resources professional and senior consultant. She has consistently demonstrated successful hands-on management experience with both domestic and international employee groups. Cheryl spent over thirty years in corporate leadership roles primarily in technology and entertainment industries. Here, she oversaw talent management, talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, and employee relations, to name a few of her duties and responsibilities. Cheryl has lived or worked in over fifty countries spreading Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and North America. Cheryl serves as a Vice President for International Relations and is a full Professor at Concordia University – Irvine, California where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. Cheryl holds a PhD in intercultural/international communications from the Florida State University.

Education

• Ph.D., Speech (Intercultural) Communication, Florida State University (Tallahassee, Florida), 1993-1997
• MS, Speech Communication, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana), 1976-1978
• BA, Speech and Drama (Teaching), Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana), 1971-1975

Employment

• Vice President – Dean, International and Cultural Relations, Professor - Communication, Business, Concordia University – Irvine, California, 2000-Present
  Teach undergraduate and graduate courses with a dual appointment in the Department of Communication and School of Business. Direct graduate thesis programs and undergraduate projects as assigned. Additional responsibilities are to foster and realize a more interethnic, intercultural, international and diverse curriculum, faculty, student body and campus by working directly with the President and the other senior university officials.
• President, Communications Works! – Costa Mesa, California, 1997-Present
  Organizational development and communications skills training consultancy. Capabilities include: Training needs assessment, curriculum / instructional design, development of training materials (participant workbook, instructor manual and job aids), delivery of ‘adult-learning’ programs, and evaluation of training programs for domestic and international audiences. Subject Matter Expertise includes: Global Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources, and Leadership Communication. Practicing corporate anthropologist.
• Director, Global Employee Development, News Corporation, Beverly Hills, California, 1997 – 2000
  Analyzed training needs to develop new training programs or modified existing programs. Conducted ongoing leadership, management, and employee skills training for the professional and personal development needs for employees on a global basis. Designed and developed over 100 programs. Conferred with management and conducted surveys and/or focus groups where needed to identify training needs based on projected production processes, changes, and other factors. Worked across 30+ divisions in Europe, Asia, and North America.
• Adjunct Faculty, California State University -- Fullerton, 1997- 2002
  Dual department appointments have included: School of Communication and School of Business. Courses included: Business Writing, Advanced Business Writing, Communication in Business and Industry, Training and Development and Introduction to Human Communication.
• Vice President, Internal Communications and Training, Fleishman Hillard, Inc. -- St. Louis, MO., 1995-1997
  Developed internal communications and corporate training capability. Responsible for worldwide introduction and delivery of strategic internal communications programs. Designed and developed over 30 comprehensive “global” training programs. Delivered over 200 sessions, worldwide.
• Training Consultant (Part-time), Florida Commission on Human Relations, 1992-1995
  Designed, developed and delivered in-house training programs in the area of Total Quality Management, Cross-Cultural Communications, and Leadership Development.
• Full-time Doctoral Student, Florida State University, 1993-1997
  Lived in the Amazon rainforest (with 4 of the 6 African/Maroon Tribes) in Suriname, South America 1994 -1995
• Director, Personnel and Community Relations, (Director, Affirmative Action and Community Relations) Fox Inc. (parent company to Twentieth Century Fox Film, Fox Broadcasting Company, Twentieth Television, Fox Television Stations, Inc.), 1987-1992**
• State Farm Insurance Companies, Hewlett Packard, First Interstate Bank, and KCBS-TV, 1978-1987**
  **Worked in progressive human resource management, employee training and organizational development positions.

Research

Global Diversity and Inclusion

Honors/Awards (Selected)

• National MBA Magazine, selected and was profiled for global work (2007)
• Trumpet Magazine, selected as “Phenomenal Woman” (2006)
• NDS – CEO Award (2006)
• Purdue University – Old Master (2000)
• Recipient of McKnight Doctoral Fellowship (1993-1997)
• Ebony Magazine, selected “Top Ten Most Promising Corporate Executives” (1991)

International Experience

Countries and cities visited, worked, and/or lived in include:

• Europe: France, Italy, Ireland, Brussels, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Hungary, Spain, Denmark
• Asia: China: Hong Kong, Beijing, India: Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi
• Middle East: Israel: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv
• Africa: Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia
• South (Central) America: Suriname, French Guyana, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Brazil
• Caribbean: Barbados, Grenada, Bahamas, Curacao, St. Kitts, Cayman Islands
• North America: USA (extensive), Puerto Rico, Canada (Vancouver, Toronto, London, Montreal, Quebec)

Additional Professional Experience

• 2015 – May. “Accelerating Inclusion: Global Approaches to Creating an Inclusive Workplace.” Selected to present at the annual Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD) global conference. Held Orlando, Florida. (www.atd.org)
• 2011 – Present - Founding Partner, ForAfrica®, a non-profit organization created to design, develop and deliver leadership training for the rural youth of Africa.(www.forafrica.us)

Publications

• Saunders - Williams, Cheryl E. (2013). Update-Protocol for visiting the Bushnegro of Suriname, South America. Paramaribo, Suriname: VACO Press / Surinam Airlines. (Currently being updated, new release date 2016)
• Williams, C., Alston, H., Durand, F., Barrett, D. (2012) Include Who? A No Holds Barred Discussion Across Industries and Cultures. Paper accepted and to be presented at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference, July 2012. Location: Toulouse, France.
• Williams, Cheryl E. , (2012) Project Management Across Cultures. For NDS – A Cisco Company. For internal use only.
• Williams, Cheryl E. (2011). Unlocking the Engagement Secret for Today’s Millennials aka Gen Y: An Anthropologist Speaks Up. Paper accepted and presented at the American Anthropological Association, 110th Annual Meeting, November 2011. Location: Montreal, Canada
• Williams, Cheryl E. (2010). “The Corporate Anthropologist: At Work in a Hollywood Entertainment Studio. Paper accepted and presented at the American Anthropological Association, 109th Annual Meeting, November 2010. Location: New Orleans, LA.
• Williams, Cheryl E. (2009) Managing Across Cultures at NDS: A Workshop on Cross Cultural Competence for Managers and Team Leads. (Pilot Course: July 6-9, 2009 Location: Paris, France.) Unpublished.
• Williams, Cheryl E. (2009) Giving and Receiving Feedback Across Cultures. (A training course for employees at NDS – Worldwide). (Pilot Course: July 6-9, 2009 Location: Paris, France.) Unpublished.
• Williams, Cheryl E. (2008) “How a global entertainment media company trains their employees for working across cultures” Paper Accepted at SIETAR Global Conference in Granada, Spain, October, 2008.
• Williams, Cheryl E. (2006). “Trust and Communication in Global Teams” Presented at the International Communication Association and American Communication Association – Joint Conference – 2006 Congress of the Americas, in Lima, Peru, August 2006.
• Saunders - Williams, Cheryl E. (2005). Update-Protocol for visiting the Bushnegro of Suriname, South America. Paramaribo, Suriname: VACO Press / Surinam Airlines.
• Williams, Cheryl E. (2004). Principles of Tribal Leadership: Lessons from Suriname’s Maroon Communities. World Communication Association-Annual Conference Proceeding.
• Williams, Cheryl E. (2004). Implementing an Intensive Cross Cultural Program into a Global Corporation. Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER).
• Saunders - Williams, Cheryl E. (1997). A cross-cultural participant-observer description of intra-cultural communication behaviors: The greetings and partings of the Saramakan Bushnegroes. Dissertation: Florida State University.
• Saunders - Williams, Cheryl E. (1995). Protocol for visiting the Bushnegro of Suriname, South America. Paramaribo, Suriname: VACO Press.

Academic Courses (Developed/Taught)

• COM 280: Theories of Human Communication
• COM 324: Intercultural Communication
• COM 344: Theory and Practice of Interviewing
• COM 451: Organizational Communication
• COM 485: Communication Criticism
• BUS 201: Introduction to Management, Marketing, and Information Technology
• BUS 224: Business Writing and Presentations
• MGT 321: Principles of Management
• MGT 327: Organizational Behavior
• MGT 351: Diversity in Organizations
• MGT 424: Human Resource Management
• MBA 603: Management
• MBA 642: Leadership Communication

Business (Non-Academic) Professional Experience / Corporate Trainer

• Communication Essentials for Supervisors
• Developing Others
• Guest Relations for Game Day Staff (Sports Entertainment)
• Cultural Diversity Training (Managers / Employees) Domestic
• Ethics in the Workplace
• Train-the-Trainer Workshop (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
• Business Writing and Presentations
• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (Certified / Licensed)
• Leading the World Through People
• Working with US Americans
• Presenting Across Cultures
• Global Diversity Workshops (International)
• Global Leadership Development – A Training Program for Middle Managers and Senior Executives
• Collaboration Through Facilitation Across Cultures
• Accelerating Inclusion (for global deliveries)
• Accelerating Inclusion (Train the Trainer)
• Leadership Development and Gender Sensibilities
• Master Certified by Training Management Corporation for “Cultural Orientations” programs.
• Certified Intercultural Development Inventory Administrator – By Dr. Mitchell Hammer
• Certified – True Colors© Trainer

Newspaper Advisor
Adjunct Professor of Communication Studies

Previous Experience

• Project Director, Marketing & Special Events - The Orange County Register
• Project Manager, iPad Team - The Orange County Register
• Senior Promotions Producer - KTTV FOX 11 and MY13, Los Angeles
• Marketing Producer, KTTV FOX 11 and Fox Sports Net West, Los Angeles

Degrees

• MBA (Marketing) - California State University, Fullerton
• BFA (Film/Television and Marketing) - New York University

Research Interests

Channels and patterns through which people consume news in a "platform agnostic" environment

Classes Taught at Concordia

• COM 222: Journalism
• Newspaper 1,3,5 & 2,4,6

Extracurricular Activities

Professor Wong loves going out on the occasional assignment with our student journalists. "Great things are happening at Concordia and we have the privilege of capturing them in our student newspaper, The Concordia Courier," she states.