Author Biography

Autumn P. Edwards (PhD, Ohio University) is an associate professor in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Her scholarly interests include interpersonal communication, communication and technology, and communication theory. Her research focuses on the influence of individuals' personally held theories of communication on aspects of community life, relational health, and personal well-being. Recent published work appears in journals such as the Journal of Family Communication, Communication Studies, Health Communication, Communication Research Reports, Communication Education, and The Journal of Computer Mediated Communication and in several edited books. She is the recipient of an Outstanding Teaching Award and the Kim Giffin Research Award from the University of Kansas and was designated a Claude Kantner Research Fellow at Ohio University. Chad Edwards (PhD, University of Kansas) is an associate professor of communication in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Previously, he was a Hartel Fellow at Marietta College. Chad's research interests include communication in the teacher-student relationship, human-robot interaction, and transformative communication practices. Recent publications include articles in Communication Education, Communication Research Reports, Basic Communication Course Annual, Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, and other communication and education studies journals. He serves on numerous editorial boards including that of Communication Education. He has held offices at both national and regional communication conferences and is currently the first vice president of the Central States Communication Association. In 2009, Chad received the Distinguished Teaching Award from Western Michigan University (the highest teaching award given by WMU). He also has been awarded teaching awards from the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, the University of Kansas, and Texas Tech University. Additionally, Chad has received several top paper awards for his research. Dr. Shawn Wahl is the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters (COAL) and Professor of Communication at Missouri State University (MSU). He served as the Interim Dean of COAL from 2017 to 2019 and as the Department Head of Communication at MSU from 2012 to 2017. Prior to MSU, he served as the Department Head of Communication, Mass Media, & Theatre at Angelo State University and as the director of graduate studies at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. Shawn was the 2016 President of the Central States Communication Association. He has authored numerous books including Public Speaking: Essentials for Excellence, Nonverbal Communication for a Lifetime, The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging, Business and Professional Communication: KEYS for Workplace Excellence, Persuasion in Your Life, Intercultural Communication In Your Life and Public Relations Principles: Strategies for Professional Success. Shawn has published articles in Communication Education, Communication Research Reports, Communication Studies, CommunicationTeacher, Journal of Family Communication, and the Basic Communication Course Annual. In addition, Shawn has worked across the globe as a corporate trainer, communication consultant, and leadership coach in a variety of industries. Scott A. Myers (PhD, Kent State University) is a professor and Peggy Rardin McConnell Chair in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University (WVU) where he teaches courses in instructional communication, organizational communication, and communication pedagogy. His research interests center primarily on the student-instructor relationship in the college classroom and the adult sibling relationship, with his research appearing in outlets such as Communication Education, Journal of Family Communication, Communication Research Reports, and Communication Quarterly, among others. At WVU, he was recognized by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences as a Woodburn Professor (2005-2007) and as an Outstanding Teacher in 2010. He is a former editor of Communication Teacher, a former executive director of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA), and a past president of CSCA.