Celebrating Melissa Rector: October 2024 Employee of the Month 

Dedication, efficiency, and a passion for service—Melissa Rector, Senior Administrative Assistant for Student Involvement & Engagement, embodies them all. Managing a fast-paced department, handling budget responsibilities, and streamlining operations, she plays a crucial role in her team’s success. But beyond her skills, her kindness and professionalism make a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.  […]

Let’s stay together: Healthy communication in couples

Tricia BurkeProfessor, Department of Communication Studies Dear Valentines, Swipe down to learn more about healthy romantic relationships.     I am a communication professor, so it should come as no surprise that my primary piece of advice is to practice healthy communication in your romantic relationships. Think about it this way: we all perform – or […]

a split frame with a plate or burgers on one side, and a plate of vegetables on the other

Dichotomous Thinking & Food

Welcome to the New Year! This time prompts many to reflect on how to live a healthier life and feel their very best. One challenge we may face as we approach making behavior changes is known as dichotomous thinking, which is to see things as bad or good, with no gray area, middle road, or […]

a woman in a meditative position behind her computer

Practicing Mindfulness

It can sometimes feel like you’re on autopilot at work. Many people may find themselves caught up with daily tasks, rushed with their meals, and only taking time for brief conversations in passing. Sometimes we forget to slow down and appreciate the moment. Practicing mindfulness in your work, communication, and eating habits is important to […]

red and blue wooden figures on either side of a bridge labeled (communication skills"

Time to Talk: Having Challenging Conversations

Tricia Burke, Ph.D.Professor | Assistant ChairDept. of Communication Studies  When I sat down to write this article, I searched Google Scholar for “difficult conversations.” The first page of results was mostly comprised of articles about delivering difficult medical news to patients. There are certainly times when we might be apprehensive about delivering medical news to […]

Get to Know Rick Meyers | August 2024 Employee of the Month

We are proud to recognize Rick Myers, Senior Information Security Analyst in the Information Security Office, as the August 2024 Employee of the Month. Rick serves as the team lead for the Security Operations team, overseeing essential security functions that safeguard the university’s infrastructure. From managing firewalls and VPNs to conducting penetration tests and vulnerability […]