Kristen LeBlanc Farris, M.A. University of Texas-Austin klfarris@utexas.edu EDUCATION M.A. B.A. University of Texas-Austin, Austin, Texas Fall 2013-Present Emphasis: Interpersonal and Health Communication, San Marcos, Texas May 2009 Major: Communication Studies Emphasis: Interpersonal Communication Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas December 2006 Major: Speech Communication UNIVERSITY APPOINTMENTS Summer 2010-Present Lecturer Interim Lecturer Interim Assistant Professor Social Sciences Department 2009-2010 Adjunct Instructor 2009-2010 Adjunct Instructor Social Sciences Department 2008-2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant
RESEARCH INTERESTS Interpersonal Communication Health Communication Negotiation of negative relational turning points Communication dilemmas surrounding health issues such as chronic and invisible illness and their impact on relationships SCHOLARSHIP PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES Farris, K. L., Houser, M. L., & Wotipka, C. D. (2013). Assessing the transition of student public speaking competence. Basic Communication Course Annual, 25, 161-206. LeBlanc, K., Vela, L., & Houser, M. L. (2011). Improving the basic communication course: Assessing the core components. Basic Communication Course Annual, 23, 61-92. MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW AND IN PROGRESS Farris, K. L., & Brown, L. R. (2013, November). A comparison of traditional and hybrid teaching: The effects on student learning and engagement. Paper accepted to the Roundtables for Research in Progress Panel at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Washington, D.C. Farris, K. L., & LeClair-Underberg, C. Giving voice to my experience: Characteristics and themes of helpful/hurtful messages of women after miscarriage. Farris, K. L., & Houser, M. L. (Under Review). Exploring a 360 approach to assessing instructor training programs. Basic Communication Course Annual. CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PANELS Farris, K. L., Houser, M. L., & Furler, L. (2012, November). Exploring a 360 approach to assessing instructor training programs. Paper accepted at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Orlando, FL. Farris, K. L. (2012, November). The conversion experience: From public speaking to a hybrid basic course. Presentation at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association. Orlando, FL. Farris, K. L., & Houser, M. L. (2012, April). Assessing the transition of student public speaking competence. Paper accepted at the annual meeting of the Eastern Communication Association, Cambridge, MA.
Farris, K. L. (2011, November). Giving a clarion voice to the knowledge and expertise of undergraduate teaching assistants. Presentation at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, New Orleans, LA. LeClair-Underberg, C., & Farris, K. L. (2011, October). Giving voice to my experience: Characteristics and themes of helpful/hurtful messages of women after miscarriage. Paper accepted at the annual meeting of the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender, Chicago, IL. Farris, K. L., & LeClair-Underberg (2011, April). The power of societal assumptions: Exploring online resources for victims of male sexual assault. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Communication Association, Arlington, VA. Farris, K. L. (2011, January). Assessing learning outcomes in the basic communication course. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Basic Course Director s Conference. Birmingham, AL. LeBlanc, K., & Vela, L. (2010, April). (Top Three Paper). Charting a course in instructional communication: A case study of assessment practices. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Communication Association, Baltimore, MD. LeBlanc, K. (2009, April). Myspace and interpersonal attraction. GIFTS, Eastern Communication Association Convention, Philadelphia, PA. SCHOLARLY AWARDS Top Three Paper Award (2010, April). Charting a course in instructional communication: A case study of assessment practices. Instructional Communication Division of the Eastern Communication Association, Baltimore, MD. Top Three Paper Award (2013, April). A comparison of traditional and hybrid teaching: The effects on student learning and engagement. Instructional Communication Division of the Eastern Communication Association, Pittsburg, PA. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND CREDENTIALS 2010-Present Assistant Basic Course Director 2009 Corporate Training and Development Certification 2008 Teaching and Learning Academy Certification
2007-2008 Graduate Advisor, Student Association of Campus Activities 2007 Substitute Teacher Nacogdoches Independent School District Nacogdoches High School TEACHING EXPERIENCE COMM 33318N: Communication Theory (undergraduate course, 1 section) Fall 2013 This course examines the assumptions embedded in and influencing current and past communication theories. How communication theory creates concepts of self and knowledge is discussed. Ethical dimensions of theory and method are considered and examination of the components of theories, their value and ways of classifying them. Emphasis is placed on being critical of the application and use of theory. Activities and assignments will stress the necessity for reading what others have to say on daily matters of communication, as well as assessing the quality of material available to the scholar. COMM 4315: Directed Research in Communication Studies (undergraduate course, 1 section) Summer 2013 Independent study emphasis was examining the impact of self-efficacy, perception of partner s communication competence, and context of interaction on communication apprehension and avoidant behavior. COMM 5315: Directed Research in Communication Studies (graduate course, 1 section) Summer 2012 Independent study emphasis was examining the differences in learning outcomes (cognitive, affective, and behavioral) along with differences in learning engagement of students in hybrid and face-to-face sections of the hybrid course COMM 3301: Communication Research Methods (upper level; 5 sections) -Present Examines the scientific approach to communication research with an emphasis in quantitative methods with an end goal of producing critical consumers of research COMM 2315: An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (core course; 14 sections) Fall 2009-Present Examines communication skills, principles, and theories which influence and enhance the relationships of family members, romantic partners, friendships, and colleagues
COMM 1310: Fundamentals of Human Communication (large lecture/online section; 15 sections) Fall 2009-Present Provides a basic foundation of communication principles and concepts in the interpersonal, small group, intercultural, and presentational speaking contexts MGT 3353: Business Communication (upper level; 2 sections) Provides verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skill sets to Business Administration majors SPCH 1311: Introduction to Speech Communication (9 sections) Fall 2009- Provides a basic foundation of communication principles and concepts SPCH 1315: Public Speaking (2 sections) Fall 2009- Provides a basic foundation of communication principles, theories, and skills in the presentational speaking context SPCH 1321: Business and Professional Communication (1 section) Provides a basic foundation of communication principles, theories, and skills in the organizational context CONTINUING EDUCATION Guidance for Online Learning Design (Fall 2012). Instructional Technologies Support at, San Marcos, TX. Online Course Management and Communication (January 2012). Instructional Technologies Support at, San Marcos, TX. Survival Skills for Online Teaching (August 2011). Instructional Technologies Support at Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX. SERVICE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY 2012-Present Communication Week Committee; Member 2010-Present Basic Course Curriculum Committee; Associate Basic Course Director 2010-Present Interpersonal Communication Curriculum Committee; Member 2010-Present Graduate Teaching Assistant Selection Committee; Member 2008 LBJ Student Center 10 th Anniversary Committee; Member 2008 Riverfest Committee; Advisor 2007-2008 Common Experience Committee; Member 2007 Homecoming Committee; Advisor
DEPARTMENT Interim Basic Course Director (Spring 2013). at Texas State University. DISCIPLINE Reviewer (2013), Communication Teacher. Conference Paper and Panel Reviewer (2013), Basic Course Division for the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Washington, D.C. Reviewer, Interpersonal Communication (Gamble & Gamble). Reviewer and Panel Chair, Teachers on Teaching panel for the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, New Orleans, LA. Conference Paper and Panel Reviewer (2011), Basic Course Division for the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, New Orleans, LA. INVITED PRESENTATIONS Houser, M. L., & Farris, K. L. (2013, January). Methods and techniques for effective classroom instruction. Presentation to graduate teaching assistants at The University of Texas-Austin. Austin, TX. Farris, K. L. (2012, August). Relational communication in the classroom. Presentation at the annual training of the adjunct and graduate instructors at the Teaching and Learning Academy though the Communication Studies Department at. San Marcos, TX. Houser, M. L., & Farris, K. L. (2012, July). Getting comfortable with effective public speaking. Presentation to faculty and staff at through the Office of Professional Development. San Marcos, TX. Farris, K. L. (2011, November). Importance of assertive communication. Presentation to members of the Non-traditional Student Organization. San Marcos, TX. LeBlanc, K. (2008). Instructional communication presentation: Interpersonal attraction and CMC. Presentation to Communication 1310 students. San Marcos, TX. SERVICE AWARDS AND HONORS Program of Excellence Award (2011, November), Basic Course Division of the National Communication Association. New Orleans, LA. Program of Distinction Award (2010, November), Basic Course Division of the National Communication Association. San Francisco, CA.