Vita

Education

2012 University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN

Ph. D. Candidate in Communication Studies
Emphasis: Computer Mediated Communication
Chair: Michelle Violanti
Committee: Michael Kotowski, Virginia Kupritz, Jennifer Morrow

1998 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL

Masters of Arts in Communication
 Emphasis: Business and Interpersonal Communication

1997 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL

Bachelors of Arts in Communication
Emphasis: Business and Interpersonal Communication

1995 Rock Valley Community College Rockford, IL

Associates of Arts in Computer Science

Professional Memberships

  • Tennessee Communication Association
  • American Association of University Professors
  • Southern States Communication Association
  • International Communication Association
  • National Communication Association

Manuscripts in Progress

Christen, S. & Kelly, S. (2011). Using Big Bang to create a big impact in communication courses.

Christen, S., Fall, L., & Kelly, S. (2011) “How military and civilian students conceptualize social presence: Exploring the emotional needs of student in the online classroom”

Manuscripts Under Review

Kelly, S., Fall, L., & Christen, S. (2010). Revisiting the impact of instructional immediacy: A differentiation between military and civilians.

Fall, L., Kelly, S., & Christen, S. (2011) Investigating computer-mediated instructional immediacy and student motivation: An important aspect of strategic communication in public relations online education.

Conference Presentations

Christen, S., Fall, L., & Kelly, S. (2011) “How military and civilian students conceptualize social presence: Exploring student needs in the online classroom” (Under Review)

Christen, S. (2011). Self disclosure: The key to social presence. PRSA Educator’s Academy.

Kelly, S., Fall, L., & Christen, S. (2011) “Searching for a cyber sex effect: An investigation of computer mediated instructional immediacy and student motivation” International Communication Association

Christen, S. (2011) “Using facebook to inspire student discussion” Southern States Communication Association.

Christen, S. (2010) “Immediacy in communication” English Studies Symposium

Kelly, S., & Christen, S. (2009) “An investigation of computer mediated out-of-class communication through an instructional tool” Tennessee Communication Association

Rieger, J., Christen, S., & Colon-Aquirre, M. (2009) “What’s in an update: A textual analysis of facebook status updates” Tennessee Communication Association

Neal, L., & Christen, S. (2007) “The transition to and advantages of iLearn” Technology Day.

Christen, S. (2006) “Grading with a tablet” Technology Day.

Christen, S. (2006) "Incorporating technology into communication courses" Tennessee Board of Regents Distance Education Conference.

Christen, S. (2005) “Advantages of using WebCT in a communication course” Tennessee Communication Association Conference.

Teaching Experience

Courses Taught:

  • Introduction to Speech Communication
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Business and Professional Communication
  • Computer Mediated Communication
  • Advanced Public Speaking
  • Fundamentals of Communication
  • Introduction to Communication Practices in Organizations
  • Organizational Communication
  • First Year Connections

Institutions of Employment:

Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN (2004 – Present)
Instructor of Communication

Roane State Community College Harriman, TN (1998 – 2004)
Adjunct Instructor of Communication

Nashville State Community College Cookeville, TN (2001 – 2004)
Adjunct Instructor of Communication

Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TN (2003 – 2003)
Adjunct Instructor of Communication

Knoxville College Knoxville, TN (2003 – 2003)
Adjunct Instructor of Communication

Service:

  • Committees
  • Computers and Classroom Technology Committee (2005–Present)
  • Communications BS Curriculum Committee (2005–Present)
  • Programming/Outreach Committee (2005–Present)
  • Faculty advisor for Sigma Chi Fraternity (2008–Present)
  • Instructional Media Specialist Search Committee (2008)
  • Hiring Committee for Communication Instructor Position (2010 – 2011)

Competitions

  • Judge for Cookeville High School Speech Tournament. (2006 – 2009)
  • Judge for Boys’ State Speech Competition (2006 – 2008)
  • Organizer & Masters of Ceremony for the Kash Speech Competition (2007 – 2009)
  • Judge for Network of International Business Schools – International
  • Case Study Competition (2009)

Webmaster

  • English and Communications (2007–Present)
  • Communication (2008–Present)
  • Symposium of English Studies (2008–Present)
  • Under the Sun (2008–Present)

Awards

  • TBR Distance Education Committee’s Innovation Award (2006)

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