On Facebook, I said my research journey started with my dissertation advisor, Dr. Kathleen Whitson, but I neglected to mention Dr. Daniel Chen, who tried to impart the importance of strong research questions in one of our doctoral research courses. So, there's two people acknowledged. Only 28 co-authors left to thank!
Then there are all of the journal editors and their anonymous team of reviewers, from the ones that have rejected my work, but made it better with reviews -- and the ones who have suggested needed improvements and worked through multiple revisions.
My research agenda started with a focus on experiential learning in student-run communication organizations and returns there every so often. Adding to that is social media research and most recently listening in social media. Collaborations led me to new efforts like case studies in ethics, mentoring projects, and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) papers and presentations.
I am grateful for these opportunities because they have informed my teaching. In grad school, you hear about how research is part of the professor's job because it informs your teaching and expands the body of literature. Every project has added something to what I bring to the classroom.
So, thank you, Academy, for this honor. Oh, and I forgot the most important: thank you to my family who puts up with writing frenzies stealing me away from time to time.
