Laura R. Umphrey, Ph.D

365 Building #16, Tormey Avenue School of Communication — Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5619
Northern Arizona University — Phone: 928-523-0470 — E-Mail: Laura.Umphrey@nau.edu

Education

Ph.D. Communication. Minor: Public Health. University of Arizona. Tucson, AZ. (2001)

M.A. Speech Communication. University of Maine. (1994)

B.A. International Affairs (French). University of Maine (1992)

Employment

• Associate Professor of Communication, School of Communication, Northern Arizona University	Fall 2009 - present
• Assistant Professor of Communication, School of Communication, Northern Arizona University	2002 - 2009
• Assistant Professor of Health Communication, Department of Communication, University of Alaska, Fairbanks	2001 - 2002
• Graduate Intern, Campus Health Services, University of Arizona	August 1997 – May 1998
• Research Associate, Health Communication Research Office, Arizona Cancer Center	January 1999 – February 2000
• Research Associate, Behavioral Science Section of the Arizona Cancer Center	January 1007- August 1999

Refereed Journal Publications

Umphrey, L. & Cacciatore, J. (2011). Coping with the ultimate deprivation: Narrative themes in a parental bereavement support group. OMEGA: Journal of Death and Dying, 63(2), 141-160.

Applequist, K.L., Umphrey, L., Moan, E. & Raabe, B (2008). Using effective communication techniques when presenting initial information to families. Young Exceptional Children, 10, 19-32.

Umphrey, L. R., Wickersham, J. A., & Sherblom, J. C. (2008). Student perceptions of the instructor’s relational characteristics, the classroom experience and the interaction involvement in face-to-face versus video conference instruction. Communication Research Reports, 25(2), 102-114.

Umphrey, L.R. & Sherblom, J.C. (2007). The effects of relational commitment and threats to interpersonal goals on condom use for disease prevention among college students. Journal of American College Health, 56(1), 61-67.

Umphrey, L.R. (2004). Message defensiveness, efficacy and health-related behavioral intentions. Communication Research Reports, 21(4), 329-337.

Umphrey, L.R. (2003). The effects of message framing and message processing on testicular self-examination attitudes and perceived risk. Communication Research Reports, 20(2), 97-105.

Umphrey, L. R. & Sherblom, J. C. (2001). The role of relational interdependence, relationship thinking, and relational communication in three stages of romantic relationships. Communication Research Reports, 18(4), 324-333.

Book Chapters

Burgoon, H.M., Denning, V. P. & Roberts, L. R. (2002). Language expectancy theory. In J. Dillard & M. Pfau’s (Eds.) The Persuasion Handbook: Theory and Practice. Sherman Oaks, CA: Sage.

Roberts, L. & Burke, M. (1997). Retailing Trends and Career Opportunities in Arizona: Implications for Arizona Women. Arizona Town Hall Research Document.


Invited Presentations

Umphrey, L. R. (September, 2010). Coping with loss: Effective and ineffective communication. Keynote presentation at the MISS Foundation Conference in Phoenix, AZ.

Conference Presentations

Keesee, P.A., Umphrey, L. R, Sherblom, J.C. (April, 2010). The Influence of Attachment Style on the Communication of Dissatisfaction and Disengagement in Romantic Relationships. Paper presented at the Western Social Sciences Association in Reno, NV.

Keesee, P. & Umphrey, L. (2009). Attachment Style, Responses to Dissatisfaction, and Relationship Disengagement Strategies in Romantic Relationships. Paper presented at the Interpersonal Communication Division Western States Communication Association Convention in Mesa, Arizona.

Umphrey, L. R., Wickersham, J. A., & Sherblom, J. C. (February, 2006). Immediacy, Composure, Receptivity, Communication Quality, Communication Satisfaction, Involvement, and Connectedness/Mutuality in Face-to-Face and IITV Instruction. Paper submitted to the Western States Communication Association conference, Palm Springs, CA.

Umphrey, L. (February, 2004). The effects of relational commitment and threats to interpersonal goals on condom use for disease prevention among college students. Paper presented at the Health Communication Division of the Western Speech Communication Association Convention, Albuquerque, NM.

Umphrey, L. (November, 2002). The effects of message framing and message processing on cancer self-examination messages. Paper presented at the Health Communication Division of the National Communication Association Convention, New Orleans.

Umphrey, L. & Sherblom, C. (April, 2001). A cross-sectional examination of relational investments, relationship thinking, and relational communication: Characteristics of three developmental stages of romantic relationships. Top 3 Paper presented at the Eastern Communication Association conference, Portland, ME.

Roberts, L. & Nabi, R. (November, 2000). The effects of group membership, language intensity, and message relevance on message persuasiveness. Paper presented at the Social Cognition Division at the National Communication Association convention, Seattle, WA.

Ramirez, A. & Roberts, L. (November, 1999). Re-conceptualizing relational transgressions as relational messages: Predicting responses from changes in relational definitions. Paper presented at the Interpersonal Communication Division at the National Communication Association Convention, Chicago, IL.

Burgoon, M., Roberts, L., Siegel, J., Broneck, K., Alvaro, E., Grandpre, J., & Miller, C. (October, 1999). When gains go up in smoke: Explaining adolescents’ negative reactions to smoking prevention campaigns. Paper presented at the Society of Experimental and Social Psychology Convention, St. Louis, MO.

Roberts, L. (May, 1999). Interactivity: A key ingredient for successful relating in the classroom? Paper presented at the Instructional and Developmental Communication Division at the International Communication Association Convention, San Francisco, CA.

Voloudakis, M., Roberts, L. & Lee, H. (May, 1999). When the world never seems to be living up to your dreams: Predicting anti-tobacco activism in youth populations. Paper presented at the Health Communication Division at the International Communication Association Convention, San Francisco, CA.

Sherry, J., Roberts, L., Melcher, C & Siegel, J. T. (May, 1999). Information technology in elementary schools: The role of parents. Paper presented at the Instructional and Developmental Communication Division at the International Communication Association Convention, 
San Francisco, CA.

Roberts, L. & Dunbar, N. (November, 1998). Victim-Offender Mediation: Managing and Restoring Successful Community Relations. Paper presented at the Communication and Law Division at the National Communication Association, New York, NY.

Roberts, L. (February, 1998). Victim-Offender Mediation: Managing and Restoring Successful Community Relations. Paper presented at the Successful Relating Conference, Tucson, AZ.

Sherblom, J. C. & Roberts, L. (February, 1997). Semantic Network Analysis of Negotiated Conversation. Paper presented at the Western Speech Communication Association Convention, Monterrey, CA.

Roberts, L. (April, 1995). Characteristics of Loneliness: A Multi-Dimensional Scaling and Cluster Analysis of some Causes, Feelings, Wishes, and Behaviors. Top competitive paper award given by the Interpersonal Group, Eastern Communication Association Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

NAU Grant Experience

E-Learning Faculty Fellowship Program
; Co-PIs: Susana Mills and Laura Umphrey; Pedagogies and Practices. 
(Summer 2006, Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Summer 2007, Fall 2007, Spring, 2008, Summer 2008) $50,000.00 (Funded)

E-Learning Faculty Fellowship Program; Center for Research, Assessment, and Development of Learning in Electronic Environments; CRADLEE. E-Learning Faculty Fellowship Program (Principal Investigator) (Summer 2004, Fall 2004, Spring 2005, Summer 2005). ½ time Funding $20,000 to the COM department, 10% salary in summer (Funded)

Exemplary Assessment Practices: E-Learning Grants, Office of Academic Assessment. E-Learning Exemplary Assessment Practices for SC315 Business and Professional Speaking Web/IITV and Face-to-Face Instruction (2003-2004) (Principal Investigator) $4,712.00 (Funded)

Chronological Teaching Experience

• Communication Theory, COM600; Health Communication, SC475/575; Basic Communication Theory, COM200, Quantitative Research Methods, SC599; Persuasion, SC361; Communicating in Instructional Environments, SC314; Business and Professional Speaking, SC315	2009-2010
• Communication Theory, COM600; Persuasion, SC361; Communicating in Instructional Environments, SC314; Basic Communication Theory, COM200; Health Communication, SC475; Methods of Interviewing, SC312	2008-2009
• Persuasion, SC361; Communicating in Instructional Environments, SC314; Health Communication, SC475; Business and Professional Speaking, SC315; Methods of Interviewing, SC312	2007-2008
• Communication Theory, COM600; Communicating in Instructional Environments, SC314; Health Communication, SC475/575; Business and Professional Speaking, SC315	2006-2007
• Communication Theory, COM600; Communicating in Instructional Environments, SC314; Research Methods, COM305; Business and Professional Speaking, SC315; Methods of Interviewing, SC312	2005-2006
• Communicating in Instructional Environments, SC314; Health Communication, SC475/575; Business and Professional Speaking, SC315	2004-2005
• Basic Communication Theory, COM200; COM305 Research Methods; Communicating in Instructional Environments, SC314; Methods of Interviewing, SC312; Business and Professional Speaking, SC315; Public Speaking, SC111	2003-2004
• Persuasion, SC361; Business and Professional Speaking, SC315 (IITV); Basic Communication Theory, COM200; Public Speaking, SC111; Methods of Interviewing, SC312	2002-2003
• Health Communication, Quantitative Research Methods, Persuasion	2001-2002
• Public Speaking, Small Group Communication, Health Communication, Field Research Methods, Theories of Small Group Communication, Organizational Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Rhetorical Theory	Graduate school teaching at the University of Maine and University of Arizona 1992-2001

Work with Ph.D. and Master’s Students – general topics

• Risha Sharma (Projects chair).Health communication	Anticipated Fall 2010
• Lisa Preston (Projects chair). Health communication	Anticipated Fall 2010
• Susan Bolt (Thesis chair). Emotional intelligence	Anticipated Fall 2010
• Tamara Kieren (Projects chair) Online social networking sites	Spring 2010
• Brian Wagner (Projects chair). Deception in law enforcement	Spring 2010
• Jenny Scott (Projects committee member). Motherhood & TV	Spring 2010
• Amanda Szot (Projects chair). Persuasion in advertising.	Fall 2009
• Charlie Hicks (Projects committee member). The “It” Factor	Fall 2009
• Emilly Borthwick (Thesis committee member). Service learning.	Fall 2009
• Riva Starks (Thesis committee member). Intercultural conflict	Summer 2009
• Gina Iberri-Shea (Dissertation committee member). Public speaking	Spring 2009
• Audrey Alice (Thesis committee member). Direct-to-consumer ad	Spring 2009
• Philip Scharf (Projects chair). Facebook	Spring 2009
• Pam Hanna (Projects committee member). Civic engagement	Spring 2009
• Rachel (Landau) Ortel (Projects committee member). Clinton Army	Spring 2009
• Roy Anthony Ramos (Thesis committee member). Intrapersonal	Spring 2008
• Patricia Keesee (Thesis chair). Attachment styles & Termination	Spring 2007

Professional Development (Participant)

• Training E-learning; Elluminate & Cantasia	November 2009
• MISS Foundation Facilitator Training Worksho	September 4, 2010
• Mediator, Tucson Court System (Victim-Offender, 40 Hour Basic)	1995-2000

Current Affiliations/Memberships

• National Communication Association

2002 – present

Service to the University/Profession by Year

• Speech Communication Coordinator*, Faculty Status Committee, Graduate Committee, BIS/BAS Council Member, COM Assessment Coordinator	2009-2010
• Speech Communication Coordinator, Graduate Committee, COM Assessment Coordinator, COM Curriculum Committee, Search Chair for DL and Communication Studies positions, Editorial Review Board for Communication Research Reports, Social Science Journal, Management Communication Quarterly and a textbook review for Cengage.	2008-2009
• Speech Communication Coordinator, Graduate Committee	2007-2008
• Speech Communication Coordinator, Graduate Committee member, Reviewer for Media Psychology; NAU Assessment Fair presenter; Reviewer Bedford/St. Martin book; Reviewer for McGraw-Hill book	2006-2007
• Faculty Search Committee, co-chair; E-learning Summer Institute presenter;	2005-2006
• Editorial Board member, Communication Research Reports; E-learning institute presenter; Book Reviewer for Sage Publications	2004-2005
• Faculty Senate Representative; Co-chair Faculty Search Committee; Editorial Board member, Communication Research Reports	2003-2004
• IRB Review Board Member (University of Alaska, Fairbanks)	2001-2002

* SC Coordinator activities include coordinate SC faculty meetings, represent SC on the FAC or Academic Affairs committee, scheduling, coordinate with SC111 and SC315, interface with statewide, respond to queries about the SC program, complete annual assessment plan, coordinate scholarship decisions, coordinate new part-time hires in SC, and represent NAU on the Arizona Speech Communication Articulation Task Force.