Katherine Denker
Katherine Denker
Professor in Communication Studies

Phone:765-285-1883

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Room:LB 306

About Katherine Denker

Dr. Kathy Denker received her Ph.D. in Interpersonal Communication at the University of Missouri, after completing a M.A. focused on Instructional Communication at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She is a professor who also has the privilege of serving as the Director of Graduate Studies. Her research and teaching stem from the areas of interpersonal and instructional communication, with a focus around issues of power and identity. Her work as appeared in book chapters as well as Journal of Family Communication, Women & Language, and Computers in Human Behavior among others. Beyond serving the university, Dr. Denker is active in professional organizations and volunteers for community non-profits.

Education

Ph.D., University of Missouri
M.A., University of Nebraska-Omaha
B.S., University of Nebraska-Omaha

Research Interests

  • Critical Interpersonal Communication
  • Work-Life
  • Gender
  • Instructional Communication
  • Power

Teaching

COMM 210 Fundamentals of Public Communication
COMM 440 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 441 Contemporary Issues in Organizational Communication
COMM 605 Qualitative Research in Communication
COMM 635 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 655 Instructional Communication

Awards and Honors

  • 2023 Dean’s Faculty Award, Ball State University College of Communication, Information and Media
  • 2022 Outstanding Book Chapter Award, Ethnography Division, National Communication Association Conference, New Orleanes, LA
  • 2021 Faculty Research Award, Ball State University College of Communication, Information and Media
  • 2020 Access Award, Ball State University Office of Disability Services
  • 2019-2020 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Leadership Fellow
  • 2019 Outstanding Masters Mentor Award, Masters Education Division, National Communication Association
  • 2018 Outstanding Service Award, Central States Communication Association
  • 2017 Twenty Under 40- The Star Press/M Magazine- Muncie, IN
  • 2016 Accessible Teacher Award, Ball State University Office of Disability Services
  • 2014 Faculty Research Award, Ball State University College of Communication, Information and Media
  • 2013 Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender- Outstanding Feminist Teacher Mentor Award
  • 2013 Lawhead Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Core Curriculum, Ball State University

Service

  • First Vice-President, Central States Communication Association
  • Editorial Board Member- Communication Teacher, Journal of Communication Pedagogy, Women & Language, and Basic Communication Course Annual
  • Member, University Core Curriculum Committee

Selected Publications

  • Manning, J., Allen, J., & Denker, K. J. (2023). Family communication as…Metaphors for family communication. Wiley
  • Denker, K. J., Knight, K., Carroll, R. K.*, Bradley, K. R.*, Bonine, P. J.*, Lauck, S. M.*, Prytulski, H. S.*, & Storr, M. L. (2022). Assessing student mindset, interest, participation, and rapport in the post-pandemic public speaking classroom: Effects of modality change and communication growth mindset. Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 6, 178-194. http://doi.org/10.31446/JCP2022.1.14
  • Denker, K. J. (2021). Critical feminist theory: Giving voice and visablity to gendered expereinces. In D. O. Braithwaite, & P. Schrodt (Eds.), Engageing theories in interpersonal communication (3rd Ed., pp. 233-245). Routledge.
  • Manning, J., & Denker, K. J. (2021). Beyond the hammer: A critical turn for interpersonal and family communication studies. Review of Communication, 21(3), 177-186. https://doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2021.1969424
  • Denker, K. J., Rausch, K.*, & Williams, S.* (2020). Learning through the process: Failure, frustration and forward movement in autoethnography. In A. Herrmann, (Ed.), The Routledge International Handbook of Organizational Autoethnography (p. 353-365). Routledge.
  • Goode, J. R., Denker, K. J., Cortese, D., Carlson, L*., & Morris, K. (2020). Intrusive teaching: The strain of care labor, identity, and the emerging majority in higher education. Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 3, 49-64. http//doi.org/10.31446/JCP.2020.6
    *-Current or Former BSU Students