The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging

Autumn P. Edwards (PhD, Ohio University) is an associate professor in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Her scholarly interests include interpersonal communication, communication and technology, and communication theory. Her research focuses on the influence of individuals' personally held theories of communication on aspects of community life, relational health, and personal well-being. Recent published work appears in journals such as the Journal of Family Communication, Communication Studies, Health Communication, Communication Research Reports, Communication Education, and The Journal of Computer Mediated Communication and in several edited books. She is the recipient of an Outstanding Teaching Award and the Kim Giffin Research Award from the University of Kansas and was designated a Claude Kantner Research Fellow at Ohio University. Chad Edwards (PhD, University of Kansas) is an associate professor of communication in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Previously, he was a Hartel Fellow at Marietta College. Chad's research interests include communication in the teacher-student relationship, human-robot interaction, and transformative communication practices. Recent publications include articles in Communication Education, Communication Research Reports, Basic Communication Course Annual, Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, and other communication and education studies journals. He serves on numerous editorial boards including that of Communication Education. He has held offices at both national and regional communication conferences and is currently the first vice president of the Central States Communication Association. In 2009, Chad received the Distinguished Teaching Award from Western Michigan University (the highest teaching award given by WMU). He also has been awarded teaching awards from the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, the University of Kansas, and Texas Tech University. Additionally, Chad has received several top paper awards for his research. Shawn T. Wahl (PhD, University of Nebraska, Lincoln) is a professor of communication and head of the Department of Communication in the School of Communication Studies at Missouri State University (MSU). Prior to MSU, he served as head of the Department of Communication, Mass Media, & Theatre at Angelo State University and as the director of graduate studies at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. He is coauthor of The Nonverbal Self: Communication for a Lifetime, Business and Professional Communication: KEYS for Workplace Excellence, and Persuasion in Your Life and has published articles in Communication Education, Communication Research Reports, Communication Teacher, Journal of Family Communication, and Basic Communication Course Annual. Shawn served as editor of the Texas Speech Communication Journal and is an active member of the National Communication Association, the Central States Communication Association, and the Texas Speech Communication Association. In addition, Shawn has worked across the nation as a corporate trainer, communication consultant, and leadership coach in a variety of industries. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys spending time with his family and two Chinese pugs (Mia and Jake). Scott A. Myers (PhD, Kent State University) is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University (WVU). He teaches courses in instructional communication, small group communication, and interpersonal communication. His research interests center primarily on the student-instructor relationship in the college classroom and the adult sibling relationship, with his research appearing in outlets such as Communication Education, Journal of Family Communication, Communication Research Reports, and Communication Quarterly, among others. At WVU, he was recognized by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences as a Woodburn Professor (2005-2007) and as an Outstanding Teacher in 2010. He is a former editor of Communication Teacher, a former executive director of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA), and a past president of CSCA.