Communication Studies Faculty & Staff

Jason Anderson teaches a variety of communication studies courses including communication ...

Jason Anderson teaches a variety of communication studies courses including communication theory, research methods, political communication, and rhetoric; however, his primary areas of expertise are the theory and practice of persuasion, as well as health communication. Jason was a double major in Journalism and Communication and Theatre as an undergraduate at Augustana College in Sioux Falls SD. He then received his master's degree in speech communication from Illinois State University. Jason completed his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received a PhD in Communication Science. Jason's dissertation, An Exploration into the Role of Commitment in Persuasion, examines how psychological, social, behavioral, and habituated forces shape how persuasive appeals are processed by audience members. Upon graduation, Jason worked as a visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin--Madison. In 2005, Jason joined the faculty at MSUM and he and his family have lived in Moorhead ever since. In his spare time, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, watching the Vikings, and promoting autism awareness.

Rebecca Gardner earned her PhD from the University of North Dakota. She teaches rhetoric a...

Rebecca Gardner earned her PhD from the University of North Dakota. She teaches rhetoric and other Communication courses. Her areas of interest include rhetoric of popular culture, American Indians' rhetorical sovereignty, and rhetorics of resistance. She is especially interested in how people use symbols to create, maintain, challenge, deny and share power with other people. Current research interests include the “Fargo Project,” in which diverse community groups collaboratively designed a public recreation area.

Dr. Theresa Hest is a full professor in the School of Communication and Journalism. She te...

Dr. Theresa Hest is a full professor in the School of Communication and Journalism. She teaches classes in Group/Team Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Leadership, Public Speaking, Intro to Communication Studies, First Year Experience, Family Communication, and Teaching Methods. She received her Ph.D. from North Dakota State University in 2003 in Communication Studies. Her primary area of research is Interpersonal Communication. She has published articles on the use of deception in relationships, the role of storytelling in relationship maintenance, rural myth and narrative, health communication, and coaching forensics. Theresa has presented numerous papers at professional conferences and received top paper and top panel awards. She has also received the Outstanding Scholar Award from the North Dakota Speech and Theatre Association, the Service to Students Award from MSUM, and a Family Communication textbook that she contributed a chapter to received the top book award from the National Communication Association.

Merrie Sue Holtan teaches communication studies courses in interviewing, composition, inte...

Merrie Sue Holtan teaches communication studies courses in interviewing, composition, intercultural communication, journalism, sports communication, event planning, media writing, public speaking, public relations and business and professional communication. She has an undergraduate commnication degree from the University of Minnesota, a masters in communication from NDSU and an MFA in Creative writing from MSUM. She is the author of three books, including "Power and Stride, The Nancy Burggraf Story," which she also produced as a documentary. Also a contract writer with more than 400 published articles, Merrie Sue has won state and national writing awards. She has written several community and non profit grants totaling nearly one million dollars and has also trained five national champion baton twirlers.

Anthony Ocaña (Ph.D., North Dakota State University, 2008) is an associate professor of Co...

Anthony Ocaña (Ph.D., North Dakota State University, 2008) is an associate professor of Communication Studies specializing in organizational and crisis communication, business and professional communication, and intercultural communication. In addition to teaching a variety of the communication studies courses, he advises students in the KMSC Dragon Radio activity. Anthony enjoys helping students achieve their highest academic potential, and takes great pride in having students present their original research at campus and regional conferences.