Alicia Alexander, Ph.D

		Department of Speech Communication Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL 62026-1772 (618) 650-3090 (Department Secretary)

 

Education   Scholarly Papers  Memberships Honors & Awards   Professional Experience   Research Areas  Public Service Teaching Assignments

EDUCATION 

 

Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, 2004 - Communication Studies
M.A. Southwest Missouri State University, 1999 - Communication
B.S. Southwest Missouri State University, 1997 - Public Relations

PROFESSIONAL  EXPERIENCE

2005-Present: Basic Course Director, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
2003-Present: Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University Edwarsdville
2001-2003:  Course Director, University of Texas at Austin
2000-2003:  Instructor, University of Texas at Austin
1999-2000:  Instructor, Southwest Missouri State University

 

RESEARCH AREAS 

     

My research examines communication in close relationship contexts. My interests focus primarily on interpersonal communication among family members and between romantic partners. I am particularly concerned with understanding how people overcome adversity in their relationships through talk and various forms of relationship repair. My research also focuses on the way people talk about and express their feelings in close relationships. By examining emotions in close relationships, I explore how communication affects, and is affected by emotions.

TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS 

• SPC 103: Interpersonal Communication Skills
• SPC 200: Advanced Public Speaking
• SPC 330: Theories of Communication
• SPC 464: Family Communication
• SPC 501: Communication Research Methods    

HONORS & AWARDS 

• Excellence in Teaching award from faculty of Department of Communication and Mass Media, Southwest Missouri State University, 1998-1999

 

SCHOLARLY PAPERS (1999-Present) 

 

• Alexander, A. (2005) “It's More Than I'm Sorry”: Strategies for Managing Guilt in Close Relationships.
  Paper presented at the National Communication Association Conference in Boston, MA.
  
• Vangelisti, A., Maguire, K., Alexander, A., & Clark G. (2005). Hurtful Family Environments: Links with Individual
  and Relationship Variables. Paper presented at the National Communication Association Conference in
  Boston, MA.
  
• Vangelisti, A., Young, S., Theune, K., & Alexander, A. (2005). Why does it hurt?: The
  perceived causes of hurt feelings. Communication Research, 32, 443-477.
  
• **Alexander, A. (2004). Relationship resources for coping in dating relationships: Satisfaction,
  closeness, and commitment. Paper presented at the National Communication Association
  Conference in Chicago, IL. ** Top Student Paper, Interpersonal Communication Division.
  
• Vangelisti, A. Maguire, K., Alexander, A., & Clark, G. (2004). Toward a message based theory of hurtful
  family environments. Paper presented at the National Communication Association
  Conference in Chicago, IL.
  
• **Alexander, A. (2004). Coping with unfulfilled standards in dating relationships: Drawing upon
  personal resources. Paper presented at the International Communication Association Conference
  in New Orleans, LA. **Top Paper and Top Student Paper, Interpersonal Communication Division.
  
• Vangelisti, A., & Alexander, A. (2001). Coping with disappointment in marriage: When partners' standards are unmet.In P. Noller & J.A., Feeney (Eds.), The Intricacies of Marital Interaction (pp. 201-227). New York: Cambridge University Press, 2001
  
• **Vangelisti, A., Young, S., Carpenter, K., & Alexander, A. (2002). Why does it hurt?: The perceived causes of hurt feelings. Paper presented at the National Communication Association Conference in New Orleans, LA.
  **Top Four Paper, Interpersonal Communication Division

• Alexander, A. (2002). Guilt in close relationships: The strategies partners use to manage guilt. Paper presented to the Interpersonal Communication Division at the National Communication Association Conference in New Orleans, LA.
  
• Vangelisti, A. L., Young, S. L., Carpenter-Theune, K. E., & Alexander, A. L. (2002). Why does it hurt?: The perceived causes of hurt feelings. Poster presented at the International Conference on Personal Relationships in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
  
• **Alexander, A. (2001). Coping with unfulfilled standards in romantic relationships. Paper presented at the National Communication Association Conference in Atlanta , GA.
  **Top Four Paper, Family Communication Division.
  
• Alexander, A. (2001).  Regulars at the Hole in the Wall: An ethnographic study of a self-defined family at a local bar. Paper presented to the Ethnography Division at the National Communication Association Conference in Atlanta , GA.
  
• Alexander, A. (2001). Newlyweds’ perceptions of their premarital instruction experience: A qualitative investigation. Poster presented at the International Conference on Personal Relationships in Prescott , AZ.
  
• Dyer, S., Morris, T., Richardson-Alexander, A., Nzwira, N., & Weatherwax, T. (2000). The role of sources in stories about corporations: A public relations experiment. Paper presented to the Public Relations Division at the International Communication Association Conference.
  
• Alexander, A. (1999). Newlyweds’ perceptions of premarital instruction. Paper presented at the Oklahoma Sooner Communication Conference in Norman , OK.

PUBLIC SERVICE 

• Professional Communication Workshop, Presented a lecture on networking and presentation skills for the national meeting of Kappa Phi Gamma, Asian American Sororities, at the University of Texas at Austin, Fall 2002.
  
• Presentation Seminar Leader, Facilitated two-day workshops on business and professional presentation skills to Austin Evening MBA candidates. Sponsored by the Red McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin , Fall 2001, 2002.
  
• Presentation Coach, Facilitated a one-week workshop on professional communication skills for the MBA Student Communications workshop. Sponsored by the Department of Finance in the Red McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin , Fall 2002.
  
• Team Leader, Presented leadership techniques to Texas scholarship students. Offered two-hour workshops on group and team leadership strategies. Facilitated two-day workshops on discovering individual strengths, leadership abilities, and managing effective communication. Sponsored by the Center for Ethical Leadership, University of Texas at Austin, Spring

 

Memberships 

 

• National Communication Association
  
• International Association for Relationship Research

 

 

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