Tara Thornton is an Instructor of Applied Communication Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She earned her M.A. in Corporate Communication and a B.S. in Communication and Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Thornton serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Applied Communication Studies Department.  She is also a faculty advisor for an honorary society on campus, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, with chapters across the United States. Thornton teaches a variety of courses such as Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, Public Speaking, Small Group Communication, Interviewing, Listening, and Training and Development. She develops online sections of courses to enhance the department’s programs and has even worked with the Nursing Department teaching a course to facilitate the RN to BS transition. She has published academic book reviews and has presented papers and workshops at conferences for the National Communication Association and Central States Communication Association. Tara also presents organizational communication workshops for SIUE student organizations, on campus.  Outside academia, Thornton serves as an Office Administrator for a local corporation, managing Human Resources and marketing initiatives, as well as staying involved with her community and fundraising events. On a personal note, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Tara and her husband are empty nesters. When she isn’t teaching, she is likely traveling!  She enjoys taking trips with their Golden Retrievers to visit their daughters in Texas and Kentucky.  Tara enjoys learning new things, seeing new sights, and sampling local cuisine.  Her family has explored several islands in Greece, went zip-lining through the rainforests of Costa Rica, enjoyed a wine tour through Italy, and explored famous art and historical buildings in France.