Asbury Communication Professor Presents at CCCU Conference
March 27, 2024
In March, Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Kim Okesson presented a workshop at the Advancing Women in Leadership Conference with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) hosted at Taylor University. Okesson’s topic included: “Women, Leadership, and Communication: Strategies for Creating Mutual Understanding.”
“In this workshop, I tackled some general skills that all leaders need to be successful, addressed some of the specific communication challenges women face, and provided practical solutions for attendees to implement back on their campuses,” Okesson said. “Communication skill is vital for success in leadership, and the good news is that it can be learned!”
The Advancing Women in Leadership Conference began in March 2016 following dialogue at the CCCU June 2015 Women’s Advanced Leadership Institute (WALI) at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center near Sumas, Wash. The goal remains to raise awareness of the underrepresentation of women in senior-level leadership within the context of Christian higher education and to prepare women of all ages and at all career stages for professional advancement, influence, and impact.
Okesson received her M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton Graduate School and her Ph.D. in Communication from Regent University. Her areas of research include identity formation, immigration, intercultural and international communication, social media, and crisis communication. In the past, Okesson served as a communication leader at the Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa, and presented research at the National Communication Association.
“I first worked for a CCCU institution in the early 90s and have remained committed to the work they do to promote Christian higher education,” Okesson said. “Attending their conferences, networking with others at CCCU institutions, and supporting the work they do has always been a high value for me.”
Asbury Communication professors continue to present research.
In January, Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Elizabeth Jones published a book chapter in Dr. Quentin Schultze’s book, Communicating for Life: Christian Stewardship in Community and Media (Updated and Expanded). Learn more here.
Professor of Communication Dr. Jim Shores recently presented his research at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 16th Biennial Research Symposium in Asheville, N.C., co-authoring a study (with Dr. Brad Daniel and Dr. W. Brad Faircloth) titled, “Inspiration in the Galapagos Islands: Characterizations of Awe, Wonder and Sublimity,” which explored these three components in visitor experiences of the Galapagos Islands during a 10-day university field course. Learn more here.
The Asbury University School of Communication Arts offers an M.A. in Communication; an M.A. in Digital Storytelling; an M.A. in Instructional Design, Innovation & Leadership; an M.F.A. in Screenwriting; and an M.F.A. in Film and Television Production. These graduate programs overlap with the undergraduate Media Communication and Communication programs, allowing undergraduate students to earn an M.A. in one additional year. Learn more: https://www.asbury.edu/academics/schools/communication-arts/.