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EDUCATION

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Ph.D.        Communication, December 2023​

• University of Missouri-Columbia

• Advisor: Haley Horstman, Ph.D.

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M.A.         Applied Communication, January 2020

• Indiana University, earned at IUPUI

• Advisor: Beth Goering, Ph.D.

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B.S.        Communication and Graphic Design, Magna Cum Lade, May 2016

• William Woods University

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PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT

• Assistant Professor of Marketing (August 2024-Present) 

• Director, Center for Social Media and Alumni Communication (August 2024-Present) 

  • Columbia College of Missouri ​

• Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (January 2023-July 2024)

• Director of Marketing and Communications (April 2022-December 2023)

  • Heart of Missouri United Way    

• Teaching Assistant (August 2020-May 2022)

• ​Research Assistant 

  • University of Missouri, Department of Communication

• Communication and Recruitment Coordinator (March 2019-August 2020)

  • Graduate School, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus  

• Marketing and Communication Manager (August 2016-February 2019)

  • National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, through Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University Indianapolis    

• Communication Coordinator

  • Snyder Engineering, 2013-2016​

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TEACHING

• Social Media, Robert W. Plaster School of Business, Columbia College

  • One section, 32 students, Spring 2026, in person

  • One section, 28 students, Spring 2025, in person

  • One section, 13 students, Fall2 2025, online 

• Advertising and Sales Promotion, Robert W. Plaster School of Business, Columbia College

  • One section, 35 students, Spring 2026, in person

  • One section, 29 students, Spring 2025, in person

  • One section, 7 students, Spring1 2026, online

  • One section, 9 students, Fall2 2025, online

  • One section, 22 students, Fall1 2025, online

• Strategic Marketing, Robert W. Plaster School of Business, Columbia College

  • One section, 15 students, Spring 2026, in person

  • One section, 17 students, Spring 2025, in person

• Digital Marketing, Robert W. Plaster School of Business, Columbia College

  • One Section, 30 students, Fall 2025, in person

  • One section, 18 students, Fall 2024, in person

  • One Section, 16 students, Fall2 2025, online

  • One Section, 20 students, Fall1 2025, online

  • One section, 22 students, Summer2 2025, online 

  • Two sections, 28 students, Spring2 2025, online 

• Public Relations, Robert W. Plaster School of Business, Columbia College

  • One Section, 11 students, Fall 2025, in person

  • One section, 12 students, Fall 2024, in person

• Consumer Behavior, Robert W. Plaster School of Business, Columbia College

  • One Section, 20 students, Fall 2025, in person

  • One section, 14 students, Fall 2024, in person

• Business Communication, Robert W. Plaster School of Business, Columbia College

  • One section, 25 students, Fall 2024, in person, writing intensive course*

• Business and Professional Communication, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Missouri

  • Two sections, 23 students, Spring 2022, in person, writing intensive course

  • Two sections, 25 students, Fall 2021, in person, writing intensive course

  • Two sections, 22 students, Spring 2021, hybrid, writing intensive course

• Public Speaking (COMM 1200), College of Arts & Sciences, University of Missouri

  • Two sections with 20 students, Fall 2020, in person

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CIRRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

• Public Relations, Full Redevelopment, Spring 2026

• Strategic Marketing, Full Redevelopment, Fall 2025

• Social Media, Content Update, Summer 2025

• Advertising and Sales Promotion, Content Update, Summer 2025

• Digital Marketing, Full Redevelopment, Fall 2024

• Consumer Behavior, Course Reviewer & Approver, Fall 2025

• Marketing Research and Analytics, Course Reviewer & Approver, Spring 2026
   

PUBLICATIONS

Total Citations: 36

h-index: 3

Clarivate-Ranked Journals: 6/6 (100%) 

First Author: 3/6 (50%)

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• Leverenz, A., Horstman, H. K., Lukowski, A. F., & Bohanek, J. G. (2024). Communicated resilience in mothers’ narratives about the diagnosis and birth of their child with Down syndrome. Journal of Family Communication, 25(1), 17–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2024.2426240

• Horstman, H. K., & Leverenz, A. (2024). “It's like rowing upstream in the dark:” Using metaphors from pandemic pregnancy to inform messaging for future public health crises. Communication Reports. https://doi.org/10.1080/08934215.2024.2303649

• Leverenz, A., Bohanek, J., & Fivush, R. (2023). Love, actually: Cultural narratives expressed in emerging adults’ stories of romantic relationships. Narrative Inquiry. https://doi.org/10.1075/ni.23001.lev

• Leverenz, A., & Hernandez, R. (2023). Women’s uncertainty management strategies in communication about urinary tract infections (UTIs). Qualitative Health Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323231156370

• Horstman, H. K., Leverenz, A., Morrison, S., Jordan, E., Baltazar, A., Cen, X., Charvat, E., Okafor, B., & Butauski, M.  (2023). Pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic: Communicated narrative sense-making and resilience. Health Communication. https//doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2163103

• Chavrat, E., Hortsman, H. K., Jordan, E., Leverenz, A., & Okafor, B. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women’s social support and sense-making about pregnancy narratives. Journal of Family Communication, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2021.1932503

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BOOK CHAPTERS​

• Brann, M., Leverenz, A., Bute, J. J., Holman, A., & Horstman, H. K. (2025). Using narrative to empower, educate, and make sense of reproductive loss. In L. B. Carper (Ed.), Innovative approaches to the use of narrative in health communication research (pp. 27-50). Vernon Press

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PUBLICATIONS UNDER REVIEW AND IN PREPARATION​

• Leverenz, A. (under review, Narrative Inquiry). Narrative identity: Female family member stories and shaping the self.

• Leverenz, A. (under review, Journal of Family Communication). Intergenerational female family member stories about sexual health and HPV.

• Leverenz, A. (in preparation). Uncertainty management strategies in stigmatized family communication on women’s sexual health: Implications for health behaviors.

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CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• Leverenz, A. (2025, November). Narrative identity: Female family member stories and shaping the self. National Communication Association Convention. Sponsored by Family Communication Division.

• Leverenz, A. (2025, November). Intergenerational female family member stories about sexual health and HPV. National Communication Association Convention. Sponsored by Family Communication Division.

• Brann, M., Leverenz, A., Bute, J. J., Holman, A., & Horstman, H. K. (2025, May). Narrative’s role in empowering the storyteller and storylisteners about reproductive loss. D.C. Health Communication Conference. 

• Leverenz, A. (2024, April 5). Uncertainty management strategies in stigmatized family communication on women’s sexual health: Implications for health behaviors. Panel: The role of health communication in understanding and combatting stigma. Kentucky Conference on Health Communication. 

• Leverenz, A., Horstman, H. K., Bohanek, J., & Lukowski, A. (2023, November 17). Communicated resilience in mothers’ stories of their baby’s birth and diagnosis of Down syndrome. Panel: Top Papers in Family Communication. National Communication Association Convention. Sponsored by Family Communication Division. 

• Leverenz, A., Bohanek, J. Lukowski, A., & Horstman, H. K. (2023). Birth and diagnosis stories from mothers of children with Down syndrome: Sense-making and acceptance. The miracle of birth: Understanding the roles, identity, and sense-making of pregnancy. Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Sponsored by Interpersonal and Family Communication Interest Group. 

• Leverenz, A., Horstman, H. K., & Holman, A. (2023). Heterosexual married couples coping with miscarriage: Understanding the roles of social support, relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, positive and negative affect. Social support: The impact on us and in our relationships. Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Sponsored by Interpersonal and Family Communication Interest Group.

• Miller-Day, M., Scharp, K., Pennington, N., Cooper, R. A., Wolfe, B., & Leverenz, A. (2023). Panel: Examining the promise and possibilities of mixed methods research in interpersonal and family communication research. Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Sponsored by Interpersonal and Family Communication Interest Group. 

• Leverenz, A., Morrissey, B., Schemenaur, J., Taylor, S. J., Gerston, E., & Okafor, B. E. (2023). Panel: Discussing experiences of “research is me-search” and personal research. Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Sponsored by Graduate Student Caucus.

• Leverenz, A., Bohanek, J. G., & Fivush, R. (2022). Love, actually: Cultural narratives expressed in emerging adult stories of romantic relationships. Identities, Culture, and Interpersonal Communication Panel. National Communication Association Convention. Sponsored by the Interpersonal Communication Division. 

• Leverenz, A. & Hernandez, R. (2022). Women’s uncertainty management strategies in communication about Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). Kentucky Conference on Health Communication: Communication Strategies to Promote Comprehensive Well-being. Lexington, KY. 

• Leverenz, A. (2022). Heterosexual Cross-Sex Friends at Work: Effects of Dyad Relationship Status on Friendship Variables and Expansion of the Investment Model. Challenges and Connections in Interpersonal Communication. Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Sponsored by Interpersonal and Family Communication Interest Group. Madison, WI.

• Mahutga, J. Williams, E. S., Weaver, E. DeBeck, D., Leverenz, A. N., Greer, G., Graham, S., & Doran, B. (2022). Making Up for Lost Time, Or Losing Time We Thought We Could Make Up? Graduate School and the Pandemic. Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Sponsored by Graduate Student Caucus.

• Leverenz, A. N. (2021). Rheumatoid Arthritis: Associations Between Diagnosis Acceptance, Dyadic Support, and Satisfaction. Research in Progress: Health Connections. National Communication Association Convention. Sponsored by the Health Communication Divisions. Seattle, WA.

• Hortsman, H. K., Leverenz, A. N., & Watson, O. P. (2021). Enacting Communicated Resilience in Romantic Relationships following a Miscarriage. Support and Coping in Close Relational Partners Managing Health Issues: Examining Both Partner’s Perspectives. National Communication Association Convention. Co-Sponsored by the Interpersonal and Health Communication Divisions. Seattle, WA.

• Charvat, E., Hortsman, H. K., Jordan, E., Leverenz, A. N., & Okafor, B. (2021). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women’s Social Support and Sense-Making about Pregnancy Narratives. Top Four Student Papers in the Interpersonal and Family Communication Interest Group Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Cincinnati, OH.  

• Horstman, H. K., Leverenz, A. N., Baltazar, A., Cen, X., Charvat, E. Morrison, S., Okafor, B., Jordan, E., & Butauski, M. (2021). Narrative Resilience of Pregnancy During a Pandemic. Paper presented at the 71st Annual International Communication Association Conference. Sponsored by the Health Communication Division. Denver, CO.

• Mahutga, J., Debeck, D., Leverenz, A. N., Millender, L., Morrison, J., Weaver, E. & Williams, E. (2021). A Tale of Two Woes: Graduate School Year 1 and COVID-19. Graduate Student Caucasus. Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Cincinnati, OH.

• Leverenz A. N. (2020). Communication of Commitment through the Relational Crossroads in Monogamous, Romantic Relationships. Paper presented at the 106th National Communication Association Convention. Sponsored by the Interpersonal Communication Division. Online. 

• Leverenz, A. N. & Brann, M. (2018). Communication at Work, not Play: An Exploratory Study of Self-Identified Heterosexuals' Professional Cross-Sex Friendships. Paper presented at the 104th National Communication Association Convention. Sponsored by the Interpersonal Communication Division. Salt Lake City, UT.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

• Guest lecturer on women’s health and advocacy, Kansas Women’s Leadership Institute, funded by the Department of State, Summer 2025

• Guest lecturer on social media safety for seniors, Heart of Missouri United Way, Give 5 Retiree program, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024

• Guest lecturer on cultural relationship narratives in Honors Social Development, Division of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, March 2022, April 2023

• Presenter, Department of Communication Brown Bag, Health Communication, April 2023

• Guest lecturer on cultural relationship narratives in Honors Stories and Selves, Division of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, November 2022

• Guest lecturer on social support in Relational Communication, Department of Communication, University of Missouri, October 2022

• Guest lecturer on group public speaking, Learning Strategies, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, October 2020, March 2021, October 2021

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AWARDS, GRANTS, & SCHOLARSHIPS

• Mizzou 18 Award: For world-class research, collaboration with faculty and staff, and demonstrated leadership with undergraduate students, AY2024

• Top Papers in Family Communication, National Communication Association Convention 2023​

 

SERVICE

• Innovation in Teaching Leader, Columbia College

  • •    Identify topics that can be used for the CTL’s Lunch & Learn series in Dulany
    •    Relaunch “Pawsome Educator” initiative (can recruit outside student help here)
    •    Explore launching a new Faculty Learning Community (6-8 participants) in the spring
    •    Document and share innovative teaching practices
    •    Create a "Caught in in the ACT" peer recognition program

• Co-Brand Ambassador for the Center for Teaching and Learning, Columbia College

• Reviewer

  • Public Relations Division, reviewer, National Communication Association, 2025

  • Family Communication Division, reviewer, National Communication Association, 2025

  • Health Communication Division, reviewer, National Communication Association, 2025

• Committees

  • General Education Committee member, AY 2025-26

  • Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Board member, AY 2025-2026

  • Search Committee – Supply Chain Management & Business Analytics, 2025 

• Advising

  • Club Advisor, American Marketing Association Columbia College Chapter

  • 25 undergraduate marketing major advisees, Columbia College, 2025-Present

  • Expert Adviser, High School AP Research Project, Nixa High School, 2025-Present

  • Recruitment information advisor, Alpha Nu chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Missouri, 2021-2024

  • Finance advisor, Kappa Omega chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 2016-19

  • Philanthropy advisor, Alpha Chi Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Butler University, 2016-19

  • Panhellenic advisor, Alpha Chi Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Butler University, 2016-19
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AWARDS, GRANTS, & SCHOLARSHIPS

• Received Mizzou 18 Award: For world-class research, collaboration with faculty and staff, and demonstrated leadership with undergraduate students, 2024

• Received Top Papers in Family Communication, National Communication Association Convention 2023

• Nominated for Gillman Research Award, 2023

• Nominated for Outstanding Researcher, Graduate Professional Council, 2023

• Received Verser Research Grant Award, Department of Communication, December 2022

• Nominated for Graduate Student Research Award, Association of Communication Graduate Students, 2022, 2023

• Received Top Paper Panel, Interpersonal and Family Interest Group CSCA, 2021

• Received Graduate Professional Council (GPC) Conference Presentation Travel Award, February 2021, November 2022

• Received University of Missouri, Communication Scholarship, Fall 2020

• Received Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Communication Studies, Department Travel grant, 2018

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

American Marketing Association
The Year Ahead in Marketing Virtual Conference, Spring 2026
Social Media Bootcamp, Spring 2025
AI and Analytics, Spring 2025
Higher Education Conference, Spring 2025

Center for Teaching and Learning Workshops
How to Revitalize Your Online Discussion Boards, Spring 2025
AI in the Classroom, Fall 2024
 

Professional Memberships
American Marketing Association
Public Relations Society of America 
National Communication Association
Central States Communication Association

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