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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) 

  • Columbia College of Missouri ​

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

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

  • Heart of Missouri United Way    

• Courtesy Faculty (January 2024-June 2024)

• 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

• Instructor, Business and Professional Communication (COMM 3575W), University of Missouri, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022

  • Two sections each semester with 20-22 students, hybrid and fully in person, writing intensive course

• Instructor, Public Speaking (COMM 1200), University of Missouri, Fall 2020

  • Two sections with 20 students

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PUBLICATIONS

• 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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PUBLICATIONS UNDER REVIEW AND IN PREPARATION​

• Brann, M., Leverenz, A., Bute, J. J., Holman, A., & Horstman, H. K. (under revision). 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. Vernon Press

• Leverenz, A., Horstman, H. K., Lukowski, A., & Bohanek, J. G. (under revision). Communicated resilience enacted in mothers’ stories of their baby’s birth and diagnosis of Down syndrome. 

• Hortsman, H. K., Leverenz, A., & Watson, O. P. (in preparation). Enacting communicated resilience in romantic relationships following a miscarriage. 

• Leverenz, A., Bohanek, J. G., & Horstman, H. K. (in preparation). Mother-Daughter conversations about puberty, sex, and development: Implications for narrative identity in emerging adulthood. 

• Leverenz, A., Lukowski, A. &  Bohanek, J. G. (in preparation). Metaphors as meaning-making during pre- and post-natal diagnoses of Down syndrome.

• 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. (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 cultural relationship narratives in Honors Social Development, Division of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, March 2022, 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

• Guest lecturer on human trafficking in metropolitan communities, ECON 3400-001: Economics of Sex and Drugs, University of Colorado Denver, September 2019

• Sexual violence researcher and student liaison, 2015-16, under Dean of Student Life, Venita Mitchell, Ph.D., William Woods University. Researched, planned, and conducted domestic and sexual violence awareness, prevention, and intervention events for college students. Implemented the NO MORE and NOT Anymore training for undergraduate students. Worked with community and local media outlets to educate on sexual assault. Wrote letters to incoming freshman. Worked as a survivor advocate when requested for discussions with campus medical or administration staff.

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SERVICE

• Reviewer

  • Conference paper reviewer, Student Division, National Communication Association, April 2021.

  • ​Conference paper reviewer, Applied Communication Division, National Communication Association, April 2019.

• Representative

  • Graduate Professional Council (GPC), Department of Communication Representative, Fall 2021-present (re-elected for a second term)

  • ​Indiana Protection of Abused and Trafficked Humans (IPATH) taskforce, 2018-19

  • Coalition to End Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV), Board of Directors, 2015-16

• Committees

  • Finance committee member, Association of Communication Graduate Students, 2020-present

  • Communications committee member, Graduate Professional Council, 2022-23

  • Budget committee member, Graduate Professional Council, 2021-22

  • Professional development committee member, Graduate Professional Council, 2021-22

  • Alumni committee member, Communication Department

    • Identify and engage department alumni, coordinate with department Advisory Council, and facilitate alumni visits. September 2020-present

• Volunteer

  • Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault, Communication coordinator, 2018-19

  • PHACE Syndrome, Inc. Board of Directors, Conference communication chair, 2017-19

• ​Advising​​

  • Alpha Nu chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Missouri, Recruitment information advisor, 2020-present

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

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

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

• Advocacy

  • Went to D.C. with CGP and AFP and met with lawmakers and advocate for certain laws for nonprofits and charitable gifts

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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

Designing Effective Micro-Learning Lectures To Engage & Inspire, October 2021

Teaching Renewal Day. Department of Communication, August 2021

Teaching with Writing for Student Learning: WI Teaching Assistant Workshop, Spring 2021

GradsWrite, University of Missouri Graduate School, writing process focused support group, Spring 2021

Professional Memberships
Central States Communication Association
International Communication Association
National Communication Association

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