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EDUCATION

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Ph.D.        Communication, expected May 2024​

  • University of Missouri-Columbia

  • Advisor: Haley Horstman, Ph.D.

  • Focus Areas: Interpersonal & Family, Health & Crisis

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M.A.         Applied Communication, January 2020

  • Indiana University, earned at IUPUI

  • Advisor: Beth Goering, Ph.D.

  • Focus Area: Communicating Science

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

  • William Woods University

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PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT

  • Director of Communication and Marketing

    • Heart of Missouri United Way, May 2022-Present     

  • Teaching Assistant

    • University of Missouri, Department of Communication, 2020-May 2022   

  • Communication and Recruitment Coordinator

    • Graduate School, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, 2019-2020  

  • Marketing and Communication Manager

    • National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, through Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, 2016-2019      

  • Communication Coordinator

    • Snyder Engineering, 2013-2016​

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PUBLICATIONS

  • Horstman, H. K., Leverenz, A., Morrison, S., Jordan, E., Baltazar, A., Cen, X., Charvat, E., Okafor, B., & Butauski, M.  (in press). Pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic: Communicated narrative sense-making and resilience. Health Communication.​

  • 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, COVID-19 Special Issue.

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PUBLICATIONS UNDER REVIEW AND IN PREPARATION​

  • Leverenz, A., & Hernandez, R. (under review). Women’s Uncertainty Management Strategies in Communication about Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). 

  • Leverenz, A., Goering, B., & Brann, M. (in preparation). Communicating Commitment Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Relational Maintenance and Resilience.

  • Leverenz, A,. & Brann, M. (in preparation). Making Work Friends Work: Communicating Trust, Support, Satisfaction, and Commitment in Cross-Sex Heterosexual Workplace Friendships. 

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TEACHING

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

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

  • Lectured on business writing to the full section of 120 students twice a semester

 

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

  • Two sections with 20 students

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CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

  • 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 narrative 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 cultural relationship narrative in Honors Social Development, Division of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, March 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

  • Top Paper Panel, Interpersonal and Family Interest Group, Central States Communication Association, 2021

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

  • University of Missouri-Columbia, Communication Scholarship, Fall 2020

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

  • William Woods University, Amy Shelton McNutt award, 2016

  • Who’s Who Among Students in American University and Colleges, 2016

 

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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