Jason S. Wrench (Ed.D., West Virginia University) is a professor in Department of Communication at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Dr. Wrench specializes in workplace learning and performance, or the intersection of instructional communication and organizational communication. His varied research interests include computer-mediated communication, empirical research methods, humor, interpersonal communication, risk/crisis communication, supervisor-subordinate interactions, and workplace learning and human performance improvement. Dr. Wrench regularly consults with individuals and organizations on workplace communication and as a professional speech coach for senior executives.
Dr. Wrench has published numerous books on a variety of communication topics: Intercultural Communication: Power in Context, Communication, Affect, and Learning in the Classroom (2000, Tapestry Press), Principles of Public Speaking (2003, The College Network), Human Communication in Everyday Life: Explanations and Applications (2008, Allyn & Bacon), Quantitative Research Methods for Communication: A Hands-On Approach (2008, 2013, 2016, & 2019, Oxford University Press), The Directory of Communication Related Mental Measures (Summer 2010, National Communication Association), Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking (2011, Flat World Knowledge), and Communication Apprehension, Avoidance, and Effectiveness (2013, Allyn & Bacon; 2018, Kendall-Hunt), Training and Development: The Intersection of Communication and Talent Development in the Modern Workplace (2015, Kendall Hunt), Organizational Communication: Theory, Research, and Practice (Flat World Knowledge, 2015), and Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach to Relationships (Milne Open Textbooks, 2021).
Dr. Wrench is also the editor of numerous books on the subject of communication: Casing Organizational Communication (2011 & 2022, Kendall Hunt), Workplace Communication for the 21st Century: Tools and Strategies that Impact the Bottom Line: Vol. 1. Internal Workplace Communication, and Vol. 2. External Workplace Communication (2013, both with Praeger), Casing Public Relations (2014, Kendall Hunt), Casing Sport Communication (2016, Kendall Hunt), The Impact of Social Media in Modern Romantic Relationships (2018, Lexington Press), and Casing Nonverbal Communication (2021, Kendall Hunt).
Dr. Wrench was the editor of the Ohio Communication Journal from 2005-2007, served as an associate editor for Communication Research Reports from 2007-2010, and been on the editorial board for numerous academic journals. Dr. Wrench was the editor of the Journal of Intercultural Communication Research for the World Communication Association from 2019 through 2022.
Dr. Wrench has published over 40 research articles that have appeared in various journals: Communication Education, Communication Quarterly, Communication Research Reports, Education, Human Communication, Journal of Homosexuality, Journal of Intercultural Communication, Southern Communication Journal, The Source: A Journal of Education, The NACADA Journal (National Association of Campus Advising), and others.
In 2012, Dr. Wrench was awarded the designated position of Teaching Fellow within the Eastern Communication Association (ECA). Dr. Wrench is a former president of ECA, which is the oldest communication association in the world.
Maryalice Citera (Ph.D., Purdue University) is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Dr. Citera specializes in the field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Her research and teaching interests center on applying psychology to understanding workplace attitudes and behaviors. Dr. Citera teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on industrial psychology, human resources, emotions, work motivation, teamwork, leadership, and organizational psychology. Dr. Citera’s research interests focus on understanding the intersection between work motivation and emotion in particular how individuals anticipate and respond to task situations. Her current research examines the role of anticipatory emotions in goal setting, procrastination, and self-efficacy. Her research also examines the role of gender in leadership and negotiation. She has published articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and book chapters including: Research in Organizational Behavior, Leadership Quarterly, Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, and the Journal of Business and Psychology. Maryalice serves as the chair of the SUNY New Paltz Human Research Ethics Board and as research mentor on graduate masters’ theses, undergraduate honor’s theses and independent study projects. She has consulted with private industry and governmental agencies, primarily conducting program evaluations, attitude surveys, and statistical analyses.
Danette Ifert Johnson (Ph.D., Northwestern University) is Provost and Professor at Kalamazoo College. Dr. Johnson’s research and teaching interests center on interpersonal communication, specifically interpersonal influence, and how people use language to gain resources and manage positive relationships with others. In addition to her graduate work in communication, she holds an M.A. in educational psychology from West Virginia University. Dr. Johnson was formerly on the faculty at Ithaca College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Texas Tech University.
Dr. Johnson has published over 35 peer-reviewed academic articles and book chapters in outlets including Communication Education, Communication Quarterly, Communication Research, The Review of Higher Education, Journal of Language and Social Psychology, and Numeracy. She is also a co-author of Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking (second edition 2016, Flat World Knowledge). Dr. Johnson has served on editorial boards of numerous academic journals, including the Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, Communication Education, the International Journal of Listening, and the Journal of the Association for Communication Administration. She has been an active member of the Eastern Communication Association for over three decades, serving as the organization’s President (2013-14), Executive Director (2004-07), ECA Teaching Fellows Chair (2016-2018) and as program planner for the organizational, instructional, nonverbal, and interpersonal communication interest groups.