A large group of adults gather outside and eat ice cream treats.
Rachel Pokora, Ph.D.

Rachel Pokora, Ph.D.

Professor of Communication
Communication Studies Department Chair
Organizational Communication, Communication and Religion, Title IX Investigator
Department
Communication Studies
Office location

Smith-Curtis 330E

Office hours

2010-2011 Academic Year: On Sabbatical

Email
rpokora [at] NebrWesleyan.edu
Headshot of Rachel Pokora, Ph.D.

Students learn best when they actively engage course material. I like to use stories, examples and activities that help students apply information to their own lives.

Background

Pokora joined the faculty at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1996. Her first sabbatical took her to Florence, Italy for the 2003-2004 academic year. Pokora spent the 2012-2012 academic year in Galway, Ireland where she was a Visiting Research Associate with the Global Women's Studies Programme at the National University of Ireland, Galway. While in Ireland, Pokora completed work on her book, "Crisis of Catholic Authority: Faith and Power in the Diocese of LIncoln, Nebraska" which addresses power, authority and structure in the Roman Catholic Church. She was awarded the United Methodist Exemplary Teacher Award in 2001.

Education

BA: Michigan State University 1990
Major: Communication

MA: Purdue University 1993
Major: Interpersonal Communication
Minor: Family Studies

Ph.D.: Purdue University 1996
Major: Organizational Communication
Minors: Interpersonal Communication, Religious Studies

Courses taught

Comm 001: Fundamentals of Speech
Comm 130: Communication Theory
Comm 140: Introduction to Leadership
Comm 190: Experiencing the Culture of Florence (study abroad in Italy)
Comm 210: Organizational Communication
Comm 250: Communication and Gender
Comm 280: Communication in Contemporary Society

Research and academic interests

Pokora's research and academic interests center on organizational communication with a focus on gender, religion, dialogue, power and authority.

Service interests

Call To Action
Call To Action Nebraska
Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty
Nebraskans For Peace

Professional and community affiliations, certifications and awards

National Communication Association
Phi Kappa Phi Honorary
United Methodist Church Exemplary Teacher Award, 2000-2001