Home » Faculty/Staff Information

Faculty/Staff Information

Emily Plec

she/they

Professor of Communication, Communication Studies

Why I chose WOU

I liked the small size of the classes, the opportunity to really get to know my students and colleagues, and the focus on first generation and working class educational oppportunity. Plus, location, location, location!!! And my spouse is a flyfisher. So that sealed the deal.

At WOU since

09/16/2002

Hobbies

I enjoy hiking, playing tennis, reading, watching sports and movies, gardening, playing card games, scrabble & dominoes, & playing with my dog (but she's lousy at scrabble).

Fun fact

I once gave bell hooks a foot massage!

Hometown

Clarkston, MI

Favorite book/movie

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Office Hours

Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri
	12 - 12:30 p.m.	10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.	12 - 12:30 p.m.	Via Zoom 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Classes Taught

Course	Title	Location	Days	Times
COM 408	WORKSHOP: RACE POWER PRIVILEGE	ONLINE CRS	-------	-
COM 400	COMMUNICATION AND LABOR	ONLINE CRS	-------	-
COM 325	INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION	BELL 110A	-M-----	1600-1750
COM 412	ANALYZING POPULAR CULTURE	BELL 110A	-M-W---	1400-1550
COM 325	INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION	HYBRD* CRS	-------	-

Areas of responsibility

I teach courses in Rhetoric and Media, as well as Intercultural, Environmental, Animal, Prison and Sport Communication. My research focuses on the rhetoric of racism in sport, animal-human communication, public participation in environmental decision-making, and the rhetoric of women leaders.

I also run WOU's Fostering Success program (serving students from foster care backgrounds) and oversee internships in the Campus Garden.

Education

PhD in Communication from the University of Utah

MA in Communication from the University of New Mexico

BA in Religous Studies and Peace Studies from the University of New Mexico

Professional experience

President, Western Oregon University Federation of Teachers

Vice President, American Federation of Teachers - Oregon

Trustee, Oregon State Board of Higher Education (OUS)

Director, Fostering Success (WOU)

Chair, Environmental Communication Interest Group, Western States Communication Association

Awards and honors

Abby’s House “Woman of the Year”

Advisor of the Year

Lambda Award (NCA)

Environmental Communication Research Award (NCA)

Canadian Consulate General Fellowship

Educator of the Year Award (Friends of the Luckiamute)

Rex Mix Program of Excellence Award (NCA)

Professional memberships

National Communication Association (NCA)

Western States Communication Association (WSCA)

International Environmental Communication Association (IECA)

International Association for Communication and Sport (IACS)

P-CARE (Prison Communication Activism Research & Education)

OCHEP (Oregon Consortium for Higher Education in Prison)

What will you do and learn in my courses

I enjoy incorporating creative activities and projects into my courses.

You can expect to engage in discussions in my classes.

You will learn a lot about yourself and many things about others, their cultures and perspectives.

Did this faculty or staff member support your efforts to succeed? Give them a Student success shout-out.