Kristen Christman

Dr. Kristen T. Christman has over 20 years of experience in program creation, development, grant writing, and community outreach, and has been instrumental in securing grant funding and significant planned gifts exceeding $3.2 million throughout her career at UNCG. Part of that work was developing and serving as director for UNCG’s flagship student success program Guarantee Scholars, a college access program recognized by The Education Trust. As a part of the UNCG Department of Communication Studies – with additional affiliations in UNCG’s Gerontology Program and the Lloyd International Honors College – Christman is an accomplished educator and dedicated advocate for student success who has combined a strong academic foundation with practical experience to drive positive change in the educational landscape. 

Christman’s teaching, research, and service focus on positive communication, pedagogy, and community engagement. In 2022 she co-founded the Positive Communication Network, a national community of scholars, practitioners, and students committed to the study and practice of positive human communication. In 2022 she co-founded the Positive Communication Network, a national community of scholars, practitioners, and students committed to the study and practice of positive human communication.  

Education

• Ph.D., Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations, UNC Greensboro
• M.A., Communication Studies, UNC Greensboro 
• B.A., Political Science, Professional Communications, Meredith College

Select University Committees & Affiliations

• Provost’s Academic Portfolio Review Task Force, Spring 2023-Fall 2023
• University Senate P&T and EDI steering committee, Spring 2022- Spring 2023
• Office of Research and Engagement and the Institute for Community and Economic Engagement, Grant Reviewer, Community-Engaged Pathways and Partnerships (P2) Grant Team, Spring 2023
• University Faculty Senate, Senator, Fall 2021-Spring 2022 & Fall 2023
• University Faculty Senate Committee, Online Learning, Fall 2021-Spring 2022
• Chair, Chancellor’s Advisory Board for UNCG Partnership School, Spring 2018-Fall 2022
• Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, Fall 2014-Fall 2015
• Provost’s University Values Committee, Fall 2014-Fall 2015
• UNCG Institute for Community and Economic Engagement (ICEE) Committee, Spring 2014
• UNCG Provost search committee, fall 2013-May 2014 

Publications & Reviews

• Mirivel, J. & Christman, K. (2023) Communication & Community: Theory and Practice for Social Change, Kendall Hunt (in press), Spring 2024.
• McCall, J., Christman, K., & Thorner, Q. (2023) (in press). Acknowledging the Crisis of Separation and Disconnection in Student-Teacher Relationships. In A. Atay and M. Congdon (Eds.) Crisis Communication and Pedagogy.
• Robinson, R. Communication and Generation Z in Postsecondary Spaces, Christman, K. & McCall, J. (2021) Acknowledging the Needs of Gen Z: The Necessity of Moving Beyond Recognition in Today’s University Classrooms.
• Christman, K., Mirivel, J., Young, A, Fuller, R. (2022, January 30th) “Integrating Positive Communication Principles and Practices in Business Communication Courses,” The Western Association for Business Communication Bulletin.
• Student Academic Services (2007). Momentum: Your Transition to UNCG. 6 th ed. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt 

Select presentations & Educational Consulting

• Socha, T. , McCall, J. & Christman K. Carolinas Communication Association Conference, “Bridging Divides: Positive Pedagogy- Strategies for Communicating Across Difference” September, 2023.
• Christman, K. & Lambe, B. Carolinas Communication Association Conference, “ Innovative and Creative Ways of Understanding Communication Education: Communication & Community: Promoting Fire Safety through Service Learning with the Greensboro Fire Department” September, 2023. • Poulos, C., Christman, K., Carolinas Communication Association Conference “Communicating Across Difference: An Intense Dialogue Session” September, 2023.
• Socha, T. , McCall, J. & Christman K. Positive Communication Network Inaugural Conference, Founding Member, “Towards a Model of Positive Communication Pedagogy” March 17, 2023.
• Violette, J. Cuny, K., McCall, J., Christman, K., Smith, L., Carolinas Communication Association “Tales of Whoa and Re-Stabilization: Post-Pandemic Implications on Communication Programs,” Fall 2022.
• Christman, K., Mirivel, J., Young, A, Fuller, R. ABC Annual International Conference, “Integrating Positive Communication Principles and Practices in Business Communication Courses,” Association of Business Communication (Academic), An Interactive, Action-Based Workshop, Fall 2021.
• Christman, K., Mirivel, J., Fuller, R, Young, A, Socha, T., Glenn, P. National Communication Association Conference, “Transforming Students’ Communicative Abilities: Pedagogical Principles, Theoretical Framework, and Practical Advice for Teaching a Course in Positive Communication,” National Communication Association (Academic). Panel, Instructional Development Division, Spring 2021.
• Christman, K, Houk, A. ITLC Lilly Conferences. “Finding Your Why: Enhancing Service Learning through Research” Conference Session. COVID-19 canceled.
• Christman, K., McCall, J. National Communication Association Conference, “ Possibilities of Positive Pedagogy: A collection of activities and pedagogical strategies that breathe life into the classroom,” National Communication Association (Academic). Panel, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Fall 2019. 

Awards & Honors

• William C. Friday Fellow nominee, Spring 2023
• UNCG International Programs Koehler Award, 2021 & 2023
• UNCG Global Service-Learning Course Development Grant, 2019
• University Libraries’ Information Literacy Faculty Development Award, 2019
• UNCG Gladys Strawn Bullard Leadership Award Nominee, 2011 & 2021