---

About Katherine Denker

Dr. Kathy Denker received her Ph.D. in Interpersonal Communication at the University of Missouri, after completing a M.A. focused on Instructional Communication at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She is a professor who also has the privilege of serving as the Director of Graduate Studies. Her research and teaching stem from the areas of interpersonal and instructional communication, with a focus around issues of power and identity. Her work as appeared in book chapters as well as Journal of Communication Pedagogy, Feminist Pedagogy, Journal of Family Communication, Women & Language, and Computers in Human Behavior among others.  

Education

Ph.D., University of Missouri
M.A., University of Nebraska-Omaha
B.S., University of Nebraska-Omaha

Research Interests

• Critical Interpersonal Communication
• Work-Life
• Identity and Communication
• Instructional Communication
• Power

Teaching

COMM 210 Fundamentals of Public Communication
COMM 240 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
COMM 440 Relational Communication
COMM 441 Contemporary Issues in Organizational Communication
COMM 601 Introduction to Communication Studies
COMM 605 Qualitative Research in Communication
COMM 635 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 655 Instructional Communication 

Awards and Honors

• 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award, Ball State University
• 2023-2024- Excellence in Graduate Recruiting-BSU Graduate School
• 2023 Dean’s Faculty Award, Ball State University College of Communication, Information and Media
• 2022 Outstanding Book Chapter Award, Ethnography Division, National Communication Association Conference, New Orleans, LA
• 2021 Faculty Research Award, Ball State University College of Communication, Information and Media
• 2020 Access Award, Ball State University Office of Disability Services
• 2019-2020 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Leadership Fellow
• 2019 Outstanding Masters Mentor Award, Masters Education Division, National Communication Association
• 2018 Outstanding Service Award, Central States Communication Association
• 2017 Twenty Under 40- The Star Press/M Magazine- Muncie, IN

Service

• Past President, Central States Communication Association
• Editorial Board Member- Communication Teacher, Communication Studies, Journal of Autoethnography, Journal of Communication Pedagogy, Women & Language, Women’s Studies in Communication and Basic Communication Course Annual
• Member, Financial and Budgetary Affairs Committee

Selected Publications

• Denker, K. J., Bell, T. J., Pringle, M.S., & Sikapokoo, G. (2025). Presidential Spotlight: Centering sponsorship and mentorship in Central, Bringing coherence to our future. Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 9, 135-142. https://doi.org/10.31446/JCP.2025.1.15
• Denker, K. J. (2024). Feminist pedagogical requirements of vulnerability in writing failure: Bad claims and worse reviews. Feminist Pedagogy, 4(5). https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/feministpedagogy/vol4/iss5/4
• Manning, J., Allen, J., & Denker, K. J. (2023). Family communication as…Metaphors for family communication. Wiley
• Denker, K. J., Knight, K., Carroll, R. K.*, Bradley, K. R.*, Bonine, P. J.*, Lauck, S. M.*, Prytulski, H. S.*, & Storr, M. L. (2022). Assessing student mindset, interest, participation, and rapport in the post-pandemic public speaking classroom: Effects of modality change and communication growth mindset. Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 6, 178-194. http://doi.org/10.31446/JCP2022.1.14
• Denker, K. J. (2021). Critical feminist theory: Giving voice and visablity to gendered expereinces. In D. O. Braithwaite, & P. Schrodt (Eds.), Engageing theories in interpersonal communication (3rd Ed., pp. 233-245). Routledge.
• Manning, J., & Denker, K. J. (2021). Beyond the hammer: A critical turn for interpersonal and family communication studies. Review of Communication, 21(3), 177-186. https://doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2021.1969424
• Denker, K. J., Rausch, K.*, & Williams, S.* (2020). Learning through the process: Failure, frustration and forward movement in autoethnography. In A. Herrmann, (Ed.), The Routledge International Handbook of Organizational Autoethnography (p. 353-365). Routledge.
• Goode, J. R., Denker, K. J., Cortese, D., Carlson, L*., & Morris, K. (2020). Intrusive teaching: The strain of care labor, identity, and the emerging majority in higher education. Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 3, 49-64. http//doi.org/10.31446/JCP.2020.6
  *-Current or Former BSU Students

---