DR. CARL J. BROWN
Director, Grand Valley State University Speech Lab
Affiliate Professor, School of Communications
1 Campus Dr. / 127 Lake Michigan Hall Allendale, MI 49401
brownca1@gvsu.edu
(616) 331-8199
gvsu.edu/speechlab
www.carljbrown.com
EDUCATION
Ph.D. University of Southern Mississippi, 2016
Communication Studies
Emphases: Interpersonal and Strategic Communication
Dissertation: Instructor-Student Classroom Interactions: An Experimental Study
of Language, Sex-Differences, & Student Perceptions of Instructors
Chair: Dr. Charles Tardy
Committee: Dr. Wendy Atkins-Sayre, Dr. Lawrence Hosman, Dr. Eura Jung, & Dr. Steven Venette
M.A. East Tennessee State University, 2007
Professional Communication
Emphasis: Gender and Communication
Cognate: Linguistics
Committee: Dr. Amber Kinser, Dr. Patricia Cutspec, & Dr. Kelly Dorgan
B.A. East Tennessee State University, 2004
Communication Studies
Major: Speech Communication
Minor: English
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2015-Present Director, Grand Valley State University Speech Lab
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
2014-Present Affiliate Professor, School of Communications
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
2014-2015 Associate Director, Grand Valley State University Speech Lab
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
2012-2014 Coordinator, University of Southern Mississippi Speaking Center
The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
2011-2014 Graduate Assistant, Communication Studies Department
The University of Southern Mississippi
2008-2011 Director of Forensics, Department of Communication
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
2007-2011 Adjunct Faculty, Social Science Division
Northeast State Community College, Blountville, TN
2007-2011 Lecturer, Department of Communication
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
2005-2007 Teaching Assistant, Department of Communication
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
PUBLICATIONS
Brown, C. J., & Leek D. (in press). Beyond information literacy: Rethinking approaches to the
college public speaking curriculum. In K. L. Ranger (Ed.), Informed learning
applications: Insights from research and practice (pp. TBD). Bingley, UK: Emerald
Publishing.
Leek, D., & Brown, C. J. (in press). Speech consultants at Grand Valley State University:
Empowering student voices. In M. O’Kelly (Ed.), Training research consultants: A guide
for academic libraries (pp. TBD). Chicago, IL: Association of College & Research
Libraries.
Brown, C. J., King, M. L., & Venette, S. J. (2015). Learning styles: Rounding the cycle of
learning in the context of peer tutoring. In W. Atkins-Sayre & E. L. Yook (Eds.),
Communicating advice: Peer tutoring and communication practice (pp. 123-138). New
York, NY: Peter Lang.
McGowan, A. M., & Brown, C. J. (2013). “Your body, our choice:” Personhood USA’s
disciplining discourse. Synergy, 4, 95-103.
Brown, C. J. (2013). Lombardi, Kate Stone. The mama’s boy myth: Why keeping our sons close
makes them stronger. Women’s Studies in Communication, 36, 211-212.
Brown, C. J. (2011). Mistresses. In M. Zeiss-Strange, C.K. Oyster, & J.E. Sloan (Eds.),
Encyclopedia of Women in Today’s World (pp. 971-972). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
SELECTED CONFERENCE ACTIVITY
Conference Chair (2017). National Association of Communication Centers.
Grand Rapids, MI.
Panel Participant (2016). Empowerment in the center: Serving students with ASD. National
Communication Association. Philadelphia, PA
Brown, C. J., & Leek, D. (2016). Empowering students in the center: Public speaking
empowerment scale. National Association of Communication Centers. Pittsburgh, PA
Leek, D., & Brown, C. J. (2015). The many faces of public speaking practice among
undergraduates. National Association of Communication Centers. Fredericksburg, VA
Brown, C. J., King, M. L., & Venette, S. J. (2014). Learning styles: Rounding the cycle of
learning in the context of peer tutoring. National Communication Association.
Chicago, IL
Panel Chair. (2014). Communication centers in the past, present, and future. National
Communication Association. Chicago, IL
Brown, C. J., & Magee, N. E. (2014). “Your speech is the bomb:” Assessing clients’ perceptions
of tutor use of slang. National Association of Communication Centers. Phoenix, AZ
Brown, C. J. (2013). “She said what?” Students’ perceptions of slang in the classroom.
National Communication Association. Washington, DC [Also selected for the
Graduate Research Symposium at University of Southern Mississippi]
Brown, C. J. (2013). A tale of two staffs: A longitudinal study of two communication center
staffs using social identity theory. National Association of Communication Centers.
Greensboro, NC
McGowan, A. M., & Brown, C. J. (2012). “Your Body Our Choice: Personhood USA’s
Disciplining Discourse” National Communication Association. Orlando, FL [Also
selected for the Graduate Research Symposium at University of Southern Mississippi]
Brown, C. J. (2007). “The Appalachian dialect: A regional, socioeconomic, and age-
based comparison” Southeastern Conference of Linguistics. Natchitoches, LA
AWARDS
2017. NCA’s Von Till Outstanding Newcomer Award. National Association of Communication
Centers Division of the National Communication Association.
2016. Silver Cordon Award. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Grand Valley
State University
2016. Joyce Ferguson Faculty Paper Award. National Association of Communication
Centers Division of the National Communication Association
2014. Huddy-Gunn Award for Outstanding Graduate Research Paper. National
Association of Communication Centers Division of the National Communication
Association
2013. Outstanding Communication Center Consultant. National Association of
Communication Centers Division of the National Communication Association
2013. Huddy-Gunn Award for Outstanding Graduate Research Paper. National
Association of Communication Centers Division of the National Communication
Association
2013. National Communication Association. Departmental Award, Department of
Communication Studies, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
2013. Susan Ross Mallon Award. Outstanding Communication Consultant.
The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
2012. Don George Award for Academic Excellence The University of Southern Mississippi,
Hattiesburg, MS
2011. Leadership and Service Award. Department of Communication, East Tennessee State
University, Johnson City, TN
COURSES TAUGHT
Introduction to Communication
Public Speaking (Traditional, Online)
Argumentation & Debate
Communication Theory
Communication Research Methods
Communication Consulting
SELECTED ADDRESSES, WORKSHOPS, & LECTURES
Brown, C. J. “Freshman Academy: The Value of Public Speaking”
Brown, C. J. “Empowerment and Public Speaking”
Brown, C. J. “The Oral Presentation of Photography”
Brown C. J. “Patient-Nurse Interactions and Communication Accommodation Theory”
Brown, C. J. “Turing Papers Into Presentations”
Brown, C. J. “Connecting with Audiences: Persuasion and Performance”
Brown, C. J. “Improving Workplace Nonverbal Immediacy”
Brown, C. J. “Campus Representatives and Effective Communication”
Brown, C. J. “Conference Paper Presentations: How To”
Brown, C. J. “Effective Persuasive Speaking”
Brown, C. J. “Sharing Science with a Lay Audience”
Brown, C. J. “Working with Advanced Speakers”
Brown, C. J. “Experience the E-Portfolio”
Brown, C. J. “Preparing for Graduate School”
Brown, C. J. “Domestic Violence Awareness”
Brown, C. J. “Make a Choice: Men’s’ Role in Ending Sexual Assault”
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Communication Association
National Association of Communication Centers
KEY RESEARCH INTERESTS
Public Speaking Empowerment
Classroom Communication
Slang Development & Use
Communication Centers
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Conference Chair. (2017). National Association of Communication Centers Excellence at the
Center Conference. Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
Editorial Review Board. Member. (2017). Communication Centers Journal
Grand Valley Knowledge Market Advisory Council. Founding Member. Grand Valley State
University, Allendale, MI
Faculty Liaison. (2014-Present). Faculty-Speech Lab outreach and facilitation. School of
Communications, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
Ronald McNair Program. Speech Coach. (2015-Present). Grand Valley State University,
Allendale, MI
Continuing Education Facilitator. (2014). Mississippi Nurses Association.
Committee Member. (2013). Assistant Professor Search Committee. Department of
Communication Studies, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Communication Consultant. (2012-2013). National Science Foundation—GK-12 Program
Committee Member. (2012-2013). Quality Enhancement Plan. University of Southern
Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Event Coordinator. (2012). Department Homecoming Celebration. Department of
Communication Studies, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Organizer. (2012). Annual Southern Miss Speaking Competition.
University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Reviewer. (2012). Feminist and Women’s Studies Division. National Communication
Association
Evaluator. (2010). University Oral Communication Assessment, SACS Accreditation
Committee. East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Coach. (2008-2011). Forensics and Debate Team. East Tennessee State University,
Johnson City, TN
Organizer. (2008-2011). Little Brown Jug Parliamentary Debate Tournament. East Tennessee
State University, Johnson City, TN
Committee Member. (2007). Assistant Professor Search Committee. Department of
Communication, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
