Image description: A collage of 6 personal photos. Two showing Dr. Jeffress playing drums, two showing Dr. Jeffress and his wife, one family photo of Dr. Jeffress, his wife and three kids, and one photo of Dr. Jeffress standing behind a Nicholls State University lectern and speaking into a microphone
EDUCATION
Certificate in University Teaching and Learning
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad May '18
Doctor of Philosophy (Communication Studies)
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA, May '13
Master of Divinity
B.M.A. Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, TX May '03
Master of Arts
Harding School of Theology, Memphis, TN May '03
Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Ministry
Harding University, Searcy, AR Dec '95
ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE
FULL-TIME
Medical University of the Americas, Nevis, West Indies
Professor & School Counselor
May '22 - Present
Department of Communications
Associate Professor of Communication Studies
Aug '19 - May '22
Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies
Lecturer in Communication Studies
Jan '17 - July '19
Department of Mass Communication
Assistant Professor Aug '10 - Dec '16
Adjunct Online Instructor Jan '17 - May '17
Books
Jeffress, M.S. (Ed.) (In process). Disability representation in the media. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S., Brown, W. J., Isgro, K., Barnartt, S., & Cherney, J., (Eds.) (In process). Critical approaches to researching disability: Examples and critiques.
Temple University Press
Jeffress, M. S., Cypher, J. M., Ferris, J., & Scott-Pollock, J.-A. (Eds.). (2023) The Palgrave handbook of communication and disability. Palgrave MacMillan.
Jeffress, M. S. (2022). Disability representation in film, TV and print media. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (2018). Help! I need to make a speech: A step-by-step guide to effective and ethical public speaking. Vol. 1. Self-published.
Jeffress, M. S. (Ed.) (2018, 2020). International perspectives on teaching with disability: Overcoming obstacles and enriching lives. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (Ed.) (2017, 2019). Pedagogy, disability and communication: Applying disability studies in the classroom. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (2015, 2017). Communication, sport, and disability: The case of power soccer. Routledge.
Book Chapters
Jeffress, M. S., Cypher, J. M., Ferris, J., & Scott-Pollock, J.-A. (2023). Disability Studies and Communication Studies: A Complicated Pursuit. In The Palgrave
Handbook of Disability and Communication. Palgrave MacMillan.
Jeffress, M. S. (2022). Introduction. In Disability Representation in Film, TV and Print Media. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (2018). Editor's Preface and Introduction. In International Perspectives on Teaching with Disability: Overcoming Obstacles and Enriching
Lives. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Newton, P. T., Jeffress, M.S., and Thomas, A. K. (2018). Disclosing Disability around the Water Cooler: Strategies for Boosting Collegiality in
Academe. Chapter in International Perspectives on Teaching with Disability: Overcoming Obstacles and Enriching Lives. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies
Series. Routledge.
Brown, W. J., and Jeffress, M. S. (2018). "The Impact of Having a Teacher with a Disability on Student Attitudes toward Persons with
Disabilities." Chapter in International Perspectives on Teaching with Disability: Overcoming Obstacles and Enriching Lives. Interdisciplinary Disability
Studies Series. Routledge.
Rugoho, T., & Jeffress, M. S. (2018) . My class, My disability, My struggle . Chapter in International Perspectives on Teaching with Disability:
Overcoming Obstacles and Enriching Lives. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). Editor's Preface. Chapter in Pedagogy, Disability and Communication: Applying Disability Studies in the Classroom. Interdisciplinary
Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Baldwin, P. K., and Jeffress, M. S. (2017). "Incorporating Disability Studies into the Communication Classroom through a High Impact Engagement
Nonverbal Communication Assignment" Chapter in Pedagogy, Disability and Communication: Applying Disability Studies in the Classroom. Interdisciplinary
Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Brockmann, B., & Jeffress, M. S. (2017). "Unleashing disability perspectives in the Public Speaking course." Chapter in Pedagogy, Disability and
Communication: Applying Disability Studies in the Classroom. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Journal Articles
Medley, M. B., Breaud, M. F., Jeffress, M. S., Guillot, D. J., & Rhodes, J. L. F. (2022). Postsecondary Students with Intellectual Disabilities:
A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Peer Perceptions in the Inclusion Environment. International Journal of Social Policy and Education. 4(5), 1-11.
https://www.ijspe.com/vol-4-no-5-may-2022-1.pdf
Jeffress, M. S. (2019). Disability framing in a Caribbean University newspaper. Tout Moun: The Caribbean Journal of
Cultural Studies 5(1), 1-14. https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/toutmoun/index.asp?action=issue6
Cottingham, M., Hums, M., Jeffress, M. S., Lee, D., & Richard, H. (2018). Women of Power Soccer: Exploring Disability and Gender in the
First Competitive Team Sport for Powerchair Users. Sport in Society. 21:11, 1817-1830, DOI: 10.1080/17430437.2017.1421174
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “A study of the demographics, exposure levels, and perceptions of the viewing audience of pastor Joel Osteen, America’s most
popular preacher.” Journal of Media Critiques, 3(12), 291-309.
Jeffress, M. S., & Brown, W. J. (2017). Opportunities and benefits for powerchair users through power soccer. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly 34(3), 235-55.
https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2016-0022
Jeffress, M. S., & Brown, W. J. (2017). Freedom of Choice in The Great Divorce: C. S. Lewis’s Rhetorical Vision of Afterlife. CSL: The Bulletin of the
New York C. S. Lewis Society 48(2), 1-14.
Jeffress, M. S. (2015). Uses and Effects of MySpace among Christian Teens and Young Adults. Journal of Media Critiques, 1(1), 145-66.
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
Jeffress, M. S. (2021). "Transforming Interpersonal Interactions with Disabled People." Chair of paper panel presented at the 107th Annual Convention of
the National Communication Association, Seattle, WA, Nov. 2021.
Jeffress, M. S. (2021). "Disability, Intersectionality and Communication." Chair of paper panel presented at the 107th Annual Convention of the National
Communication Association, Seattle, WA, Nov. 2021.
Jeffress, M. S. (2020). "Best Practices in Addressing Hidden Dis/Abilities: Pedagogy, Praxis and Performance in the Basic Course." Presenter of panel
sponsored by NCA Diversity Council at the 106th Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Virtual Conference, November 2020.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “Looking back, in and forward: Perspectives on the place and performance of differently-abled instructors.” Chair of paper session
presented to the Disability Issues Caucus at the 103rd Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Dallas, Texas, USA,
November 2017.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “Bridging the gap for differently-abled teachers through disclosure.” Chair of paper session presented to the
Disability Issues Caucus at the 103rd Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Dallas, Texas, USA, November 2017.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “Bridging the gap for motorized wheelchair users: Power soccer, athletic identity and communication.” Paper accepted for
presentation to the Scholar-to-Scholar Division at the 103rd Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Dallas, Texas, USA,
November 2017.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “Disability framing in a Caribbean University newspaper.” Paper presented at the 36th Annual West Indian Literature Conference, St.
Augustine, Trinidad, October 2017.
Jeffress, M. S., Breaud, M., Medley, M., & Guillot, D. (2017). “The Impact of Inclusive Classroom Experiences on the Perceptions ‘Mainstream
Students’ Have Toward People with Disabilities.” Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability
and Diversity, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, October 2017.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “‘Finally a Sport for Us!’ Participant experiences in powerchair football—The first competitive team sport for motorized wheelchair
users.” Staff Seminar, The UWI, April 7, 2017.
Jeffress, M. S., Cottingham, M., Hums M., and Lee, D. (2016). Women of Power Soccer: Exploring Disability and Gender in the First Competitive
Team Sport for Powerchair Users. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport, Tampa Bay, Florida,
November 2-5, 2016.
Jeffress, M. S. (2016) A rhetorical examination of televangelist Joel Osteen’s most popular sermon in the context of viewer opinions.” Paper presented to
the annual meeting of the Popular culture Association/American Culture Association, Seattle, WA, March 21-25, 2016.
Jeffress, M. S. (2015). Creating opportunities for interdisciplinary disability studies in communication studies curricula. Chair of paper session presented
to the National Communication Association at the 101st Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, November 19-22, 2015.
Jeffress, M. S., and Brown, W. J. (2014). "Communicating Shared Experiences in Power Soccer: Exploring the First Competitive Team Sport for Electric
Wheelchair Users. Paper presented to the National Communication Association at the 100th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, November 20-23, 2014.
Jeffress, M. S., Giguette, R., & Allen, R. A. (2014). Core meltdown: Assessing the state of the humanities in higher education. Workshop conducted
for Nicholls State University's Center for Advancing Faculty Engagement,Thibodaux, LA, March 26, 2014.
Jeffress, M. S., and Fraser, B. S. (2013). Fred B. Craddock’s contribution to preaching: The revolution of the inductive method. Paper presented to
the National Communication Association at the 99th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., November 21-24, 2013.
Jeffress, M. S. (2013). “Finally a sport for us!” Participant experiences in power soccer—the first competitive team sport for electric wheelchair users.
Paper presented to the Louisiana Academy of Sciences at the 87th Annual Meeting. Grambling, LA, March 9, 2013.
Jeffress, M. S. (2011). Empowered by power soccer: Improving the health and quality of life of electric wheelchair users through involvement in a
competitive team sport. Paper presented the Disability Section of the American Public Health Association at the 139th Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C.,
October 29-November 2, 2011.
Jeffress, M. S., and Clark, F. (2011). Effective use of classroom technology as communication tool in lecture. Presentation made at Nicholls State
University’s Faculty Institute, Thibodaux, LA, August 11, 2011.
Jeffress, M. S. (2008). Empowered by power soccer: Experiences of youth and young adults in the first sport for power wheelchair users. Paper presented
to the Ethnography Division of the National Communication Association at the 94th Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, November 21-24, 2008.
Jeffress, M. S. (2008). A study of the demographics, exposure levels, and perceptions of Pastor Joel Osteen's viewing audience. Paper presented to the
Religious Communication Association Conference at the 94th Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association. San Diego, CA, November 21-
24, 2008.
Jeffress, M. S. (2008). Uses and effects of MySpace among Christian teens and young adults. Paper presented to the Student Section of the National
Communication Association at the 94th Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, November 21-24, 2008.
Jeffress, M. S. (2008). The role of multimedia tools in preaching according to recent homiletics texts: Toward a healthy theology of preaching with
multimedia tools. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Homiletics Society in Birmingham, AL, October 16-18, 2008.
HONORS
Certificate in University Teaching and Learning
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad May '18
Doctor of Philosophy (Communication Studies)
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA, May '13
Master of Divinity
B.M.A. Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, TX May '03
Master of Arts
Harding School of Theology, Memphis, TN May '03
Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Ministry
Harding University, Searcy, AR Dec '95
ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE
FULL-TIME
Medical University of the Americas, Nevis, West Indies
Professor & School Counselor
May '22 - Present
- Provide enhanced academic advising (e.g., coaching on time management, stress management, test anxiety, study habits, etc.)
- Provide wellness coaching
- Organize wellness activities
- Teach workshops on study skills and wellness topics
- Mentor students on research projects
- Community Engagement Task Force (co-chair)
- Research Day Committee
Department of Communications
Associate Professor of Communication Studies
Aug '19 - May '22
- Taught classes in Comm. Studies (Crisis Comm., Leadership Comm., Research Methods, Public Speaking)
- Conducted and published research
- Advised and mentored students
Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies
Lecturer in Communication Studies
Jan '17 - July '19
- Undergraduate Program Coordinator
- Postgraduate and Faculty Seminar Coordinator
- Taught courses in Comm. Studies (Public Speaking, Interpersonal Comm., Corporate/Organizational Comm., Group Comm., Research Methods)
- Supervised graduate students
- Managed teaching assistants
- Conducted and published research
- College Academic Advising Committee
- New Faculty Welcoming Committee
Department of Mass Communication
Assistant Professor Aug '10 - Dec '16
Adjunct Online Instructor Jan '17 - May '17
- Taught courses in Comm. Studies (Public Speaking, Interpersonal Comm., Persuasive Comm., Comm. and Technology)
- Advised and mentored students
- Greek service club advisor for Office of Disability Services
- Served on numerous committees (Faculty Senate, President's Cabinet, University Council, Committee on Committees, Faculty Welfare, Distance Learning, Student Media, Committee on Transgender & Identity
- Elected Faculty Senate President
- Taught in program for students with developmental disabilities
- Volunteered with theater program
- Volunteered with debate program
- Conducted and published research
Books
Jeffress, M.S. (Ed.) (In process). Disability representation in the media. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S., Brown, W. J., Isgro, K., Barnartt, S., & Cherney, J., (Eds.) (In process). Critical approaches to researching disability: Examples and critiques.
Temple University Press
Jeffress, M. S., Cypher, J. M., Ferris, J., & Scott-Pollock, J.-A. (Eds.). (2023) The Palgrave handbook of communication and disability. Palgrave MacMillan.
Jeffress, M. S. (2022). Disability representation in film, TV and print media. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (2018). Help! I need to make a speech: A step-by-step guide to effective and ethical public speaking. Vol. 1. Self-published.
Jeffress, M. S. (Ed.) (2018, 2020). International perspectives on teaching with disability: Overcoming obstacles and enriching lives. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (Ed.) (2017, 2019). Pedagogy, disability and communication: Applying disability studies in the classroom. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (2015, 2017). Communication, sport, and disability: The case of power soccer. Routledge.
Book Chapters
Jeffress, M. S., Cypher, J. M., Ferris, J., & Scott-Pollock, J.-A. (2023). Disability Studies and Communication Studies: A Complicated Pursuit. In The Palgrave
Handbook of Disability and Communication. Palgrave MacMillan.
Jeffress, M. S. (2022). Introduction. In Disability Representation in Film, TV and Print Media. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (2018). Editor's Preface and Introduction. In International Perspectives on Teaching with Disability: Overcoming Obstacles and Enriching
Lives. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Newton, P. T., Jeffress, M.S., and Thomas, A. K. (2018). Disclosing Disability around the Water Cooler: Strategies for Boosting Collegiality in
Academe. Chapter in International Perspectives on Teaching with Disability: Overcoming Obstacles and Enriching Lives. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies
Series. Routledge.
Brown, W. J., and Jeffress, M. S. (2018). "The Impact of Having a Teacher with a Disability on Student Attitudes toward Persons with
Disabilities." Chapter in International Perspectives on Teaching with Disability: Overcoming Obstacles and Enriching Lives. Interdisciplinary Disability
Studies Series. Routledge.
Rugoho, T., & Jeffress, M. S. (2018) . My class, My disability, My struggle . Chapter in International Perspectives on Teaching with Disability:
Overcoming Obstacles and Enriching Lives. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). Editor's Preface. Chapter in Pedagogy, Disability and Communication: Applying Disability Studies in the Classroom. Interdisciplinary
Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Baldwin, P. K., and Jeffress, M. S. (2017). "Incorporating Disability Studies into the Communication Classroom through a High Impact Engagement
Nonverbal Communication Assignment" Chapter in Pedagogy, Disability and Communication: Applying Disability Studies in the Classroom. Interdisciplinary
Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Brockmann, B., & Jeffress, M. S. (2017). "Unleashing disability perspectives in the Public Speaking course." Chapter in Pedagogy, Disability and
Communication: Applying Disability Studies in the Classroom. Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Series. Routledge.
Journal Articles
Medley, M. B., Breaud, M. F., Jeffress, M. S., Guillot, D. J., & Rhodes, J. L. F. (2022). Postsecondary Students with Intellectual Disabilities:
A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Peer Perceptions in the Inclusion Environment. International Journal of Social Policy and Education. 4(5), 1-11.
https://www.ijspe.com/vol-4-no-5-may-2022-1.pdf
Jeffress, M. S. (2019). Disability framing in a Caribbean University newspaper. Tout Moun: The Caribbean Journal of
Cultural Studies 5(1), 1-14. https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/toutmoun/index.asp?action=issue6
Cottingham, M., Hums, M., Jeffress, M. S., Lee, D., & Richard, H. (2018). Women of Power Soccer: Exploring Disability and Gender in the
First Competitive Team Sport for Powerchair Users. Sport in Society. 21:11, 1817-1830, DOI: 10.1080/17430437.2017.1421174
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “A study of the demographics, exposure levels, and perceptions of the viewing audience of pastor Joel Osteen, America’s most
popular preacher.” Journal of Media Critiques, 3(12), 291-309.
Jeffress, M. S., & Brown, W. J. (2017). Opportunities and benefits for powerchair users through power soccer. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly 34(3), 235-55.
https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2016-0022
Jeffress, M. S., & Brown, W. J. (2017). Freedom of Choice in The Great Divorce: C. S. Lewis’s Rhetorical Vision of Afterlife. CSL: The Bulletin of the
New York C. S. Lewis Society 48(2), 1-14.
Jeffress, M. S. (2015). Uses and Effects of MySpace among Christian Teens and Young Adults. Journal of Media Critiques, 1(1), 145-66.
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
Jeffress, M. S. (2021). "Transforming Interpersonal Interactions with Disabled People." Chair of paper panel presented at the 107th Annual Convention of
the National Communication Association, Seattle, WA, Nov. 2021.
Jeffress, M. S. (2021). "Disability, Intersectionality and Communication." Chair of paper panel presented at the 107th Annual Convention of the National
Communication Association, Seattle, WA, Nov. 2021.
Jeffress, M. S. (2020). "Best Practices in Addressing Hidden Dis/Abilities: Pedagogy, Praxis and Performance in the Basic Course." Presenter of panel
sponsored by NCA Diversity Council at the 106th Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Virtual Conference, November 2020.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “Looking back, in and forward: Perspectives on the place and performance of differently-abled instructors.” Chair of paper session
presented to the Disability Issues Caucus at the 103rd Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Dallas, Texas, USA,
November 2017.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “Bridging the gap for differently-abled teachers through disclosure.” Chair of paper session presented to the
Disability Issues Caucus at the 103rd Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Dallas, Texas, USA, November 2017.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “Bridging the gap for motorized wheelchair users: Power soccer, athletic identity and communication.” Paper accepted for
presentation to the Scholar-to-Scholar Division at the 103rd Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Dallas, Texas, USA,
November 2017.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “Disability framing in a Caribbean University newspaper.” Paper presented at the 36th Annual West Indian Literature Conference, St.
Augustine, Trinidad, October 2017.
Jeffress, M. S., Breaud, M., Medley, M., & Guillot, D. (2017). “The Impact of Inclusive Classroom Experiences on the Perceptions ‘Mainstream
Students’ Have Toward People with Disabilities.” Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability
and Diversity, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, October 2017.
Jeffress, M. S. (2017). “‘Finally a Sport for Us!’ Participant experiences in powerchair football—The first competitive team sport for motorized wheelchair
users.” Staff Seminar, The UWI, April 7, 2017.
Jeffress, M. S., Cottingham, M., Hums M., and Lee, D. (2016). Women of Power Soccer: Exploring Disability and Gender in the First Competitive
Team Sport for Powerchair Users. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport, Tampa Bay, Florida,
November 2-5, 2016.
Jeffress, M. S. (2016) A rhetorical examination of televangelist Joel Osteen’s most popular sermon in the context of viewer opinions.” Paper presented to
the annual meeting of the Popular culture Association/American Culture Association, Seattle, WA, March 21-25, 2016.
Jeffress, M. S. (2015). Creating opportunities for interdisciplinary disability studies in communication studies curricula. Chair of paper session presented
to the National Communication Association at the 101st Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, November 19-22, 2015.
Jeffress, M. S., and Brown, W. J. (2014). "Communicating Shared Experiences in Power Soccer: Exploring the First Competitive Team Sport for Electric
Wheelchair Users. Paper presented to the National Communication Association at the 100th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, November 20-23, 2014.
Jeffress, M. S., Giguette, R., & Allen, R. A. (2014). Core meltdown: Assessing the state of the humanities in higher education. Workshop conducted
for Nicholls State University's Center for Advancing Faculty Engagement,Thibodaux, LA, March 26, 2014.
Jeffress, M. S., and Fraser, B. S. (2013). Fred B. Craddock’s contribution to preaching: The revolution of the inductive method. Paper presented to
the National Communication Association at the 99th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., November 21-24, 2013.
Jeffress, M. S. (2013). “Finally a sport for us!” Participant experiences in power soccer—the first competitive team sport for electric wheelchair users.
Paper presented to the Louisiana Academy of Sciences at the 87th Annual Meeting. Grambling, LA, March 9, 2013.
Jeffress, M. S. (2011). Empowered by power soccer: Improving the health and quality of life of electric wheelchair users through involvement in a
competitive team sport. Paper presented the Disability Section of the American Public Health Association at the 139th Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C.,
October 29-November 2, 2011.
Jeffress, M. S., and Clark, F. (2011). Effective use of classroom technology as communication tool in lecture. Presentation made at Nicholls State
University’s Faculty Institute, Thibodaux, LA, August 11, 2011.
Jeffress, M. S. (2008). Empowered by power soccer: Experiences of youth and young adults in the first sport for power wheelchair users. Paper presented
to the Ethnography Division of the National Communication Association at the 94th Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, November 21-24, 2008.
Jeffress, M. S. (2008). A study of the demographics, exposure levels, and perceptions of Pastor Joel Osteen's viewing audience. Paper presented to the
Religious Communication Association Conference at the 94th Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association. San Diego, CA, November 21-
24, 2008.
Jeffress, M. S. (2008). Uses and effects of MySpace among Christian teens and young adults. Paper presented to the Student Section of the National
Communication Association at the 94th Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, November 21-24, 2008.
Jeffress, M. S. (2008). The role of multimedia tools in preaching according to recent homiletics texts: Toward a healthy theology of preaching with
multimedia tools. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Homiletics Society in Birmingham, AL, October 16-18, 2008.
HONORS
- Commencement speaker, Harding University, 1994
- Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, Harding University, 1995
- MDA Goodwill Ambassador Family, 1999-2005
- M.A. Academic Award, Harding School of Theology, 2003
- IPPY Book of the Year Award Semi-Finalist, 2005
- Top 4 Graduate Student Paper, National Communication Association, 2008
- Top Paper Award, Disability Issues Caucus, National Communication Association, 2014
- Nominated and elected Faculty Senate President, Nicholls State University, 2016
- Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society Honorary Inductee, 2016
- Editor of book chapter selected Top Book Chapter Award, Ethnography Division, National Communication Association, 2018
