Laura Watkins, M.A.

Watkins began teaching at the collegiate level in 1999 and has enjoyed instructing a variety of topics ranging from speech to Spanish to spreadsheets. Within the Media Arts Department, Watkins teaches Communication Theory, Research Methods, Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Mass Media & Society, and other courses.

Watkins’ research interests include topics within interpersonal, nonverbal, and cross-cultural communication. Her most recent research examines technology’s impact on human communication and relationships, specifically the effect of mobile phones’ presence on mealtime conversation and subsequently relationship depth, and also the effects of listening to podcasts at a sped-up rate on student focus in the college classroom.

She has spoken on topics relating to public speaking, parenting adolescents, transitioning from homeschooling to college, leadership, and personal finance.

Laura Watkins received her B.A. and M.A. in Communication from Bethel University where she conducted research on nonverbal communication factors of compliance gaining.

Laura is married to Jonathan and has five children who are leaving home far too quickly. She enjoys travel, photography, outdoor adventures of all sorts, and learning through reading and experience.