Joshua Westwick

Dr. Joshua Westwick serves as Director of the School of Communication and Journalism at South Dakota State University (SDSU), overseeing academic and administrative operations. Previously, he held roles as Associate Director and Director of the Introductory Communication Course. He actively teaches undergraduate and graduate courses while maintaining a robust research agenda focused on improving communication education through innovative pedagogy and student development.

Education:

• Ed.D. in Adult and Higher Education Administration (University of South Dakota, 2012)
• M.S. in Communication Studies (SDSU, 2003)
• B.S. in Communication Studies and Theatre (SDSU, 2001)

Research Interests: Centered on enhancing communication education, including public speaking pedagogy, online learning strategies, and mitigating communication anxiety. His work emphasizes practical applications to improve student outcomes and classroom experiences.

Professional Contributions: A prolific scholar with over 20 publications in journals like Communication Education and Journal on Excellence in College Teaching. His grants include initiatives on accommodations in introductory courses and STEM curriculum innovation. He holds leadership roles in organizations such as the National Communication Association and the Association for Communication Administration.

Awards: Notable recognitions include the Don Yoder Distinguished Faculty Award (2020), Edward Patrick Hogan Award for Teaching Excellence (2019), and multiple accolades for experiential learning and honors education.

Advising and Grants: As Principal Investigator on grants totaling over $15,000, he leads projects addressing instructional challenges. His administrative role ensures alignment between research, teaching, and institutional goals in communication education.

Labs/Teams: Directs the School of Communication & Journalism, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in communication studies.