Leighanne M. Heisel

Leighanne M. Heisel is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where she has taught since 2001. She specializes in practical, applicable instruction and has developed courses using Open Educational Resources (OER) to reduce student costs.

Her educational background includes:

• BS in Communication from West Liberty State College
• BA in Education with a specialization in English from West Liberty State College
• MA in Communication from West Virginia University (1998)
• 30 hours of post-graduate work in specialized content areas

Her research and teaching interests focus on communication with individuals of different abilities, instructional communication, organizational leadership, and training and development. She teaches courses such as Communication in Organizations (2231), Communication Barriers (3520/21), Communication and Advocacy (3353), and Business Communication (2232), often incorporating service-learning initiatives.

Leigh co-advises the Able-Disable Partnership and contributes to institutional service through roles on the CoA&S Council on Inclusivity, A&OER Committee, First Year Experience, and other university committees. She has completed professional development training in inclusivity and is currently pursuing ACUE certification in Effective Online Teaching Practices.