Sarah Riforgiate

Sarah Riforgiate is a Professor of Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), specializing in organizational and interpersonal communication dynamics. Her research focuses on work-life balance, emotional labor, conflict negotiation, and leadership communication. She holds a PhD in Communication Studies from Arizona State University, alongside MA and BA degrees from the same and the University of Illinois.

• Education:
  • PhD, Communication Studies, Arizona State University
  • MA, Communication Studies, Arizona State University
  • BA, Speech Communication, University of Illinois

Her research explores how communication intersects with organizational policies and private life, aiming to improve workplace interactions. Key themes include managing emotions in organizations, virtual support group dynamics, and pandemic-era remote work challenges. She has published extensively in journals like Management Communication Quarterly and Sustainability, with a focus on actionable solutions for work-life conflicts and employee well-being.

Recent publications highlight trends in remote work communication technologies, leadership's role in optimizing employee flow, and the emotional labor impacts on health. She has contributed to textbooks such as the Handbook on Language and Emotion and COVID and Higher Education.

Riforgiate teaches courses on conflict communication, leadership, and organizational studies, emphasizing practical pedagogy. Her work integrates qualitative research methods to address understudied groups' communication needs, including nonprofit workers and LGBTQ+ leadership.