Amber Messersmith

Dr. Amber Messersmith serves as Executive Director of the Center for Executive and Professional Development and Lecturer of Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Business. Since joining in Fall 2015, she teaches MNGT 411 Leading People and Projects (an experiential philanthropy course awarding $10,000 to local nonprofits) and BSAD 220 Business Writing, focusing on practical business communication skills.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies, University of Kansas
• M.A. in Communication Studies, University of Kansas
• B.S. in Organizational Communication, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Her research centers on organizational communication dynamics, with significant contributions to understanding workplace apology effectiveness, organizational culture metaphors, and family communication patterns. She bridges theory and practice through experiential learning models, particularly in business education contexts where communication serves as both subject and professional tool.

Publications spanning 2008-2018 reveal consistent exploration of communication's role in organizational stability (gyroscope metaphor), conflict resolution, and professional identity formation, with notable appearances in Communication Teacher and Business Communication Quarterly.

Her awards include:

• Faculty Initiate, Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity (Fall 2018)
• UNL Center for Civic Engagement Spirit of Service Award (Spring 2018)
• Dean's Coin (2016, 2017)

Through the Strive course, she mentors undergraduates in nonprofit grant management while directing executive education initiatives via the Center for Executive and Professional Development. Her CliftonStrengths® profile (Harmony, Positivity, Developer, Woo, Communication) informs her collaborative leadership approach in academic and community settings.