C. Leigh Nelson

Dr. C. Leigh Nelson is a Professor in the School of Communication Studies at James Madison University, where she has been since 2001. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Purdue University, an M.A. in Communication Studies from Washington State University, and a B.S. in Business-Marketing from the same institution. Her research focuses on family communication patterns, media effects, interpersonal dynamics, and pedagogical innovation. She explores intersections with time perception, alcohol use, and digital media impacts, publishing in journals like Journal of Family Communication and Communication Teacher.

Dr. Nelson teaches courses in interpersonal communication, research methods, public speaking, and business communication. Her work emphasizes improving communication education through technology integration, such as Twitter’s role in classrooms, and addressing mental health stigma among college students. She investigates how family communication influences religious orientation, privacy behaviors on platforms like Facebook, and the implications of social media for conflict management.

Her articles highlight trends in digital communication’s societal impacts, mental health communication, and educational technology adoption. She consistently bridges theoretical concepts like Expectancy Violation Theory with modern contexts, advancing understanding of interpersonal interactions in both traditional and digital spaces.

Labs/Teams: Her research often involves interdisciplinary collaborations within the School of Communication Studies, focusing on family communication, media effects, and pedagogical strategies. She advises students on topics ranging from conflict management to digital media’s role in social relationships.