Michelle Widger

Michelle Widger is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), affiliated with the Department of Communication Disorders. With over 30 years of professional experience in marketing, public relations, and design, she specializes in leveraging creativity to solve communication challenges. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes lifelong learning through innovative storytelling, design concepts, and customer-focused branding techniques.

Education: Graduated in 1990 from Kearney State College (now UNK) with a degree in Communication. Professional Experience: Previously served as Assistant Director of Communications for UNK Alumni, where she observed the success of Communication Department graduates in diverse fields.

Research/Teaching Focus: Integrates AI, design principles, and social media strategies into curricula. Courses taught include Mass Media & Society, Advertising Copywriting, and Public Relations. Advocates for holistic messaging and teamwork, while emphasizing servant leadership in student mentorship.

Advising/Grants: No specific grants or student advisement listed. Labs/Teams: No affiliated labs mentioned. Her work emphasizes practical industry experience over traditional research output.