Dr. Lisa Raser joined the faculty at PLNU in 2016 after teaching at Humboldt State University. She brings experience teaching a wide variety of courses, including organizational communication, gender and communication, interpersonal communication, and a special topics course she designed entitled peace building and conflict resolution. Her particular interests focus on nonviolent communication and the communication of empathy, topics she loves to share with her students. An ethic of care is at the center or her teaching philosophy and also informs her research. For her dissertation research, Raser conducted an analysis of student letters to study the communication of care between students and teachers in university classrooms. She is a "life-long" communication major and enjoys learning about how to create and facilitate meaningful relationships alongside her students.
Education
- Ph.D., Speech Communication, Southern Illinois University
- M.A., Communication Studies, San Diego State University
- B.A., Communication Studies, Westmont College
Courses Taught
- Principles of Human Communication – COM 1000
- Interpersonal Communication – COM 1090
- Small Group Communication – COM 2020
- Nonverbal Communication – COM 3010
- Gender and Communication – COM 3012
- Persuasion – COM 3030
Experience in Field
- Areas of Emphasis: Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Resolution, Gender, Communication Pedagogy, Ethnography, Rhetorical Criticism
- Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego, CA), Assistant Professor, 2016 – present
- Humboldt State University (Arcata, CA), Lecturer, 2013 – 2016
- Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL), Graduate Teaching Assistant, 2009 – 2013
Professional and Community Involvement
- Small Group Leader and Vision/Leadership Team Member, Catalyst Church, 2013 – 2016
- Advisor for the Zumba Club, Humboldt State University, 2015 – 2016
- Faculty Learning Community Participant for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, 2014
- Facilitator of the Speech Communication Department’s Speaker’s Center, Southern Illinois University, 2011 – 2013
- Speaker’s Forum Committee, Southern Illinois University, 2009 – 2013
- Graduate Student Teaching Mentor, Southern Illinois University, 2010 and 2012
- Communication Instructor of Nonviolent Communication, Shakti Rising, 2006 – 2009
Awards and Honors
- The Thomas J. Pace Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching in the Department of Speech Communication at Southern Illinois University, 2013
- Tournament of Expressions Speech and Debate Champion, Westmont College, 2004
- Lambda Pi Eta, National Communication Honors Society, 2004
Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications
- Dissertation: Epistolary Pedagogy: Communicating Care in the University Classroom, 2013
- Thesis: Until She Rises: Exploring Alchemical Narratives in a Women's Recovery/Empowerment Community, 2006
- Souza, T., Vizenor, N., Sherlip, D., & Raser, L. (in press) “Transforming conflict in the classroom: Best practices for facilitating difficult dialogues and creating an inclusive communication climate.” In P. M. Kellett & T. G. Matyok (Eds.), Transforming conflict through communication: Personal to working relationships.
- Raser, L.J. Negotiating Dual Organizational Identities as a Photographer/Academic. National Communication Association conference, Philadelphia, PA.; 2016
- Raser, L.J. Transforming criticism to empathy with a little help from my friends. National Communication Association conference, Las Vegas NV; 2015
- Raser, L.J. & Reitzel, A. Senior and junior faculty members share perspectives on teaching, balance, and mentorship at the small college and university level. National Communication Association conference, Chicago, IL; 2014
- Raser, L.J. A communication tool kit for facilitating difficult dialogues. Poster presentation for the Institute of Student Success, Arcata, CA; 2015
