Mary D. Best
Department of Communication, Christopher Newport University 1 Avenue of the Arts , Newport News, VA 23606
http://cnu.edu/communication/profiles/best/ 757-594-8769 (office)
[email protected] EDUCATION
M.A. Communication Arts, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ § Graduate Teaching Assistantship awarded
B.A. Speech Communication, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA CERTIFICATIONS
o General District Court Mediation, Commonwealth of Virginia Supreme Court
o Sexual Harassment Awareness, Workforce Development Center, Hampton, VA
o Notary Public, Commonwealth of Virginia
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
1997-present Instructor, Department of Communication, Christopher Newport University § Internship Director, 2011-present
§ nominated for CNU Faculty Member of the Year, 2002-03 1982-99 Adjunct Professor/Adjunct Instructor
§ Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA § Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, VA § Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fort Eustis, VA § St. Leo University, Fort Eustis, VA
§ Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA § William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
§ East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA
1980-82 Head of Mass Communication and Program Instructor, Associate Degree Program Pennsylvania State University, Wilkes-Barre [campus], PA
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES TAUGHT [CNU] Practicum in Communication (COMM 491)
Business and Professional Communication (COMM 310) – Service Learning Curriculum Nonverbal Communication (COMM 301)
Media History (COMM 221)
Interpersonal Communication (COMM 211) Public Speaking (COMM 201)
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
1989-90 Placement Office Specialist, Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA
Counseled students and alumni on career outlooks, recruitment, resume writing, interviewing skills, and placement files. Oversaw mentoring program. Edited Employment Line, Placement Office Newsletter. 1980-82 Head of Mass Communication, Associate Degree Program, Pennsylvania State University,
Wilkes-Barre [campus], PA
Oversaw development of Mass Communication program for this 2-year branch campus. Representation at University Park, PA [PSU main campus]. Academic Advising. Budget considerations. Assessment. Liaison with local broadcast facilities.
§ General Manager, WPSU campus radio
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (2002-present)
Faculty Summer Institute, 2013 & 2014, Center for Learning & Teaching, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA Video Techniques (ART 208), 2011, Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, VA
Computer Graphics (ART 283), 2011, Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, VA Cascade web development training seminars [four], 2010, Christopher Newport University
VA Supreme Court General Certification Mediation Training, 2009, Community Mediation Center, Norfolk, VA § Virginia Judicial Systems
§ Conflict Resolution & Mediation Skills
§ Co-Mediations, Commonwealth of Virginia General District Courts
Service Learning and Civic Engagement in Hampton Roads: A higher education and community partnership, 2008, Virginia Tidewater Consortium, Norfolk, VA
Elementary Spanish II (SPAN 102), 2007, Christopher Newport University
Judicial Hearing Panel Standards, Training Seminars, 2006-present, CNU Center for Honor Enrichment and Community Standards
Forum on Education for the Next Generation, Pedagogical Development,2006, Christopher Newport University Women’s Studies and Scholarship, 2005; Pedagogy Exchange, 2004, Tidewater Virginia Women’s Studies Group, Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk, VA
Motivating Students to Learn, 2005, CNU Professional Development Workshop
Partners Plus - Child Development Resource, 2002, Workshop for Respite Care, Newport News, VA SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES (2002-present)
Digital Film Productions:
o Best, M. (2011). Department of Communication, CNU, Commercial
o Best, M. (2011). The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Public Service Announcement
o Best, M. (2011). Michael Honig/Artist Profile, Biographical Sketch
o Best, M. (2011). Wonderful World, Music Video
o Best, M. (2005). Portraits of Sacrifice, Commemorative Tribute
o Best, M. (2005). Crying, Music Video
Conference Presentations:
Contaminating the Body of the Humanities; The Humanities as Bodily Contaminant, Panel Member, 2014 Virginia Humanities Conference, Longwood University, VA
The 2012 Presidential Debates: Classroom and Community Considerations of Communication, Choices, and Consequences, Panel Member, 2013 Southern States Communication Association 83rd Meeting, Louisville, KY Best Practices in Civic Engagement, Panel Chair, 2013 Virginia Humanities Conference, Newport News, VA
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Public Service Announcement [curated video], 2013 Hampton Roads Digital Arts Film Festival, Hamp ton, VA
Professional Recruitment: Developing the winning edge, 2010 Youth Career Expo, Peninsula Council for Workforce Development, Hampton, VA
Corporate Engagement: A Service Learning Proposal They C an’t Refuse, 2007 Virginia Humanities Conference, Newport News, VA
Portraits of Sacrifice, Commemorative Tribute [video], 2006 Hampton Roads Digital Arts Film Festival, competitive professional review, Hampton, VA
Incorporating Classroom Ethics for the Blind or Visually Impaired College Student, 2006 Virginia Humanities Conference, Fredericksburg, VA
Crying, Music Video [digital film], 2005 Hampton Roads Digital Arts Film Festival, competitive professional review, Hampton, VA
Communication within the Curriculum, 2005 Faculty Conference on Teaching, Scholarship, Research and Learning, Newport News, VA
Vision 2010: Implementing a Seminar Course, 2005 Virginia Humanities Conference, Ferrum, VA
Overcoming Speech Anxiety, Christopher Newport University’s 2002 Volunteer Conference: A Professional Time -Out Eliminating Public Speaking Boundaries for the Physically Challenged College Student, 2002 Virginia Humanities Conference, Newport News, VA
Do They HAVE to Stare at Me? Christopher Newport University’s 2002 High School Student Conference Exploring Provocative Questions: Thinking in a collegiate atmosphere
Mission Accomplished! Team-Building Techniques, 2002 New Horizons Technology Convention, Virginia Community College System, Williamsburg, VA
Forensics/Digital Arts:
Film Festival, Judge, 2013, Christopher Newport University Film Club History of Rhetoric, Judge, 2004, CNU Student Undergraduate Poster Session
Performance Based Event, Judge, 2004, Future Business Leaders Association (FBLA) Spring Conference, Hampton, VA Dramatic Interpretation; Extemporaneous Speaking; Children’s Storytelling, Judge, 2002, Peninsula District Forensics Tournament, Hampton, VA
Editorial Contributions:
Webmaster, Department of Communication, Christopher Newport University, 2005-present § Re-designed, developed, implemented new web pages in Cascade online system § On-going editing and development of web pages; research; photography Textbook Editorial Reviews
§ O’Hair, Stewart & Rubenstein, A Speaker’s Guidebook, 5th ed., 2012, Bedford/St. Martin’s
§ Robinson, Andrew, “The Origins of Writing,” Communication in History: Technology, Culture, Society, 5th ed. 2010, Pearson
§ Beebe, Steven A., and Beebe, Susan J., Public Speaking Handbook , 3rd ed., 2010, Pearson § Nelson, Titsworth, and Pearson, iSpeak, oral presentation text , 2008, McGraw-Hill § Griffin, Cindy, Invitation to Public Speaking – Handbook, 2007, Wadsworth
Connections, Department of Communication Alumni Newsletter, Christopher Newport University Editor/Graphic Designer/Photographer
Contributing Writer, Viewpoint Column , The Oyster Pointer, Newport News, VA § Hear Ye – Revisited, Jan/Feb 2006
§ Etiquette is for Everyone, Mar/Apr 2003
How to NOT Impress Your College Professor, Fresh Perspective Column, The Captain’s Log, Sept 2004 Graphic Designer/Editor/Photographer
§ Promotional Brochures and Flyers for Department of Communication § Presentation Board & Banners for Academic Showcases
GRANTS AWARDED
Center for Community Engagement, 2014, Sponsorship of CNU student, Ferguson Fellowships for Social Entrepreneurs College of Social Sciences, Dean’s Office Professional Development, 2011, Video Techniques (ART 208) digital arts class Faculty Development, 2004, Sexual Harassment Awareness Certification
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
§ Southern States Communication Association
§ Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences § Virginia Community College Association
SERVICE (2002-present) Professional:
Ferguson Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs, 2013-1014, Sponsored/Mentored Shannon Jenkins, Communication major, for competitive civic engagement initiative with Habitat for Humanity
Professional Public Presentations, Comprehensive Course Developer, 2011, Newport News Police Department Swimming Against the Workforce Tide, Invited Speaker/Program Facilitator, 2010 Hampton Roads Youth Career Expo, Hampton, VA
Professional Interviewer, Youth Career Expo and Conference, 2009-present, Peninsula Council for Workforce Development, Hampton, VA
General District Court Conflict Mediation, Commonwealth of Virginia, 2009-2011 § Office of Employment Dispute Resolution pro-bono mediator
Recruitment of Community Partners for civic engagement, 2009-2010
§ Workforce Development Council; Peninsula SPCA; Ferguson Center for the Arts
Youth Leadership Alliance, 2009, Program Committee Member, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Hampton, VA Developmental Specialist, Youth Career Café, Peninsula Council for Workforce Development
§ The Road to Self-Esteem, Presenter, 2009, Hampton, VA § Believing is Achieving!, Presenter, 2008, Newport News, VA
Territoriality: Impact of personal space on human communication, 2008,Invited Speaker, Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News, VA
Proofreading and Editing with Style, 2006, Developmental Editor for two-day civilian military seminar course, J&K Associates Consulting, Dayton, OH
CNU Online Faculty Experts: professional public presentations, overcoming speech anxiety, business and dining etiquette, sexual harassment awaren ess, 2003-present
Instructor Re-certification, Consultant, 2002-03, Hampton Roads Criminal Justice Training Academy , Newport News, VA General Instructor School, Consultant, 2002-03, Hampton Roads Criminal Justice Training Academy , Newport News, VA Media-Focused Communication Skills, course proposal, 2002, Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), Norfolk, VA
University:
Perceptual Blindness, Invited Guest Speaker, Human Resources Office, Staff Recruitment, 2012-2014
Nonverbal Communication: Matching Hypothesis, Invited Guest Speaker, A d mitted Freshman Day, 2011 & 2012 President’s Leadership Program Presentations
§ Identifying Your Conflict Modes, 2009
§ Optimism/Pessimism Developmental Workshop, 2008 § Leadership and Communicating Power, 2007
§ Ethical Conflict Resolution, 2006 § Dine and Dazzle, 2005
§ Sexual Harassment Awareness, 2005 § Networking Knowledgeably, 2004 § Leadership and Self-Esteem,2004 § Etiquette for Leaders, 2003 Panhellenic Programs
§ Recruitment Communication Strategies, Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, 2007
§ Communication Skills: Guidelines for Empathetic Listening, Panhellenic Counselors, 2006 § Corporate & Formal Dinner Etiquette Seminar, Phi Epsilon Fraternity, 2004
Committees
§ Public Speaking Curriculum, Chair, Communication Dept, 2011-present § Public Relations Committee, Chair, Communication Dept, 2010-present § Service and Civic Engagement Development, Phoenix Project, 2007-08 Sub-Committee Head, Faith-Based Organizations
§ Center for Honor Enrichment and Community Standards, Judicial Hearing Panel, 2006-2012 § New Media Digital Culture, Interdisciplinary minor, 2006-07
§ Department of Communication Faculty Search Committees, 2003-10 § Faculty/Staff Campaign, Co-Chair, 2003-04
Faculty Advisor/Student Organizations, 2005 -2008 § Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority
§ WCNU campus radio
Information Technology/Department of Communication Liaison
Compile Databank: CNU Communication Alumni – post-graduate career, education, family Academic Advisor and Internship Mentor
Community:
Public Relations Representative/Auxiliary Member § Peninsula SPCA
§ Ferguson Center for the Arts, CNU § Peninsula Rescue Mission
Presentations
§ Oral Interpreter Programs: Discovery Center, Indoor Aviary, Special Events, Virginia Living Museum § Coping with OCD in Teenagers, Peninsula Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation, Hampton, VA § Volunteer/Public Relations, American Red Cross, Hampton VA
