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Heather Donofrio

Liberal arts professor

Education

  • Ph.D., communication theory & research, Florida State University
  • M.A., communication arts, University of West Florida
  • B.S.B.A., marketing, University of West Florida

Credentials

  • Professor of liberal arts, August 2021–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
  • Certified federal resume writer and career coach, April 2019–July 2021, The Resume Place
    Constructed federal resumes for current and potential government employees. Analyzed government job announcements and client backgrounds to ensure good job fit. Assessed veteran status for hiring purposes. Helped clients prepare for jobs in federal service.
  • Trainer, March 2019–July 2021, SkillPath Seminars
    Trained corporate and government employees in subjects such as business writing, grammar, and tactful/professional communication. Augmented standard materials for maximum impact and tailored activities to the audience. Engaged participants for maximum learning impact. Evaluated training effectiveness through surveys and short interviews.
  • Quality Enhancement Plan liaison, January 2016–August 2018, University of West Florida
    Coordinated QEP: Communication for Professional Success activities for the College of Business. Managed task forces that determined the courses in which written and oral communication skills will be taught, practiced and assessed. Assessed oral and written communication skills in multiple courses. Led cross-departmental committees in policy proposals. Prepared learning modules to meet course objectives. Presented findings and research to all levels of leadership. Collaborated with other instructors to plan and co-teach courses. Constructed virtual and face-to-face lessons.
  • Alabama/Northwest Florida mission center president, October 2010–August 2015, Community of Christ
    Oversaw administrative and pastoral issues for 17 congregations in Alabama and Florida. Directed financial officer and missionary coordinator duties. Negotiated conflicts. Served as liaison between International Church, local congregations, and 25 employees and volunteers. Developed strategies and plans to implement senior leadership objectives in local congregations.
  • Faculty associate, College of Business, August 2005–August 2018
    Taught multiple graduate and undergraduate courses.

    Coordinator of university assessments, November 2001–June 2002
    Developed and administered surveys for student satisfaction and educational outcome assessment. Analyzed results. Performed statistical procedures. Published and presented appropriate reports. Provided customer support and customized reports to university departments.

    Adjunct instructor in communication arts, June 2000–December 2002

    Coordinator, research programs, January 1999–November 2001, University of West Florida
    Developed, administered, and analyzed surveys and results. Published and presented reports. Planned and implemented website for Customer Management Information System project.

  • Freelance writer, May 2003–October 2004, Prentice-Hall Publishing Company
    Developed and wrote cases and vignettes for "Marketing Research Using Excel."
  • Public relations director and executive administrative assistant, July 2002–August 2007, The Florida Society of Addiction Medicine, Region X
    Coordinated annual conference. Designed and developed quarterly report. Marketed activities. Constructed regional website.
  • Public relations consultant, January 1996–July 2002, The Florida Society of Addiction Medicine
    Constructed articles for and edited newsletter. Researched and prepared grant. Aided in conference coordination. Taught domestic violence seminars for continuing education units.

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • Nominee, Excellence in Teaching Award, Florida State University, 1997
  • Phi Eta Sigma, Honor Fraternity
  • Phi Kappa Phi, Honor Fraternity
  • Kappa Tau Alpha
  • Key recipient, Delta Sigma Pi
  • Communication Graduate Student of the Year, UWF

Publications and presentations

  • With Brode, Melissa and Jennifer Benjamin. "A Study on the Correlation between Instructor and Peer-Reviewed Scores in a Graduate Business Course," presented at Small Business Institute, San Diego, CA, February 2017.
  • With Ashley Clayson and Deva Rawls. "Quality Enhancement Plan: The Road to Business Communication Excellence.," presented at 2017 Lilly Conference on Teaching for Active and Engaged Learning, February 23–26, 2017.
  • With Melissa Brode and Jennifer Benjamin. "Student peer reviews: Simulating the face-to-face experience in an online course.," presented at 2017 Lilly Conference about Evidence­Based Teaching & Learning in Austin, TX, January 5–7, 2017.
  • With Ellis, Holly H., and W. Gary Howard. "The Effects of Gender and Dominant Mental Processes on Hypermedia Learning," Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, Vol. 21, No. 4, 2012.
  • "Communication Works for Those Who Work at It." In "Marketing Research 6e" by Bums, Al and Ronald Bush. Prentice-Hall, 2010.
  • "Cases and vignettes for 'Marketing Research' by Bush, Ronald and Al Burns." Prentice-Hall, 2005.
  • With Howard, W. G. and James W. Boles. "Inter-Domain Work-Family, Family­Work Conflict and Police Work Satisfaction," Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, Vol. 27, Issue 3, 2004.
  • Howard, Marcia R. and Heather H. Donofrio. Chapter 20: "Presenting the Research Results," in Marketing Research by Bush, Ronald and Al Burns. Prentice-Hall, 2003.
  • "Conducting Survey Research Online," presented at Tenth International Conference on Management of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland, March 19–22, 2001.
  • With Boles, James S., and W. G. Howard. "An Investigation of Inter-Relationships of Work-Family Conflict, Family-Work Conflict and Work Satisfaction of Probation and Parole Officers," Journal of Managerial Issues, Vol. XIII, No. 3, 2001.
  • With Howard, Marcia R. "Using the Internet to Facilitate Teaching," presented at International Conference on Technology in Education, Edinburgh, Scotland, March 1999.
  • With Howard, Marcia R. "The Internet in the Classroom," presented at 1998 Association for Business Communication Southeastern U.S. Conference, Tunica, MS, April 5, 1998.
  • With Howard, Marcia R. "How Can the Internet Be Used in Teaching?" presented at 67th Annual Convention of the Florida Communication Association, Melbourne, FL, October 18, 1997.
  • With Howard, W. Gary, and Marcia R. Howard. "Using Hypermedia to Teach Communications, Business and Government.," presented at 67th Annual Convention of the Florida Communication Association, Melbourne, FL, October 18, 1997.