Allison Wakin
- she/her
- Lecturer
- Communication, School of, Instructor
General Information
Additional Contact Information
Email: awakin@unomaha.eduZoom: https://unomaha.zoom.us/j/4926058626
Biography
I am a University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumna, earning both my Bachelor's Degree in Education and Master's Degree in Communication from the University. After completion of my MA, I taught at Boys Town High School and Career Center in Omaha Nebraska, developing the Speech and Communication Curriculum, as well as their Media Department. During my time at Boys Town, I continued my education at UNO, by adding my Special Education Endorsement. I used this certificate as a Special Education Case Manager, and continue to practice this in the education field. My teaching career continued to expand, while teaching as an adjunct instructor at UNO, then Western Iowa Technical Community College, Buena Vista University, and Metropolitan Community College before being hired full-time in the College of Communication, teaching an array of classes, as well as teaming up with both the Thompson Learning Center and Success Academy. I continue to push myself as an educator by researching new curriculum, texts, and opportunities for coursework and student focused engagement.
Teaching Interests
Teaching is my passion and I enjoy the diversity in my ever-evolving course load: CMST 1110 (face-to-face and online), 2410, 3120 and 3140. I am interested in continuing to teach Public Speaking at the 1000 and 3000 level, while working to add curriculum to expand the reach of our school and expertise into the community of UNO and beyond. I have enjoyed the opportunity to update and grow Small Group Communication courses, takin these courses to an asynchronous setting and updated Advanced Public Speaking to reach a large quantity of students by way of asynchronous and face-to-face offerings. I am continuing to research and work with UNO Study Abroad to find ways to link both CMST 2410 and 3140 with Study Abroad Opportunities for students. My CMST 1110 course are solely Thompson Learning Community sections at this time. This assignment has additional meeting and communication requirements for the students and myself that allows me to connect to the roots of why I am a teacher; to work with underrepresented communities who need added assistance in the classroom to achieve their dreams. I had the opportunity to bring Persuasive Speaking back to life after a decade long hiatus in the school. Reviewing past course CMST 3120 syllabi and text was fascinating, since course development is passion of mine. I felt alive updating this course, seeing my students find their voice in a safe environment, accepting of differing opinions. My experience with IDG with A T Miller was the perfect set-up to return to teaching in the fall and the best way to see how we can have a classroom of diverse individuals with limitless perspectives who can, in fact, work together and learn from one another. I look forward to the opportunities to teach the following courses: Intergroup Dialogue, Intercultural Communication, Perspectives in Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communication, Communication for Instructional Settings, Communication and Human Relationships, Interpersonal Conflict, and Conflict Mediation.
Research Interests
Although I do not have a research assignment it’s very important to me to continue to research new ways to innovate my students, colleagues, community, and myself. In the fall of 2019 I developed the Face-to-Face Canvas course for all CMST 1110 sections as the Chair that will launch in Spring 2020. I also spent time researching methods to help CMST 1110 reach the most students possible by serving on the ad hoc committees of 1) test out procedures and 2) dual enrollment. I have continued developing an option for a Service Learning section of CMST 2410 with an additional Study Abroad option to the same class. Further, I have begun working with a great team for the Speech Philanthropy Project in SPRING of 2020. My research continues to show in diversity and inclusion as I attend University and local workshops, while serving on the CFAM Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Special Education and Mental Health are also areas of research that I read articles and attend workshops on. Many of my student meetings go back to these areas and I find it important to be as well-read and informed as I can be for them, myself, and my colleagues.
Service Summary
University:Faculty Senator CFAM Representative Thompson Learning Community FacultyTLC Welcome BreakfastTLC Auto Bio ReadingsSuccess Academy Day Presenter (August 2018/2019)Professional/Personal: