Jeanne Flora Associate Professor of Speech Communication Jeanne Flora single-handedly developed the University of La Verne’s speech communication program with a proposal she penned at the request of then Dean John Gingrich in 2000. Since then the department has celebrated substantial growth as an increasing number of majors continue to explore the world of communication. Raised in a family of educators, Flora said she had a natural inclination for teaching. She discovered an attraction to the field of speech communication as an English major and Communication Studies minor at Manchester College in Indiana and soon traveled the road of her familial background, eventually setting her sights at a college-level teaching career. “I thought I didn’t want to be a teacher, because everyone else was,” Flora says laughing warmly. “But here I am.” A native of Wabash, Indiana, Flora grew up loving the outdoors: playing tennis and enjoying the lakes of Northern Indiana. Bit by the “travel bug” early on, her summers were dedicated to family vacations to National Parks around the United States. A favorite destination is Glacier National Park, where Flora enjoys trekking the” Going-to-the-Sun” hike. While a student at Manchester, she also traveled internationally, spending January interterms in such foreign lands as India, Russia, and Ireland expanding her life outlook. “International travel pushes you out of your small comfort zone,” Flora says. Upon graduation from Manchester, a sister Brethren college of ULV, Flora began graduate coursework at the University of Kansas, receiving her master’s and doctorate degrees in communication, and cementing her decision to pursue a professional career in education. Flora recently participated in a half-marathon with her younger sister. Though a first for the athlete, she maintains a fit and healthy lifestyle. Of course, Flora’s favorite aspect of running is, well, communication. “I enjoy the social aspects of running with someone else more than running itself,” Flora says. Fresh from this half marathon run, she emphasized the centrality of communication in every aspect of life. “Employers are hungry for employees that have good communication skills,” Flora says. “On one level the field is important for a student’s career advancement, and on a second level communication is extremely important in people’s personal lives.” Flora’s professional background naturally affects her home life, making her aware of the value of personal relationships. She said she enjoys any reason to celebrate, spending time with family and using fresh vegetables from her home garden to cook for loved ones. Flora’s courses range from interpersonal and family communication, in which students learn effective means of personal exchange, to intercultural communication, public speaking and communication theory. The entire speech program aims to prepare students for future success, providing them with essential interpersonal skills and ultimately placing them one step ahead in the career marke. Flora said strong interpersonal skills often top employer’s hiring requirements. “I think people are hungry to learn how they can have better relationships with people,” Flora says. “People who take my courses often find that they improve their personal relationships as well.” Though she is not a trained counselor, students value her expert opinion. She has published numerous articles on the topic and recently completed a book, Family Communication, which is currently being utilized in one of her courses. Family Communication, a two-year effort with co-author Chris Segrin, presents a comprehensive, up-to-date, summary of the literature in the field. “I’m teaching a subject that’s immediate and important in people’s lives. Students understand that, and I think they appreciate learning more about the topic. That’s rewarding for me,” Flora says. Flora integrates new research into the classroom, sharing existing developments in the field with students. Teaching the essentials of effective communication, Flora ultimately aims to enhance knowledge of the discipline, while improving personal relationships. “To be a good teacher you have to be able to translate theory and material from our scholarly research journals into a language students can understand, and I enjoy that process,” Flora says. “I’m also very passionate about the topics that I teach, because communication is a part of everyone’s lives.” Flora also incorporates her personal experiences into lessons, when applicable. “We all have relationships. Communication builds, maintains, or destroys relationships. So much of our lives is about negotiating communication and dealing with the social and emotional impact of communication on relationships.” RETURN TO FACULTY LISTHome.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0