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STEPHEN M. KROMKA
Department of Communication Studies
West Virginia University
108 Armstrong Hall
P.O. Box 6293
Morgantown, WV 26506-6293
Office: (304) 293-3905 | Mobile: (724) 954-5888
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Communication Studies August 2017-Present
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
Research Areas:Instructional Communication & Family Communication
Methodology: Quantitative
Advisor: Dr. Alan K. Goodboy
Expected Graduation Date: August 2020
M.A., Communication Studies August 2016-August 2017
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
B.A., Communication & Rhetoric August 2009-May 2011, August 2013-December 2014
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
B.A., Theatrical Engineering & Design August 2009-May 2011, August 2013-December 2014
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS
Narrative Sense-Making in the Classroom, Storytelling, Estrangement in Families, Concertive Control in Higher Education
PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles
Myers, S. A., Baker, J. P., Barone, H., Kromka, S. M., & Pitts, S. (2018). Using rhetorical/relational goal theory to examine college students’ impressions of their instructors. Communication Research Reports, 35, 131-140. doi:10.1080/08824096.2017.1406848
Book Chapters
Myers, S. A., Garlitz, K. T., Kromka, S. M., Nicholson, A. L., Sutherland, A. D., & Thomas, M. J. (in press). Using rhetorical/relational goal theory to examine millennial students’ academic and relational needs. In A. Atay & M. Z. Ashlock (Eds.), Millennial culture and communication pedagogies: Narratives from the classroom and higher education. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
CONVENTION PAPERS
Kromka, S. M., & Myers, S. A. (April, 2018) Students’ academic orientation and perceived instructor credibility in the college classroom. Instructional Communication Interest Group, Eastern Communication Association, Pittsburgh, PA.
Rittenour, C. E., Kromka, S. M., Pitts, S., Thorwart, M. A., Vickers, J., & Whyte, K. V. (April, 2018). Stereotypes, attitudes, and (non) accommodative strategies for communicating with estranged adult children. Interpersonal Communication Interest Group, Eastern Communication Association, Pittsburgh, PA.
Myers, S. A., Baker, J. P., Barone, H., Kromka, S. M., & Pitts, S. (April, 2018). Using rhetorical/relational goal theory to examine college students’ impressions of their instructors. Central States Communication Association. Milwaukee, WI.
Myers, S. A., Baker, J., Kromka, S. M., & Pitts, S. (November, 2017). Instructor-student perceptions of effective teaching behaviors. Instructional Development Division, National Communication Association, Dallas, TX.
Rittenour, C. E., Kromka, S. M., Saunders, R., Andrews, K., Anzur, C. K., Garlitz, K. T., Davis, K., Luo, Z., Nicholson, A., Opatz, S., Russell, R., Skerda, K., Smith, B., Sutherland, A., & Thomas, M. (November, 2017). Socializing the silent treatment: Parent and Adult child communicated displeasure and its correlates with identification and relational quality. Family Communication Division, Dallas, TX.
PANEL PRESENTATIONS
Kromka, S. M. (2018). How students learn: Theoretical perspectives from educational psychology to incorporate into instructional communication research. Instructional Communication Interest Group, Eastern Communication Association, Pittsburgh, PA.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Course Administrator August 2017-Present
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
Department of Communication Studies
COMM 102: Interpersonal Communication
This course was built with a “narrative approach” in which students were asked to connect interpersonal communication concepts and theories to their own interpersonal relationships through means such as case studies and personal storytelling.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Primary Instructor) August 2017-Present
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
Department of Communication Studies
COMM 102: Interpersonal Communication
This introductory course involved the study of concepts and theories of interpersonal communication and focuses on relationships between friends, coworkers, family, and romantic partners. This course utilizeda case studies textbook and used a narrative approach to learning.
COMM 112: Small Group Communication
This introductory course focused on the importance of small group communication with emphasis on developing understanding of the small group communication process and learning how to communicate effectively with group members. This was a service-learning course in which the instructor facilitated student volunteering to work with local community partners.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Assisted Primary Instructor) August 2016-May 2017
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
Department of Communication Studies
COMM 305: Appreciation of Motion Pictures: “The Classics” (Spring 2017)
COMM 105: Introduction to Mass Media (Spring 2017)
COMM 104: Public Communication (Fall 2016)
COMM 305: Appreciation of Motion Pictures: “Goes to War” (Fall 2016)
Assistant Technical Director and Class Instructor December 2014-May 2015
University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA
Department of Theater Arts
THEA 842: Introduction to Stage Craft
This was a production-oriented course that involved the study and application of the skills utilized in the realization of theatrical scenery, props, and lighting. This included standard scenic construction techniques, materials and equipment of the scene shop, an introduction to scenic painting, drafting, basic lighting practices, and properties design and construction.
GRADUATE COURSES TAKEN
COMM 600: Communication in the Classroom
COMM 610: Family Communication
COMM 625: Computer Mediated Communication
COMM 700: Survey of Human Communication Theory
COMM 701: Graduate Research Methods
COMM 601: Instructional Communication
COMM 602: Interpersonal Communication
COMM 606: Organizational Communication
COMM 645: Masspersonal Communication
HIED 651: College Student Development
COMM 623: Leadership Communication
COMM 693F: Professional Preparation
COMM 611: Intergroup Communication
EDP 613: Statistical Methods 1
COMM 719: Advanced Instructional Communication
COMM 796: Graduate Seminar
EDP 614: Statistical Methods 2 (In Progress)
IDT 693A: Online Teaching and Learning (In Progress)
COMM 693J: Moderation-Mediation Seminar (In Progress)
COMM 713: Qualitative Research Methods (In Progress)
HONORS AND AWARDS
Best Technical Director, Department of Theater Arts, University of Pittsburgh, 2014
SERVICE
Boy Scouts of America – Merit Badge Organizer for Communication Merit Badge (2018)
Boy Scouts of America - Merit Badge Counselor for Communication Merit Badge (2017)
Tom Wolf for Pennsylvania Governor Campaign – Political Communication Internship (2014)
YMCA Healthy Living Outreach Program – Health and Organizational Communication Internship (2014)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Voicethread and Storytelling Workshop – Voicethread Instructional Design Online
Safe Zone Training Workshop – West Virginia University LGBTQ+ Center
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
National Communication Association
Eastern Communication Association