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Professional Education
Ph.D., Speech Communication; Wayne State University
M.A., Public Address; Eastern Michigan University
B.S., Political Science; Eastern Michigan University
B.S., Organizational Communication; Eastern Michigan University
Expertise
Organizational Communication and Rhetoric
Crisis Communication
Persuasive Communication
Teaching Pedagogy
Professional Affiliations / Memberships
National Communication Association
Recent Publications / Presentations
Tatsak, J. (2010). “Everyone’s Business: Reflection Tools for Professional Success.” Competitive panel presented at the National Communication Convention in San Francisco, CA.
Tatsak, J. (2010). “Providing the Safety Net for Student Engagement.” Panel presentation at the conference on Teaching and Learning sponsored jointly by Oakland University and the University of Windsor.
Tatsak, J. (2008). “Creating Experiences that Matter: Finding the Right Service-Learning Opportunity for your Classroom.” Short Course presented at the National Communication Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
Tatsak, J. (2008). “Refiguring an Identity Crisis: The Allure of the Sounds of Starbucks.” National Communication Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
Tatsak, J. (2007). “Speaking About Serving: Pedagogy and Possibilities of Service Learning in a Public Speaking Course.” National Communication Association Convention, Chicago, IL.
Awards / Honors
Michigan Campus Compact Grant, State of Michigan. “Historically Speaking: Preserving Memories for Alzheimer’s Families.”
Top Conference Paper Awards:
Tatsak, J. (2010). “Organization Made Easy: Building Bridges between the Everyday and Effective Communication.” National Association Convention, San Francisco, CA.
Tatsak, J. (2009). “Take a Stand for Persuasion: Teaching Audience Analysis for the Persuasive Speech and Beyond.” National Association Convention, Chicago, IL.
Professional Biography
Jenny Tatsak is an Associate Professor of Business Communication. Her teaching is informed by the communication expertise developed, honed, and tested as a Director of Communication, part of the senior leadership of various political initiatives including high-profile campaigns. On statewide, regional, and national efforts, she surpassed expectations and achieved impressive results by leveraging innovative communication messages to inspire action. She developed general messaging strategy, direct mail, web content, as well as television and print advertisements to not only generate support, but to raise unprecedented dollars. She developed and enacted crisis communication and image restoration plans and served as media coach for on-camera interviews and debate preparation.
Knowing first-hand the impact of thoughtful and audience-relevant communication to motivate change, Dr. Tatsak researches persuasive campaigns, organizational communication and rhetoric, and teaching pedagogy. Dr. Tatsak regularly presents her research at regional and national conferences. Recently, her research was recognized by the National Communication Association with two top paper awards. Her latest research, on the impact of positive communication in education, is included among the leading interpersonal communication scholars in a forthcoming book by Peter Lang Publishing.