Biography
Kathi Groenendyk received certification in crisis communication and also in integrated communication from the Public Relations Society of America, and has earned the PRSA badge of completion in executive communication. In addition to teaching public relations, she has helped develop new curriculum programs in strategic communication and media. Her research currently focuses on social media and effective climate change communication.
Education
- Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, PA
- M.A., Texas A&M University, TX
- B.A., Calvin College, MI
Professional Experience
Administrative Positions
2019—present: Chair, Department of Communication, Calvin University
2017—2019: Co-chair, Communication Arts and Sciences, Calvin College
2014—2016: Chair, Communication Arts and Sciences, Calvin College
2010—2014: Co-chair, Communication Arts and Sciences, Calvin College
2005—2012: Co-director, Academic Writing Program, Calvin College
2003—2005: Associate Director, Academic Writing Program, Calvin College
Academic Positions
2013—present: Professor, Department of Communication, Calvin University
2005—2013: Associate Professor, Communication Arts & Sciences, Calvin College
1998—2005: Assistant Professor, Communication Arts & Sciences, Calvin College
1995—1998: Teaching Assistant, Department of Communication, Penn State University
1994—1995: Assistant Lecturer, Department of Communication, Texas A&M
1993—1994: Research Assistant, Texas A&M; EPA Grant
1993—1994: Teaching Assistant, Department of Communication, Texas A&M
Professional Services
Reviewer for Central States Conference, Fall 2015, Basic Course Division.
Reviewer, The Journal of Communication and Religion. 2011.
Reviewer, Conference on Communication and the Environment, 2011; 2009.
Editorial Review Board, The Journal of Communication and Religion. 2003-2006.
External reviewer, Rhetoric & Public Affairs. 2001-2002.
Co-Advisor, Lambda Pi Eta National Honors Society for Communication Students, Calvin College. 2000-2001.
Community Service
Member, Presidential Search Committee, Calvin University, 2021-2022.
Board Member, Evangelical Environmental Network, May 2020-present.
Member, Core Program Governance Committee, 2021-present.
Academic Program Review Committee, Calvin University. 2018-2020.
Professional Status Committee, Calvin University. 2018-2020.
Member, Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, Calvin College. 2017-2018.
Advisor, Chimes (Calvin College student newspaper), 2016-2018.
Coordinator, CAS 101, Oral Rhetoric. 2005-2015.
Coordinator, CAS Essay Contest. 2010 – 2014.
Advisor, Calvin Public Relations Organization (student group), 2012-2015.
Advisor, Student Environmental Stewardship Coalition, Calvin College. 2000-2006.
Program Coordinator, McGregor Research Program. Summer 2005.
Campus Representative, Academic Review Committee of the Creation Care Studies Program. Fall 2003-Fall 2005.
Chair and Facilitator, “Learning through Writing: Best Teaching Practices to Promote Student Learning.” 2011 Fall Faculty Conference.
Judge, Gender Studies and Academic Writing Program Writing Contest, 2006-2010.
Judge, Communication Arts and Sciences Essay Contest, 2010.
Education First Leadership Project: Public Speaking Training. St. Stephen Catholic Elementary School. Spring 2010 and Spring 2011.
Leader, Workshop for Rhetoric Center Tutors on Helping with Oral Rhetoric Outlines, Fall 2007-2010, 2013.
Chair and Facilitator, “Using SafeAssign in the Classroom.” 2009 Fall Faculty Conference for Calvin College Faculty and Staff.
“Using Research in Classroom Assignments.” Panel participation, Building a Bridge Conference (Reference Librarians), November 2010, Calvin College.
Leader, “Strategies for the Busy Professor.” 2010 Summer Faculty Teaching Development.
Co-Leader with Sarah McClure Kolk, “New Takes on the ‘Research’ Paper.” 2008 Summer Faculty Teaching Development.
Chair, “Deterring Student Plagiarism: The Debate about Plagiarism Detection Software.” 2008 Fall Faculty Conference.
Leader, “Revising the Departmental Writing Program.” 2007 Summer Faculty Development.”
“Best Teaching Practices for Using PowerPoint,” Teaching Workshop Luncheon, sponsored by the Teaching Fellows. 2007.
Leader, “Teaching, Not Cheating: How Can Your Writing Assignments Lead to Better Learning and Avoid the Temptation of Student Plagiarism.” 2006 Summer Faculty Development Workshop, Calvin College.
Leader, “Engaging Ideas: The Professor’s Guide to Integrative Writing: Critical Thinking and Active Learning in the Classroom.” 2006 Summer Faculty Development Workshop, Calvin College.
Leader, “Speak Up! Using and Evaluating Oral Rhetoric Assignments in the Classroom.” 2005 Summer Faculty Development Workshop, Calvin College.
Chair. “‘Where’s the Power, What’s the Point?’: The Use of PowerPoint in the Classroom.” 2005 Fall Conference for Calvin College Faculty and Staff.
Chair. “The Effective Use of Oral Presentations in the Classroom.” 2004 Fall Conference for Calvin College Faculty and Staff.
Presentation. Environmental Stewardship. Beets-Veenstra. November, 2004.
Panel participant. “Current Trends in Pedagogy.” 2003 Fall Conference for Calvin College Faculty and Staff.
Faculty representative. Alumni Association Awards Committee. Fall 2003-2005.
Awards
Department of Speech Communication Teaching Assistant Award, Texas A&M University, 1993.
