Excellence in Teaching

Our Commitment to Teaching Excellence

The Department of Communication is highly regarded within both NIU and the greater academic community for its commitment to teaching excellence. Our faculty are among the finest teachers on campus. Several department faculty have been recognized with the most prestigious teaching awards bestowed by the university.

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Awards

Name Year
Joseph Scudder 2003
David Gunkel 2006
Betty H. La France 2013
Mary Lynn Henningsen
Kate Cady 2019
Randy Caspersen 2025

Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Awards

Name Year
Matt Swan 2012
Kimberly Gatz 2014
Jason Akst 2016

Distinguished Teaching Professors*

*Formerly Presidential Teaching Professorships

Name Year(s)
Jeffrey Chown 2005-2009
David Gunkel 2009-2013
Joseph Scudder 2012-2016
Laura Vazquez 2020

Board of Trustees Professorships

Name Year
Jeffrey Chown 2011
Laura Vazquez 2014

Contact Us

Department of Communication
Watson Hall 210
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-1563
815-753-7109 (Fax)

David Gunkel, Ph.D.
Acting Department Chair
dgunkel@niu.edu

Laura Vazquez, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Watson Hall 213
815-753-7107
lvazquez@niu.edu