Jennifer Ziegler, a Communication faculty member since 2007, currently serves as Dean of the Graduate School and Continuing Education at Valparaiso University. Previously, she served as Communication department Chair and Graduate Program Director in the Digital Media and Sports Media programs. Dr. Ziegler enjoys teaching students at all levels, in courses from Core to Organizational Communication to the graduate capstone in Digital Media. Dr. Ziegler is most energized by helping students to explore areas where discourses intersect, such as where business meets politics in Corporate Advocacy and Activist Communication. Dr. Ziegler’s research is driven by a fascination with how we talk about communication affects how we organize. In particular, she studies how metacommunication impacts the management of safety in dangerous occupations, particularly wildland firefighting. As an extension of her research, Dr. Ziegler works with the US Forest Service and other agencies on projects that help to maximize organizational learning from unwanted outcomes in wildland fire. A member of the National Communication Association, Dr. Ziegler also serves on the Editorial Board for the journal Management Communication Quarterly.

Digital Media, Sports Media, Advocacy and Activist Communication, Wildland firefighting