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Debbie Ford

PhD, Communication Studies, University of Kansas

MA, Communication, University of Nebraska-Omaha

BA, Communication, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Debra J. Ford, PhD


Assistant Dean, Student Affairs

Email: dford@kumc.edu
Phone: (913) 588-1619

Debra J. Ford, PhD, is assistant dean for student affairs at the KU School of Nursing. In this position, she collaborates with associate and assistant deans at the School in strategic planning, policy development, annual budgeting and fiscal monitoring, developing and implementing new initiatives, reviewing and revising admission requirements and evaluating quality of all missions for the school. She also provides leadership in concert with the associate dean for all activities in the Student Affairs Office.

Prior to her position at the KU School of Nursing, Dr. Ford was basic course director, Communication Studies, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She served as graduate recruiter and RN advisor for the KU School of Nursing from 1997-1999, and undergraduate advisor/recruiter from 1989-1994.

Her research focuses upon strategies used by organizations to influence public policy, with a specific focus on health policy; group communication processes in public-private partnerships; and the scholarship of teaching and learning. She is writing a textbook on organizational rhetoric with Mary Hoffman, PhD, scheduled for publication in March 2009.

Dr. Ford is the recipient of the Donn W. Parson Graduate Faculty Mentorship Award from the University of Kansas; was twice-nominated for the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence, Creighton University’s highest award for teaching; and is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, leadership honorary.

Publications

  • Keyton, J., Ford, D. J., & Smith, f. e. (In press; scheduled for August 2008.) A meso-level communicative model of collaboration. Communication Theory.
  • Koesten, J., Schrodt, P., & Ford, D. J. (In press.) Cognitive flexibility as a mediator of family communication environments and young adult children's well-being. Health Communication.
  • Bisel, R. S., & Ford, D. J. (In press.)  Diagnosing pathogenic eschatology.  Communication Studies.
  • Bisel, R. S., Ford, D. J., & Keyton, J. (2007) Unobtrusive control in a leadership program: Integrating control and consent.  Western Communication Journal, 71 (2), 136-158.
  • Russo, T. C., & Ford, D. J. (2006).  Teachers’ reflections on reflection. Journal of Cognitive Affective Learning, 2 (2), 1-12.
  • Ford, D. J. (2004).  Organizational advocacy syllabus.  Communication Teacher, 18 (4), 120-124.
  • Ford, D. J. (2003).  Prism analysis of the debate over the American Medical Association’s Health Access America Plan.  Proceedings of the 2004 Alta Conference on Argumentation. Washington, DC: National Communication Association.

Book Editor/Co-Editor

  • Ford, D. J., Leonard, L. L., & Mabachi, N. M. (2004). Basic course survival guide, 2004-2005. St. Louis, Mo: Pearson Custom Publishing.
  • Leonard, L. L.,  Mabachi, N. M., & Ford, D. J. (2005).  Basic course survival guide, 2005-2006. St. Louis, Mo: Pearson Custom Publishing.
  • Mabachi, N. M., Leyerzapf, A., & Ford, D. J. (in press).  Basic course survival guide, 2006-2007. St. Louis, Mo: Pearson Custom Publishing.

Presentations

  • Russo, T. C., & Ford, D. J. (2007).
  • Ford, D. J. (2006 April 20). Using personal response systems in the large lecture classroom. Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Kansas.
  • Ford, D. J. (2006 April 27; 2005 Oct. 27; 2004 Oct.).  Organizational rhetoric. Introduction to Communication Studies, University of Kansas.
  • Ford, D. J. (2003 April). Designing public health campaigns. Creighton University School of Nursing, Omaha, Neb.
  • Ford, D. J. (2003 April). Communicating with professionals for pharmacy students. Creighton University, School of Allied Health Professions, Omaha, Neb..  Two presentations:  Year 1 and Year 3 students.

Selected Refereed Presentations

  • Russo, T. C., & Ford, D. J. (2007). Understanding student resistance to reflection activities. Presented at the National Communication Association meeting, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Division, Chicago, Ill.
  • Keyton, J., Ford, D. J., & Smith, f. (2006).  A meso-level communicative model of collaboration.  Presented at the National Communication Association meeting, Group Communication Division, San Antonio, Texas.
  • Koesten, J., Russo, T.C., & Ford, D. J. (2006).  Taking health messages home. Presented at the National Communication Association meeting, Health Communication Division, San Antonio, Texas.
  • Russo, T. C., & Ford, D. J. (2006).  Student perceptions of reflection as teaching practice.  Presented at the National Communication Association meeting, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning  Division, San Antonio, Texas.
  • Simonds, C., Titsworth, S., & Ford, D. J. (2006). Assessment of GTA evaluation training in the basic course. Presented at the 2006 Central States Communication Association Annual Conference, Indianapolis, Ind.
  • Ford, D. J., & Hoffman, M. (2005). Negotiating double-bind stakeholder interests: The AARP and the Medicare Prescription Drug Act (Pilot findings). Presented at the 2005 National Communication Association Annual Conference, Boston, Mass.
  • Ford, D. J. (2005). Using rhetorical criticism to go beyond best practices
    in organizational advocacy.     Presented at the 2005 Central States Communication Association Annual Conference, Kansas City, Mo.

Service Activities

University of Kansas School of Nursing, 2006-Present:

  • Student Admissions & Progressions Committee, ex-officio
  • Curriculum Committee, ex-officio
  • Undergraduate Advisory Council, ex-officio
  • Masters Advisory Council, ex-officio
  • Doctoral Advisory Committee, ex-officio

University of Kansas, 2007-Present:

  • Provost's Task Force on Advising Assessment
  • Editorial Board (2006-Present), Communication Teacher.  Editor: Deanna Sellnow, Ph.D.

Affiliations

  • National Communication Association, 1992-Present & 1985-1987.
  • International Communication Association, 1994-Present
  • Central States Communication Association, 1994 to Present
  • International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning, 2005-Present
  • Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2007-Present