Jacki Willenborg

Education

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee WI                                                               Ph.D. Communication, Expected May 2024                                                                                                    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee WI                                                                    Trauma-Informed Care Certificate, School of Social Work, May 2022                                                    University of Wisconsion-Milwaukee, Milwaukee WI                                                                 M.A. Communication, May 2019                                                                                                        University of Iowa, Iowa City IA                                                                                                           B.A. Communication Studies, May 2017

Research Interest

I am a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a focus on mental health communication, specifically trauma and resiliency. I have been focused on mental health communication since my undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa. My past research projects have focused on a variety of topics within the mental health area ranging from relationships involving Borderline Personality Disorder to employees’ experiences with mental health in the workplace. Additionally, my Master’s thesis, completed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, focused on perceptions of suicidal memes and how such perceptions affected decisions of support provision. In addition to my work in the Department of Communication, I have also earned a Trauma-Informed Care graduate certificate through the School of Social Work. My current research is focused on occupational trauma exposure, trauma work, and resiliency within co-worker relationships.

Teaching Experience

COM 101 – Introduction to Interpersonal Communication                                                                      COM 105 – Business and Professional Communication                                                                        COM 301 – Interpersonal Processes                                                                                                            COM 320 – Nonverbal Communication

Service

Fundraising Coordinator, September 2023-present                                                                        Communication Graduate Student Council, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                                  PhD Mentorship Coordinator, September 2022-May 2023                                                            Communication Graduate Student Council, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                            Member, Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health, April 2020-May 2023 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                                                                                                          Member, NCA Mental Health and Communication Task Force, September 2021-May 2022                                                                                                                                                                      Awards Committee Representative, September 2020-May 2022                            Communication Graduate Student Council, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                      Activities Coordinator, September 2018-May 2020                                                                Communication Graduate Student Council, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                Volunteer, Fall 2019                                                                                                                              Undergraduate Majors Fair, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                                                              Volunteer Judge, Spring 2019                                                                                                                        Communication 103 Public Speaking Showcase, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee      Reviewer, Spring 2018                                                                                                                          Central States Communication Association                                                                                  Undergraduate Student Representative, September 2017-May 2018                                            Communication Graduate Student Council, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                            Volunteer, Fall 2017                                                                                                                                Graduate Open House, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                                                        Student Ambassador, September 2016-December 2016                                                                        Department of Communication Studies, The University of Iowa