Education

PhD, Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2018
MBA, University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, 1999
BBA, International Business and Language Studies, St. Norbert College, 1992

Work Experience

Karina works as a technology project manager within a national law firm.

Research Focus

Karina’s research investigates communication with an emphasis on LGBT issues, health communication, and technology using qualitative methodologies. She is currently exploring how verbal and nonverbal cues found in online physician video profiles can inform the physician selection process for LGBTQ patients in her dissertation research.

Awards

2017 – Amelia Lucas Trust awardee, monetary award supporting dissertation research, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

2016 – Top Student Paper, Communication Ethics, Activism, and Social Justice Interest Group, Central States Communication Association Convention, Grand Rapids, MI

2015 – Bill of Rights In Action Award, Constitutional Rights Foundation, Chicago, IL

2015 – Wisconsin’s Civil Libertarian of the Year, ACLU of Wisconsin

2014 – Lynford Lardner Community Service Award, Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee, WI

2014 – Community Champion Award, LGBT Community Center, Milwaukee, WI

Recent Research, Presentations, and Publications

Willes, K., Motel, L., & Jagiello, K. (2017). A thematic analysis of LGBTQ family art projects. (In progress).

Willes, K., & Nicolini, K. (2017). Suicide and Wisconsin’s LGBTQA community: What are the effects? (In progress).

Tilleman, M., & Willes, K. L. (2017, October 18). Diversity – LGBT community. Panel discussion presented at the Wisconsin Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators Monthly Meeting.

Willes, K. L., & Motel, L. (2017). Online physician video profiles: A thematic analysis of the information family practice physicians disclose. Presented at the annual convention of the National Communication Association, Health Communication Division, Dallas, TX, November 16.

Willes, K. L. (2017). LGBTQ workplace issues. In M. Allen (Ed.), Business and Professional Communication (2^nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Higher Education.

Willes, K. L. (2017). Data cleaning. In M. Allen (Sr. Ed.), Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Willes, K. L. (2017). Sampling decisions. In M. Allen (Sr. Ed.), Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Willes, K. L. (2017). Unobtrusive measures. In M. Allen (Sr. Ed.), Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Willes, K. L. (2017). How patients find doctors: An information integration and uncertainty reduction approach to the effects of online physician profiles. Presented at the CSCA  Annual Conference, March 16-18.

Willes, K. L. (2017). Suicide and Wisconsin’s LGBTQA community: What are the effects? Presented at the CSCA  Annual Conference, March 16-18.

Willes, K. L., & Young, K. L. (2017, February 16). A story about overcoming barriers.  Presented at Alverno College’s Forum: Barriers to LGBTQ Empowerment: Dialogue to Action.

Willes, K. L., Defenbaugh, N., Harness, L., Manning, J., Morgan, S., Wesp, L. M., & Woods, L. (2016, October 13). In Willes, K. L. (Chair), Communication issues and perceived bias between health care providers and LGBTQ patients. Round table discussion presented at the 2016 OSCLG Annual Conference.

Dwyer, K., Ristic, I., Willes, K., & Young, L. B. (2016). Technology in healthcare:  Exploring the effects on communication and care. In Maxwell, L. (Chair), Panel discussion presented at the CSCA  Annual Conference on April 16, 2016.

Nicolini, K. M., Victor, A. K., & Willes, K. L. (2016). Sustaining HIV Activism:  Prioritizing self-care and inspiring innovative solutions. In Messner, B. A. (Chair), top papers in communication ethics and freedom of expression: Ethical questions within forms of inquiry, activism, and argumentation. Presented at the CSCA  Annual Conference on April 14, 2016. Top Student Paper, Communication Ethics, Activism, and Social Justice Interest Group.

Nicolini, K. M., Victor, A. K., & Willes, K. L. (2015). Developing an HIV activist identity: a narrative analysis. Paper presented at the OSCLG conference on October 3, 2015.

Willes, K. L., Hawkins, J. M., Manning, J., McBride, M. C., Nicolini, K. M., Turner, L. H., & Victor, A. K. (2015). In Willes, K. L. (Chair), The same sex marriage debate: How the Supreme Court ruling affects communication. Round table discussion presented at the OSCLG conference on October 3, 2015.

Willes, K. (2015, April 16). Assisted Conception for Lesbian Couples: Barriers and Progress. In Davidson, R. D. (Chair), Families, friends, lovers and others: Exploring heteronormativity (queer) interpersonal relationships. Paper presented at the CSCA Annual Convention. Madison, WI.

Media Highlights and Interviews

Sachs, J., & Delong, K. (2015, August 25). Another victory for same-sex couples in WI: birth certificate issued to couple including both parents. Retrieved from: http://fox6now.com/2015/08/25/another-big-victory-for-same-sex-couples-in-wisconsin-birth-certificate-issued-to-couple-includes-both-parents/.

Halsted, G. (2015, August 24). Same-sex parents prevail in birth certificate dispute. WPR. Retrieved from http://www.wpr.org/same-sex-parents-prevail-birth-certificate-dispute.

Gavino, Y. (2015, June 30). Same-sex couple fights to get both names on daughter’s birth certificate. TMJ4. Retrieved from: http://www.scrippsmedia.com/tmj4/news/Same-sex-couple-fights-to-get-both-names-on-daughters-birth-certificate-310968641.html

Henzl, A. E. (2015, April 24). Milwaukee, WI. Wisconsin lesbian couple fights for both names to be on child’s birth certificate. WUWM. Retrieved from: http://wuwm.com/post/wisconsin-lesbian-couple-fights-both-names-be-child-s-birth-certificate

Slater, T. (2015, April 23). Milwaukee, WI. Gay couple battles to get both names on child’s birth certificate. WISN. Retrieved from: http://www.wisn.com/news/gay-couple-battles-to-get-both-names-on-childs-birth-certificate/32520012.

The Wisconsin Gazette. (2015, April 21). ACLU goes back to court: wants to guarantee both parents in a same-sex couple must be listed on Wisconsin birth certificates. The Wisconsin Gazette. Retrieved from: http://www.wisconsingazette.com/wisconsin/aclu-goes-back-to-courtbreakwants-to-guarantee-both-parents-in-same-sex-couple-must-be-listed-on-wisconsin-birth-certificates.html.

Stein, J. (2015, April 20). Milwaukee, WI. Gay parents seek both names on children’s birth certificates. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved from: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/gay-parents-seek-both-names-on-childrens-birth-certificates-b99485111z1-300720011.html

Wheeler News Service. (2014, October 7). Madison, WI. Same-sex couples believe marriage ruling will ease adoption process. WTAQ. Retrieved from: http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2014/oct/07/same-sex-couples-believe-marriage-ruling-will-ease-adoption-process/.