Lauren G. Millender, Ph.D.

Education

• Ph.D., Organizational Science, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• M.A., Industrial and Organizational Psychology, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• M.A., Communication Studies, The University of Oklahoma
• B.B.A., Marketing and Supply Chain Management, The University of Oklahoma

Courses

• CSS 4318: Communication & New Technology

Teaching Philosophy 

My approach in the classroom centers the creation of a psychologically safe environment in order to foster students' engagement with content and the sharing of personal organizational experiences. This generates a natural segue to the application of concepts and offers me an opportunity to gauge the depth of students' understanding and offer corrections when necessary. When students feel comfortable asking questions or taking risks to participate, they begin to engage in the process of learning, and genuine curiosity is eminent. If I can get students comfortable enough to ask more questions and feed their curiosity, I can begin to mold them into individuals who think deeply about the world around them. My approach is best summarized by a quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea".

Research Interests

I am a post-positivist-leaning social scientist and focus my research on three primary areas of organizational communication: identification, leadership, and employee voice. Often, I study these areas at the intersection of technology. I aim to understand the barriers and opportunities individuals navigate as they communicatively construct their organizational identification, engage in the socially-constructed process of leadership, and decide how to speak up about issues in the workplace. My research has explored barriers and opportunities, including formal organizational powerholders, organizational structures, and external stimuli such as the labor market and economy. By centering the context within which these communicative processes occur, my research spans the meso and macro levels of interaction as well. Consequently, my line of inquiry benefits from a structurational approach to social research through which I go beyond traditional causal paths and acknowledge the more recursive nature of structures and action. With this understanding, I prioritize matching both qualitative and quantitative methods to the research question at hand.

Family, Outside Hobbies, and Interests

I treasure time with my family. My husband and I have a longstanding tradition of getting coffee on Saturday mornings, so we love finding new spots to try out. I enjoy working out, spending time cuddling my dog, Mr. Franklin, and volunteering with my sorority, Gamma Phi Beta.

What is the best thing about being a Baylor Bear?

I have quickly learned that my favorite thing about being a part of this community is our joy and passion for serving others. I love that we model servant leadership and center our Faith while doing so.