Rate My Professor Kristina Stake

Professor Kristina Stake is a dedicated instructor in the Communication Studies department at Louisiana Tech University, housed within the School of Human Inquiry in the College of Liberal Arts. Specializing in foundational communication education, she serves as Co-Coordinator of COMM 1013 and Co-Director of the Communication 101 Program, where she teaches Principles of Communication Studies to numerous sections of undergraduate students each term. Her teaching emphasizes practical communication skills essential for academic success and professional development. Additionally, Stake holds the key role of Coordinator of Nationally Competitive Scholarships and Awards, guiding students through rigorous application processes for prestigious national recognitions. Under her mentorship, Louisiana Tech achieved its first Barry Goldwater Scholars in 2023, with two students selected, and continued success with multiple nominations in subsequent years, including five undergraduate STEM researchers in 2026. Her efforts have significantly elevated the university's profile in national scholarship competitions.

Prior to her current academic appointments, Stake brings extensive experience in higher education administration from her background in collegiate athletics. She previously served as Executive Assistant to the Athletic Director at Louisiana Tech University in 2018 and as Associate Athletic Director for Academic and Student Services at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she specialized in NCAA compliance and student-athlete academic support before returning to her home region. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to undergraduate teaching, Stake was nominated by the College of Liberal Arts and awarded the Louisiana Tech Foundation F. Jay Taylor Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2025. As a faculty member actively engaged in departmental activities, including social media outreach through official Communication Studies accounts and student engagement initiatives like power posing workshops for stress relief, she fosters a supportive learning environment. Stake's multifaceted career demonstrates a commitment to student success across teaching, advising, and administrative leadership within communications, marketing, and public affairs contexts at Louisiana Tech University.