Rate My Professor Nicole Grider

Nicole S. Grider serves as Instructor of Communication Studies at Colorado Mesa University, a position she has held since 2016. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Media, with an emphasis in creative writing and production, and a Master of Arts in Mass Communication, with a cognate focus in interpersonal communication, both from the University of Central Missouri. Grider brings a wealth of professional media communication experience to her teaching, derived from roles in radio, film, television, theatre, and voice-over work. Previously, she acted as faculty advisor for Feminists in Action for Gender Equality and as a conversation partner for an Intensive English Program. In her current role, she co-advises The Talk and provides advisory support to current, former, and prospective communication students. Her contributions include developing the Open Educational Resources project 'Randomly Changing Variables: A Nonverbal Communication OER Textbook with Exercises' for courses such as SPCH 102: Speechmaking, SPCH 101: Interpersonal Communication, SPCH 203: Persuasion, and SPCH 307: Professional Presentations.

Grider's research interests encompass the holistic connections of human communication, social justice, the persuasive nature of media, and observer responses to large-scale displays of fourth-wave feminism. Among her honors are Honor Thespian status, membership in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and receipt of the 2015 Regional Access to Graduate Education Grant Award. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the conviction that effective communication is the most powerful tool individuals can develop, irrespective of career path. She emphasizes engaging students to enhance critical thinking skills, facilitate authentic communication, and use education to broaden worldviews. Office: Moss Performing Arts Center 152; Phone: 970.248.1796.