About the Speakers:

Stevie M. Munz (PhD, Ohio University) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Utah Valley University, where she serves as the department chair. She also serves as the Interim Director for the Center for the Study of Ethics and General Education Assessment Chair. Her teaching and research interests include intercultural communication, critical communication pedagogy, narrative and ethnography, as well as communication ethics. Stevie has published several co-edited books and handbooks, numerous articles and chapters, and received national teaching and scholarship awards, including the Pearson Nelson Teaching Award (2021), OSCLG Feminist Teacher-Mentor Award (2024), and numerous distinguished article awards from the National Communication Association and the Central States Communication Association.

Leandra H. Hernández (PhD, Texas A&M University) is an associate professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah. As a queer, feminist health and media studies scholar, her teaching and research interests include critical communication pedagogy, feminist mentorship, and the cultural causes and impacts of reproductive in/justice and gendered violence. She has published several co-edited books, one monograph, and numerous articles and chapters. Most recently, she is the recipient of the 2023 OSCLG Feminist Teacher-Mentor award, the 2024 NCA Women's Caucus Francine Merritt Award, and the 2025 NCA Everett Hughes Holle Award for Social Justice and Community Engagement.