Dial Center for Speech and Communication Studies

Instructional Professor

Biography

Dr. Kellie W. Roberts is an Instructional Professor in the William & Grace Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication at the University of Florida. She recently stepped down as Director of the unit after 17 years. She continues to serve as UF’s Director of Forensics coaching the nationally competitive UF Speech & Debate Team. Dr. Roberts, who earned her B.A., M.A.T., Ed.S., and Ed.D. from UF, has been teaching communication courses in UF’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Honors Program, and Warrington College of Business for over thirty years. Her regular courses include SPC2608, Introduction to Public Speaking; SPC3602, Advanced Public Speaking; and COM4930, Culinary Communication. Her involvement with students reaches far across campus and includes many years as a faculty advisor for Preview, UF’s Freshmen Orientation Program. As a communication consultant, she has provided training for a variety of private and non-profit organizations. She regularly presents at scholarly conferences and is a frequent media critic during state and national political elections. Her research interests include communication in the disciplines, higher education curriculum, mentoring, and peer evaluation of college teaching. She has been named the Southeast Forensics Coach of the Year, the Florida Communication Association’s Teacher of the Year, and is a recipient of the American Forensics Association’s Distinguished Service Award, and UF’s Mort Wolfson Faculty Award for Outstanding Service to UF Students.

Education

• Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration, University of Florida, 2013
• Ed.S. in Higher Education Administration, University of Florida, 2009
• M.A.T. in Speech Communication, University of Florida, 1985
• B.A. in Speech Communication, University of Florida, 1983
• A.A. Lake City Community College, 1981

Courses Taught

• COM 1000:  Introduction to Communication Studies
• COM4930:  Communication and Event Planning
• COM4930: Culinary Communication
• ENC3254:  Speaking & Writing for Business
• ENC3254:  Speaking & Writing for Engineers--Honors
• ENC3254/3459:  Speaking & Writing for Premed Students--Honors
• GEB4956: UF in Beijing: Chinese Commerce & Culture
• GEB5215/5217/6905:  Professional & Executive Communication
• IDH4905:  Competing for Prestigious Scholarships & Awards:  Preparation
• IDH4715:  Professional Development Strategies
• SPC 2300:  Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
• SPC 2600/2608:  Introduction to Public Speaking (& Honors)
• SPC 3541:  Persuasion
• SPC 3594/2594:  Forensics Lab
• SPC 3602:  Advanced Public Speaking
• SLS 1101:  First Year Florida
• SLS 1102:  Enhancing the Freshmen Experience (Debate & the Current Perspective)

Pedagogical/Research Interests

Communication in the Disciplines, Higher Education curriculum, Mentoring, and Peer Evaluation of College Teaching

Honors/Awards

• Distinguished Service Award, American Forensics Association, 2017.
• Morton Wolfson Faculty Award for Outstanding Service to UF Students, UF Student Affairs, September 2007.
• Distinguished Service Award, Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha, National Forensics Honorary, 2004.
• Distinguished Service Award, American Forensics Association, National Individual Events Tournament, 2003.
• Honorary Inductee, UF Savant Organization (recognizing service to UF and the
• Gainesville/Alachua County community), December 2001.
• UF Superior Accomplishment Award, 1998.
• Teacher of the Year, Florida Communication Association, 1996.
• Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, UF Chapter, 1993-1994.