Denise Shively, Senior Instructor, Department of Communication

Denise Shively, APR, senior instructor, coordinated the development of the public relations curriculum. Denise teaches in the public relations and health communication programs and in the First Year Experience, Integrative Studies and Senior Year Experience programs. Prior to joining the Communication Department, Denise worked for 16 years in nonprofit public relations, serving as the public relations director for two hospitals and as executive director for the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce. She views her role to be one of a mentor, adviser and “connector” so students may develop the skills and values needed for their professional and personal lives following college. She often integrates service-learning into her courses where students work with local organizations to develop materials, plans and campaigns to meet specific communication and public relations goals. She serves as one of the co-faculty members who takes students to Malawi, Africa, annually in a May term course.

In her personal life, she is actively involved in the sport of synchronized swimming. A previous vice president of the U.S. Synchronized Swimming board of directors and as an international team manager, she traveled with Team USA to many world championships, two Pan American Games, and the 2008 Olympic Games.