Dr. Varner is a Professor of Communication at St. Edward’s University (Austin, TX). She holds a Ph.D. in Communication with an emphasis in Performance Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She teaches basic courses in communication, communication theory, nonverbal communication, public speaking, and active listening.
Dr. Varner possesses a strong interest in qualitative research, particularly in analyzing women of color in American higher education, hair/body politics, and encouraging active listening in the classroom. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, she has a wealth of knowledge to offer. Her expertise includes classroom instruction, leadership, lecturing, and coaching, with a focus on enhancing communication skills, listening strategies, and oral interpretation. She is also an accomplished performer, director, and adapter of poetry, prose, non-fiction, and theatrical projects. Moreover, she has gained experience in editing and writing academic research papers and presenting scholarly presentations in written and performance-based formats at national conventions.
Dr. Varner is an active member of the National Communication Association (NCA) member and the International Listening Association (ILA). She has served as a department chair, faculty senator, and doctoral mentor. She is also a proud supporter of the C.R.O.W.N. Act. Currently, she serves on the editorial board for the International Journal of Listening (IJL). Her current research focuses on examining the metacognitive listening strategies of L1 listeners in the United States.
Academic Appointments
- Professor of Communication, 2022
- Associate Professor of Communication 2014- 2022 (Tenured, Fall 2016)
- Interim Department Chair, 2016-10/09/2016
- Department Chair, Communication, 2013-2016
- Assistant Professor of Communication, 2009-2014
- Interim Area Coordinator, Communication 05/2013-08/2013
- Course Coordinator, COMM 1317 - Presentational Speaking 09/2009-05/2013
- Visiting Professor of Communication 2008-2009
- Adjunct Faculty 08/2007-08/2008
Languages Spoken
English
- Ph.D., 2003 - University of Texas, Austin, TX
- M.A., 1996 - Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
- B.S., 1993 - Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Honors and Awards
- 2016 Technology for Innovative Learning & Teaching Pilot Project Grant Recipient, $5,000
- 2014 Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Advisor, School of Humanities, University Winner
- 2013 Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Advisor, School of Humanities
Community Service
- (2014, July), "Public Speaking, the TCF Message, and Active Listening." Day-long workshop (Saturday, July 26,2014) given to the Team Single Jingles: Speakers’ Bureau, Austin TX; LBJ Room on the 2nd Floor. Radisson Hotel, 111 Cesar Chavez at Congress, Austin, TX 78701
- (2014, February), "So You Think You’re A Good Listener!, " Multicultural Awareness Conference for
Leadership; Part of a day-long conference; this45 minute workshop is given to students wanting to engage in dialogue about multicultural and diversity issues such as racial equality, gender equality, socioeconomic issues, etc. in relation to leadership. St. Edward’s University, Ragsdale 3rd Floor; 3001 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 - (2013, June). "Public Speaking, the TCF Message, and Media Training." Day-long workshop given to the Team Single Jingles: Speakers’ Bureau, Austin TX; LBJ Room on the 2nd Floor. Radisson Hotel, 111 Cesar Chavez at Congress, Austin, TX 78701
Organizations, Boards and Memberships
- National Communication Association (NCA)
- International Listening Association (ILA)
- University of Texas Alumni Association
- Eastern Michigan University Alumni Association
- Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA)
- Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Incorporated (DST), 04/96
Conferences
- Varner, T. (2014, November). "100 Years of Listening Theory, Research, Pedagogy, and Practice" Chair, National Communication Association (NCA)., Panel accepted for presentation at the 100th Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.
- Varner, T. (2014, November). "Our Collective Voices: Shared Narratives of Female Scholars’ NCA Journey" Panelist, National Communication Association (NCA)., Panel accepted for presentation at the 100th Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.
- Varner, T. (2013, November). “Teaching Listening: CONNections & Undergraduate Courses” Chair & Presenter, National Communication Association (NCA)., Panel accepted for presentation at the 99th Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
- Varner, T. (2009, November). “From Personal to Universal: Yes We Can! Changing the Isolation of Cancer,” Chair & Presenter, National Communication Association (NCA)., 95th Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois
Research
My research interests include the (Re)Discovering Metacognitive Listening Strategies in First Language (L1) Contexts. This project will add to the literature (Janusik,L.A.,&Keaton,S. (2013) of metacognitive strategies being used in teaching listening in first language contexts. What is significant about this line of research is that metacognitive listening strategies, not cognitive listening strategies, have found greater success in student comprehension and the distinction between the two has important implications for teaching and instruction.
Publications
- Janusik, L. A., & Varner, T. (2020). (Re)discovering metacognitive listening strategies in L1 contexts: What strategies are the same in the L1 and L2 context?. *International Journal of Listening*, 1-12.
- Varner, T.L. (2015). So You Want to Be a Communication Major? Opportunities in the 21st Century. In Communication for the Curious: Why Study Communication (pp.23-30). Canberra, Australia: Curious Academic Publishing.
- Varner, T. L. (2013). “Question and Answer Session,” Guide B (G7-G9), O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., & Rubenstein, H.; A Speaker’s Guidebook: Text and Reference. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s.
- Kopec, R. & Walter, P. & Varner, T. L. (2013). “Science Presentations,” Guide C (G10-G12), O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., & Rubenstein, H. A Speaker’s Guidebook: Text and Reference. 5th ed.Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s.
- Varner, T. L. (2013). “Speech Rubrics,”; Guide D (G13-G16), O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., & Rubenstein, H. A
Speaker’s Guidebook: Text and Reference. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s. - Martinez, S.P., & Varner, T. (2010). COMM 1317 workbook. (2nd Ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing.
Presentations
- Varner, T. (2015, November). "(Re)Discovering Metacognitive Listening Strategies" Presenter, National Communication Association (NCA)., 101st Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV., November 19-22.
- Varner, T. (2014, November). "Our Collective Voices: Shared Narratives of Female Scholars’ NCA Journey" Panelist, National Communication Association (NCA)., Panel accepted for presentation at the 100th Annual Convention, Chicago, IL
- Varner, T. (2014, October) “Adolescent and Young Adult (AYAs) Cancer Related Stories: TXT MSG Shut-up and listen already” European Listening and Healthcare Conference. Radboud REshape & Innovation Centre of the Radboud Medical Centre in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Varner, T. (2013, November). “Teaching Listening: CONNections & Undergraduate Courses” Chair & Presenter, National Communication Association (NCA)., Panel accepted for presentation at the 99th Annual Convention, Washington, DC