About the Authors
Mary F. Hoffman (Ph.D., University of Kansas) is associate professor and chair in the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She teaches courses in organizational rhetoric, organizational communication and rhetorical criticism. Her research is concerned with how individuals negotiate organizational demands that conflict with personal values. Her work on three organizations of Benedictine nuns has been published in "Communication Studies, Western Journal of Communication", and" Journal of Communication and Religion". Her work on how individuals and organizations negotiate the idea of work/life balance has appeared in "Qualitative Research Reports in Communication" and "Communication Quarterly".
Debra J. Ford (Ph.D., University of Kansas) is assistant dean for student affairs and research assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Nursing. She also teaches in the University of Kansas Department of Communication Studies. She has worked for twelve years in recruitment, advising and administration in nursing education, and has taught for ten years. She teaches courses in organizational communication, organizational rhetoric, leadership, communication theory and health communication. Her research focuses on strategies used by organizations to influence public policy, group communication processes in public-private partnerships, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. She has published articles in "Communication Theory, Health Communication, Western Journal of Communication, "and "Communication Studies, " among others. She is the principal investigator on a U. S. Dept. of Education GAANN grant.
