As the President of the International Listening Association (ILA) and a Certified Listening Professional, I led a global network of scholars, practitioners, and educators who are dedicated to advancing the research and practice of listening in various contexts and domains. My mission is to foster a culture of listening that enhances personal, professional, and social well-being, and to advocate for the importance of listening as a vital skill for effective communication and collaboration.I have over 14 years of experience as an Associate Professor of Communication at Missouri Western State University, where I teach and mentor students in courses such as Health Communication, Public Relations Campaigns, Nonverbal Behavior, Social Media and Marketing, and Crisis and Risk Communication. I am also the Program Director of the Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education, a biennial event that showcases the best practices and innovations in experiential education. My research interests include health communication, listening pedagogy and cognition, digital self-harm, and strategic communication. I have published multiple articles and book chapters, and received several awards and recognitions for my academic and professional contributions.