Education:
PhD Bowling Green State University, Interpersonal Public Communication 1986
MA Bowling Green State University, Interpersonal Public Communication 1983
BA Bowling Green State University, Interpersonal Public Communication 1982
Areas of Interest
- Organizational Communication
- Social Media
- Business Writing
- Fundraising
- Focus Group Research
- Interpersonal Communication
- Interviewing Skills
- Nonverbal Communication
- Motivational Speaking
- Training
- Community Involvement
- Mentorship
Teaching:
- Interviewing (face-to-face and online)
- Nonverbal Communication (face-to-face and online)
- Organizational Communication
- Public Speaking
- Business and Professional Communication
- Immersive Learning
- Internships
Awards:
- Community Connections, College of Communication, Information and Media, Fall 2012.
- Trank Award, Top Paper in the Basic Course Division. Central States Communication Association Spring 2011.
- Core Competency, College of Communication, Information and Media, Fall 2006.
Immersive Learning Experience:
- Spring 2013 - TEAMwork for Quality Living/Poverty Awareness Year.
- 2012-2013 - Innovation Connector/L-Inc.
- 2011-2012 - Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children: CASA.
- 2010-2011 - SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business
- 2010 Spring - Livable Communities. Muncie Action Plan
- 2009 Fall - Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry: Aging Well in East Central Indiana
- 2008-2009 - Habitat for Humanity/ReStore
- 2007-2008 - IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital/Volunteer Resources and Emergency Department
- 2006-2007 - CVC Communications
Grants:
- CCIM Micro-Grant, 2013, $275
- Technology Fellow, 2000-2001, $2,500
- Instructional Development, 1999-2000, $1,000
- University College, 1999-2000, $1,500
- Faculty Development, 1998-1999, $1,500
- Provost Grant, 1997-1998, $3,200
- Dean’s Grant, 1997-1998, $350.00
- Teleplex Grant, 1996-1997, $4,000
- New Faculty Grant, 1996-1997, $317
Publications:
Book
- Byers P. Y. (Ed.). (1997). Organizational Communication: Theory and Behavior. Boston: Allyn and Bacon Publishers
- Byers, P.Y. (1997). Instructor’s Manual for Organizational Communication: Theory and Behavior. Boston: Allyn and Bacon Publishers
Chapters and Reprinted Selections
- Byers P.Y., Zeller, R., and Byers, B. (2002). Focus group methods. In M. W. Wiederman, & B. E. Whitley (Eds.) Handbook for Conducting Research on Human Sexuality. (pp. 173-195). Nahway, NJ: Erlbaum
- Byers, P.Y. (1997). The process and perspectives of organizational communication. In P.Y. Byers, (Ed.), Organizational Communication: Theory and Behavior (pp. 3-38). Boston: Allyn and Bacon Publishers
- Byers, B., Zeller, R., & Byers, P.Y. (1993). Birthdate and mortality: An evaluation of the death-dip/death-rise phenomenon. In B. Byers, (Ed.). Readings in Social Psychology: Perspective and Method (pp. 54-63). Boston: Allyn and Bacon Publishers. (Original work published in 1991)
Articles
- Fisher, P. B. (Summer, 2011). We threw away the syllabus: Lessons learned in a public speaking classroom. NSEE Perspectives. (1), 27-34
- Klingel-Dowd, S., Fisher, P. B., & Fisher, M. D. (2008). Creating graduate education partnership within the university and community. National Society for Experiential Education Quarterly.
- Byers, P.Y., & Byers, B. (1998). Focus group research and juries: Literature and applications: Collected Papers of the National Jury Project: Midwest. Also included in the Depository of the American Society of Trial Consultants
- Byers, P.Y. (1998). Case studies in the organizational communication course: Applying textbook concepts to real life organizations. East Lansing, MI: National Center for Research on Teacher Learning. (ERIC Document Reproductive Service No. ED 421 727)
- Byers, P.Y., Wilcox, J.R. (1998). Focus groups: An alternative method of gathering qualitative data in communication research. East Lansing, MI: National Center for Research on Teacher Learning. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED)
- Byers, P.Y., & Weber, C.S. (1995). The timing of speech anxiety reduction treatments in the public speaking classroom. Southern Communication Journal, 60 (3), 246-256
- Byers, P.Y., & Overdorf, S.A. (1993-1994). Female perspectives on romantic marital jealousy. The Speech Communication Annual, 8, 61-80
- Byers, B., Zeller, R., & Byers, P.Y. (1993). Birthdate and mortality: An Evaluation of the death-dip/death-rise phenomenon. Sociological Focus, 24(1), 13-28
- Byers, P.Y., & Wilcox, J.A. (1991). Focus groups: A qualitative opportunity for researchers. The Journal of Business Communication, 28(1), 63-78
- Byers, P.Y., & Tucker, R.K. (1987). Factorial validity of Merz’s psychological reactance scale. Psychological Reports, 6, 811-815.
Community Involvement:
- Feed My Sheep Muncie, Inc. 1999-present. Chairperson, 2012-present. The FMS annual event on Thanksgiving Day prepares approximately 1,000 meals for those in need and provides free bags of groceries.
- IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital: 1999-present. Volunteer in areas such as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Cancer Center, Emergency Department, Cardiac Care, and Transportation.
- Habitat for Humanity: 2005-Present. Dreambuilders member.
Service:
- Chair, University Diversity Committee, 2012-2013
- Assistant Chair, University Diversity Committee, 2011-2012
- Secretary, University Diversity Committee, 2008-2009
- Member, University Diversity Committee member, 2008-2013
- Disabled Student Development Faculty Mentor, 2006-2013
- Member, Provost’s Prize Review Board, 2006-2010
- Faculty Advisor, Feminists for Action student organization, 1999-2009
- Member, Provost’s Diversity Task Force, 2006-2007
- Member, BSU North Central Accreditation Task Force Assessment and Planning Subcommittee, 2001-2004
- Member, BSU University Senate, 2001-2004
- Member, BSU University Senate Governance Committee, 2001-2004
- Member, BSU NCAA Certification Self-Study Gender and Minority Equity Subcommittee, 2001
- Member, American Council on Educational Leadership for Change Committee, 1998-2000
- Member, CCIM Diversity Interest Group 2005-2013
- Member, CCIM Promotion and Tenure Committee, 2003-2005, 2007-2008, 2010-2011
- Member, CCIM Symposium Interest Group, 2007-08
- Member, CCIM Dean’s Search Committee, 2003-2004
- Member, CCIM Week Planning Committee, 2000
- Member, CCIM Innovation Center Task Force, 2000
- Member, Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committee, 2003-2013
- Departmental Representative, Honors in Writing Program, 2002-2013
- Chair, Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committee, 2003-2005, 2007-08, 2010-2011
- Departmental Diversity Plan Task Force co-chair, 2004-2005
- Member, Departmental Advisory Committee, 1998-2002