FULL TIME FACULTY

Joann Brown earned her B.A. in American Studies and Sociology from Simmons College, in Boston, and her M.A. from the University of Miami in Communication.  She has authored several textbooks in the areas of public speaking and intercultural communication. She conducts many seminars at Florida International University and the Greater Miami area on these subjects. Additionally, she offers specialized instruction on public speaking as the director of  the Oral Presentation Lab at Florida International University. The courses Professor Brown teaches includes Intercultural Communication (COM 3461), Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110), Interpersonal Communication (SPC 3301) Gender Communication (SPC 33711), Public Speaking (SPC 2608) and Advanced Public Speaking (SPC 3602).  Professor Brown also Chairs the Speech Communication Department at Florida International University.

Ellen Karsh earned her B.A. in History from the University of Memphis and a M.S. in International Education from Florida International University.  She has received a grant from the Academy for the Art of Teaching to research and produce instructional videos in Public Speaking using Contemporary Films. In addition to teaching Public Speaking (SPC 2608), Professor Karsh teaches a course in Voice and Diction (SPC 2050) in the Speech Communication Department at Florida International University.

Kathleen Watson earned a B.A. in Education with teaching certificates in Speech and Drama, English, and Journalism from the University of Florida.  She also received an M.A. from the University of Miami with a major in Community College Teaching and a minor in English. Her post-graduate work also included studies in communication at the University of Miami, St. Thomas University, and Barry University. Before joining the faculty at Florida International University she taught Public Speaking at Miami-Dade College where she also served as the Director of the Speech Lab. She teaches Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110) in the Speech Communication Department at Florida International University.

Brian Schriner earned his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Miami and his Ph.D from Saint Moritz University. Professor Schriner has authored four books on communication and numerous articles on conflict resolution. He has also conducted seminars throughout the country on communication and business writing skills. He is the Associate Dean of Academics Affairs for the College of Architecture + The Arts. He teaches Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110).

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Elaine Cichon earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Tennessee and her Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Miami.  At Vanderbilt University, she earned 18 graduate semester hours in English.  She has authored articles that are published in Communication Quarterly, Communication Teacher, and World Communication.  As a Senior Communication Consultant for General Physics Corporation, she developed Teambuilding and Interpersonal Communication training for the U.S. Agency for International Development, where she conducted the training in Europe, Africa and South America.  Additionally, she has been a corporate communication consultant for General Motors, DuPont, and Ford.  She was a visiting professor at Barry University and Broward State College and a full time professor at FIU.  Ms.Cichon teaches Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110).

Fernando Ganivet received a B.A. in Mass Communication with a minor in International Marketing from the University of Miami. He pursued a career in sales and new market development with Weyerhaeuser Company, where he traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean Basin opening new markets for building products.  Professor Ganivet returned to school and received a M.S. in Mass Communication from Florida International University and entered the doctoral program in higher education. Professor Ganivet teaches Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110) in the Speech Communication Department at Florida International University as well as courses for the English Department.

Alisa Karten earned her B.A. in Speech Communication from Ithaca College and her M.S. in Corporate Public Relations from Boston University.  She pursued an extensive career in public relations serving prestigious clients such as the U.S. Army Reserve and the United Nations.  In 2003, she received an Excellence in Teaching Award from Nova Southeastern University were she has taught Human Communication, Argument and Debate, and Public Speaking.  Karten teaches Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110), COmmunincation Theory (SPC 3210) and Intercultural Communication (COM 3461) for the Speech Communication Department at Florida International University.

Phillip King earned a B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University, an M.S. in Communication Studies from Portland State University and a PhD.  in Higher Education Administration from George Washington University.  Professor King is the Director of Enrollment and Retention Management for the College of Arts & Sciences for Florida International University.  Additionally, he teaches Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110) for the Speech Communication Department.

Steve Luscher earned a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in Linguistics from Florida International University and has 18 graduate credits of Speech Communication at Florida Atlantic University.  He currently teaches Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110) and Intercultural Communication (COM 3461) for the Speech Communication Department at Florida International University.

María Inés Marino received a M.S. in Mass Communication from Florida International University and an M.A. in Education from Nova Southeastern University. Professor Marino teaches Public Speaking (SPC 2608) and Intercultural Communication (COM 3461) for the Speech Communication Department.

Lillian Poms received her B.A. from the University of Florida and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University.  She taught accent reduction, voice and diction, and public speaking at Miami Dade Community College.   Professor Poms served as Executive Director of the Hearing and Speech Center of Florida since 1986 through 2006.  She has co-authored English Pronunciation for Spanish Speakers, English Pronunciation for International Students and Pronunciation Made Simple published by Pearson Education Inc. and a pronunciation program for Berlitz International. She is a founding member and past President of the Miami Association of Communication Specialists, from which she received honors in 1986. In 2002, she was awarded the “Clinical Career Award” by the Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.  She teaches Public Speaking (SPC 2608) for the Speech Communication Department at Florida International University. 

Pawena Sirimangkala earned her doctorate degree in Communication with a specialty in Intercultural Communication from Kent State University, in Ohio. Her research has been primarily aimed at explaining the role of communication in the intercultural communication relational process. She has conducted research among African Americans, Asians, Caucasians, and Latinos in the United States. During her 2-year faculty appointment at the University of Arizona, she wrote a book chapter on Listening in Intercultural Context and conducted intercultural communication workshops for the staff and student populations. She is an Associate Professor at Barry University and at Florida International University, she teaches Business and Professional Communication (COM 3110).