Elaine Zelley, Ph.D.

Dr. Elaine Zelley is an Associate Professor of Communication and teaches primarily in the Interpersonal Communication and Public Relations Concentrations. She has also co-authored five editions of Applying Communication for Professional Life with Sage Publications, Inc., and currently directs the University’s Core Curriculum (general education program).

Outside of the classroom, Elaine is a podcast and fitness enthusiast and enjoys kayaking, hiking, beach-going, and traveling with her family.

Areas of Expertise
Interpersonal Communication

Relationships

Friendship

Gender Roles

Gender and Communication

Workplace Communication

Organizational Communication

Education

Ph.D., Speech Communication (interpersonal emphasis), Penn State University, University Park, PA

M.A., Speech Communication (interpersonal emphasis), Penn State University, University Park, PA

B.A., Communication Arts, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA

Teaching 

Communication Theory & Research 

Communication Training & Development  

Communication Ethics 

Communicating Sex, Gender, & Sexuality  

Interpersonal Communication 

Organizational Communication 

Social Media

Research
Publications

Zelley, E. D., & Dougherty, K. (2010). Instructor’s Resource: A Teaching Site for Applying communication theory for professional life (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Dainton, M. D., & Zelley, E. D. (2006). Social Exchange Theories: Interdependence and Equity. In D.O. Braithwaite & L.A. Baxter (Eds.), Engaging theories in family communication: Multiple perspectives . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Dainton, M.D., Zelley, E.D., & Langan, E. (2003). Maintaining friendships throughout the lifespan. In D.J. Canary & M.D. Dainton (Eds.), Maintaining relationships through communication: Relational, contextual, and cultural variations (pp. 79-102). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Books

Dainton, M. D., & Zelley, E. D. (2010). Applying communication theory for professional life: A practical introduction (2 nd ed.) . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Dainton, M. D., & Zelley, E. D. (2005). Applying communication theory for professional life: A practical introduction . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Presentations

Zelley, E. D. (2011, April). The personal as professional: Examining professors’ s elf-disclosure in the communication classroom. Panel presentation for the Instructional Communication Division. Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA), Arlington, VA.

Zelley, E. D. (2010, April). Teaching “naked” or teaching “teched:” Technology in the communication classroom.Panel presentation for the Instructional Communication Division. Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA), Baltimore, MD.

Zelley, E. D. (2007, November). What Not to Wear: Sending Nonverbal Messages. Instructional training module presented for the Great Ideas for Teaching Students (GIFTS) Division. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association (NCA), Chicago, IL.