Rate My Professor Laura Prividera

Dr. Laura Prividera serves as Director and Professor in the School of Communication at East Carolina University. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Bowling Green State University (2002), an M.A. in Interpersonal Communication from Bowling Green State University (1998), and a B.S. in Accounting from the University at Albany (1993). Her research interests encompass organizational communication, communication in education, and media messages. Prividera teaches courses in gender and communication, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, organizational communication, communication theory, and communication pedagogy. Her scholarly work has been published in prestigious journals such as Women’s Studies in Communication, Women & Language, Health Communication, Basic Communication Course Annual, Carolinas Communication Annual, and Texas Speech Communication Journal. Representative publications include "Masculinity, Whiteness, and the Warrior Hero: Perpetuating the Strategic Rhetoric of U.S. Militarism and the Marginalization of Women" (Women’s Studies in Communication, 2006, co-authored with John W. Howard III), "Obesity and Health: A Textual Analysis of Consumption Product Advertisements in African American and General Readership Magazines" (2008, co-authored with Linda Kean), and "Health, Weight, and Fitness Messages in Ebony and Essence: A Framing Analysis of Articles in Ebony and Essence Magazines, 1979–2008" (Health Communication, 2014, co-authored with Linda Kean and John W. Howard III).

Prividera joined East Carolina University in the fall of 2003 as an assistant professor in the School of Communication. She advanced to associate director of the school from 2007 to 2021, serving as interim director for three years prior to her current permanent role. As graduate program director from 2007 to May 2021, she spearheaded the development of robust graduate offerings, including M.A. concentrations in health communication and strategic communication, a graduate certificate in health communication, and an accelerated B.S./M.A. program. These initiatives have resulted in a thriving program with over 50 students in both face-to-face and distance education formats, with alumni pursuing careers in teaching, health communication, and organizational training. Additionally, she held positions as interim associate dean of graduate studies (June 2012–February 2014) and permanent associate dean of graduate studies (March 2014–May 2021). Prividera has contributed to university service as a Career Captain for the School of Communication and was selected for the BRIDGES 2012 leadership program for women faculty. Under her leadership, the School of Communication continues to flourish with outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs.