Communication Department : Faculty and Staff

Professor Coleman, APR, brings innovation, enthusiasm, creativity, and the fast pace of the public relations business world into the classroom for students to experience in a safe and nurturing environment. Each course and assignment is specially designed to be:

• grounded in communication theory, systems management, and scientific methods
• emphasis on how key models guide the understanding and decision-making sciences of the public relations role and function
• comprehension of and application of industry-specific knowledge and literature to a wide variety of communication tasks
• building an understanding of how the discipline developed historically, current industry standards, and profession growth opportunities for new practitioners

Professor Coleman, APR, brings the same passion and dedication that led to an award winning career in public relations to her role as an educator at Central Washington University. She has been teaching at Central Washington University since 1997. Coleman is a Distinguished Faculty Fellow of Academic Service Learning and holds committee positions in the PRSA Educator Academy. She has been awarded the CWU Center for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) "Excellence in Leadership" Award (1999)

Her industry background includes serving in high-level positions in international public relations for privately-held companies, corporations, government bodies, international agencies, international diplomacy and trade association relations. She has been awarded numerous accolades for her public relations work including the prestigious Australian "Pursuit of Excellence" Award (1990), regional and national Australian tourism awards for public relations (1989, 1990). In 1993, Coleman opened her own agency in the Puget Sound region of Washington state, serving the small business development industry, agriculture, professional services and international fashion and tourism industries.

"I have taught professional writing (non-fiction), the post-modern novel, courses in a variety of literary genres, creative writing (poetry) and public relations writing since 1978, either full or part-time. I love to teach and write, so becoming a public relations professor was a natural fit for me. It is my driving passion to see the highest standards of public relations brought in to the classroom and applied by students just starting out. Ideals drive our courage and commitment to ethical practice and to stand up for our beliefs. You cannot lead unless you have courage, and it is my dream to see the students gain the skills they need to achieve their greatest dreams and ambitions. Like Jiminy Cricket in his song about wishing on a star, I know that each and every student can choose greatness and kindness, no matter who they are." Coleman, APR, is an educator by day. By night, Coleman is an oil painter, furniture restorer, floral designer, and amateur historian. Coleman has two dogs, Petra and Sammi (pictures), five cats, and a parakeet.

Professor Coleman's office is Bouillon 230 and she can be reached at: colemanb@cwu.edu or (509) 963-1070

Word Documents - Right click, Save As
PR Major Learning Objectives
COM 270
COM 270 outcomes
COM 300
COM 470
COM 475
COM 487 - Special Events
COM 487 Sports Entertainment
COM 489 Portfolio

Power Point Presentations - Right click, Save As
Careers in Public Relations
Getting the Most Out of Your Public Relations Education