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University College Faculty

Karen Kaser

Program Director/Senior Lecturer

Office: S601E
713-226-5219
kaserk@uhd.edu

Scholarships

Generally, my educational and research focuses are on business/organizational administration, administrative management, and business education. More specifically, my educational and research focuses are on communication, critical thinking, team building, and technology in business/organizational settings. At the heart of successful business/organizational communication is the ability to identify the idea that must be communicated; the audience to whom the idea is to be communicated; and the proper channel through which the message will be communicated. This identification process relies heavily on a person's ability to think critically. Therefore, a crucial aspect of my educational focus is on providing students with the tools to develop their ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Students who are able to hone their critical thinking skills are better able to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally. Effective critical thinkers and communicators are better able to accurately identify problems and solutions, lead and persuade people, and recognize the strengths and weaknesses of past, present, and future decisions. Whether in private or public sector settings, students must have the ability to think critically and communicate effectively.

Research and academic interests include business/organizational communication, critical thinking, team building, and the technology used for communicating in business and organizational settings. Specifically, my research interest is on the strategic use of effective business/organizational communication techniques to lead, persuade, and manage people and to solve problems. Among those techniques are recognizing and mitigating communication barriers that inhibit successful communication; using technology to communicate effectively; and employing the team approach to solve business/organizational and communication problems. At the root of successful problem solving is the ability to think critically: to recognize if and when a problem exists, to examine the issues and events that led to the problem, to scrutinize all aspects of the problem, to develop possible solutions to the problem to choose the best solution, to implement the solution, and to judge the effectiveness of the solution. Critical thinking is also crucial to developing the message that will inform, persuade, and lead others in support of those solutions. Most of my research is pedagogical and relates to effective curricula and instructional methods for providing students with the tools to be adept critical thinkers and effective communicators.

Robbins, Ruth, Shohreh Hashemi, and Karen C. Kaser (2014), "The Computer Literacy Course Revisited Part One – Freshman Seminar." Proceedings of the 50th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Educators in Texas (ACET).

Hashemi, Shohreh, Ruth Robbins, and Karen C. Kaser (2014), "The Computer Literacy Course Revisited Part Two – Transfer Student Seminar." Proceedings of the 50th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Educators in Texas (ACET).

Kaser, Karen C, and Madeline Johnson (2011), "Removing Communication Barriers through Course Instruction." Proceedings of the 76th Annual Convention of the Association for Business Communication, Online.

Kaser, Karen C., and Madeline Johnson (2011), "Diversity Education and Improved Team Interactions." Business Studies Journal, Volume 3, Special Issue, Number 1, pp. 79-93.

Kaser, K., M. Johnson and D. Francis (2008), "Teaching Critical Thinking, Team Building and Business Research Early Improves Student Preparation for Later Business Courses." Conference Proceedings of the International Academy of Business and Public Administrative Disciplines, Volume 5, Number 3, pp. 1110-1121.

Kaser, Karen C. (October 1999), "The Virtual Workplace: Preparing Business Students for the 21st Century." Texas Business Education Journal, Volume VII, Number 1.

Kaser, Karen C. Success on the Job: Communicating Clearly. Portland, ME: J. Weston Walch Publishers, April 1998, 128 pp.

Ashe-Jones, Carolyn and Karen C. Kaser. (March 1997), "Case Study Development as a Learning Tool for Effective Communication." Association for Business Communication—Southwest Federation of Affiliated Disciplines refereed proceedings.

Mountain-Plains Business Education Association Collegiate Teacher of the Year, 1999
Texas Business Education Association State Collegiate Teacher of the Year, 1998
UHD Best Professor, Spring 1998, presented by UHD student Toastmasters chapter
Texas Business Education Association District 4 Collegiate Teacher of the Year, 1997
Nebraska BEST Award, 1994, 1995, 1996
Texas Business Education Association District 4 Collegiate Teacher of the Year, 1992

Last updated 11/6/2020 5:09 AM