Karla D. Scott, Ph.D.
Professor; Interim Associate Chair
Department of Communication
Courses Taught
Communicating Across Racial Divisions; Dialogue Facilitation; First Year Dialogue; Gender and Communication; Human Communication and Culture; Intergroup Dialogue; Language, Equity and Inclusion (graduate)
Education
Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, 1995
M.A., Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, 1990
Research Interests
- Race and gender
- Language and culture
- Black women's lived experiences
Publications and Media Placements
Scott, K.D. (2017). The language of strong Black womanhood: Myths models, messages
and a new mandate for self care. Lexington Books.
Scott,K.D. (2016). Young, shifting and Black: Leaving the language of home and back
again—a cautionary tale of crossing race and gender borders. Qualitative Inquiry,
23(3), 119-129.
Scott, K.D (2013) Communication strategies across cultural borders: Dispelling stereotypes,
performing competence and redefining Black womanhood. Women’s Studies in Communication,
36, 312–329.
Honors and Awards
Named 2020 YWCA Leader of Distinction for Racial Justice
2016 Outstanding Journal Article: Young, Shifting and Black: Leaving the language
of home and back again—a cautionary tale of crossing race and gender borders. Qualitative
Inquiry, 2016. Presented by National Communication Association Black Caucus and African
American Communication and Culture Division.
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award, National Communication Association Black Caucus and
African American Communication and Culture Division.
Inducted into the “Wise Women Panel” of the Organization for the Study of Communication
Language and Gender in recognition of service, scholarly contributions and mentoring
efforts.
Saint Louis University Black Alumni Association “Distinguished Black Alumni Service
Award” April 25, 2015.
Organization for the Study of Communication Language and Gender Anita Taylor Outstanding
Published Article or Chapter in an Anthology Award presented October 18, 2014 for:
Communication strategies across cultural borders: Dispelling stereotypes, performing
competence and redefining Black womanhood. Women’s Studies in Communication, 36, pp.
312–329.
Donald G. Brennan Humanitarian Award, January 2013.
2013 Society of African American Studies Ernest Calloway Excellence in Teaching Award.
2010 Phenomenal Woman Award, Presented by the Center for Racial Harmony, Belleville,
Il.
Woman of the Year presented by Saint Louis University Women’s Commission April 21,
2010.
Organization for the Study of Communication Language and Gender “Special Award for
weaving scholarship, teaching, mentoring and community activism to improve the lives
of African American Women” Presented at the OSCLG Annual meeting, St. Louis, MO.,
October, 2006.
Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program McNair Outstanding Faculty
Mentor Award April, 2006
Professional Organizations and Associations
- President, Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender
- National Communication Association
Community Work and Service
Co-Chair of the IAmEStL The Magazine Foundation
Coordinated Faculty Lunch and Learn for Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom and
Curriculum: Seizing opportunities and syllabi revisions. April 2016.
Co-chair of President's Diversity Council 2009-2015.
Organizer and Presenter: Faculty professional development workshop for dialogue facilitation.
October 30, 2014.
Presenter: Social identity differences: diversity and divisions: Taboos, teachable
moment and transformation, Presenter. May 6, 2014.
Planner and convener: East St. Louis 1917 Centennial Commission & Cultural Initiative
Kickoff Conference—The City that Survives: Commemorating the Past, Preparing for the
future. May 26-28, 2017.
East St. Louis Illinois.Commission Member: East St. Louis 1917 Centennial Commission