Betty Farmer

Professor Western Carolina University

  • Cullowhee NC

Betty Farmer's specialty areas include gender communication, crisis communication and communication skills training.

Contact

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Biography

Dr. Betty Farmer is a professor of communication and public relations at Western Carolina University. She is an award-winning teacher, scholar, and communications practitioner. Her specialty areas include gender communication, crisis communication and communication skills training.

Betty has held various leadership positions at WCU, including provost fellow for engagement, assistant to the chancellor for Dillsboro, faculty fellow for mentoring and department head. As a consultant and trainer, she has led numerous communication training sessions for a wide variety of organizations.

She launched her own consulting firm, Farmer Communications, dedicated to "Growing Better Communicators," in 2016.

Industry Expertise

Education/Learning
Public Relations and Communications

Areas of Expertise

Public Speaking
Communication Skills Training
Gender Communication
Crisis Communication
Public Relations

Accomplishments

Communitas Award

2012

Assoc. of Marketing and Communication Professionals

Hermes Creative Award

2013

Assoc. of Marketing and Communication Professionals for Dillsboro Mobile Web App Launch

College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award

Western Carolina University

Education

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

M.S.

Journalism

1988

University of Virginia's College at Wise

B.A.

English & Communication

1986

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Ph.D.

Communication

1993

Affiliations

  • Mission Health Marketing and Communications Advisory Council

Languages

  • English

Media Appearances

WCU’s Betty Farmer completes certification program from ISEI

The Sylva Herald  online

2021-07-14

Betty Farmer, professor of communications at Western Carolina University and business consultant and trainer, has earned a Social and Emotional Intelligence Coaching Certification from the Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence.

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WCU professor has passion for fitness

The Western Carolina Journalist  online

2012-11-26

Unassuming; That is the first word that comes to mind when you see Betty Farmer walking through the hallways of Stillwell Building. This five foot tall, blond, former collegiate cheerleader may appear harmless but there are many people at the Jackson County Recreation Department that would argue that point with you. Farmer is a fitness powerhouse.

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WCU earns national recognition for community engagement efforts

Carolina Public Press  online

2015-01-08

Although many faculty and staff members have been involved in community service projects, Betty Farmer, a WCU professor of communication who previously served as the university’s special assistant to the chancellor for Dillsboro, was the primary architect of the university’s submission for the Carnegie reclassification as a community-engaged institution, Burton said. Farmer worked closely with Perry of the Center for Service Learning and with David Onder of the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness over two semesters to compile the extensive report.

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Articles

Gender differences in public relations students' career attitudes: A benchmark study

Public Relations Review

1999

Numerous articles have examined differences in men's and women's experiences in public relations, but few studies have explored students' perceptions of gender issues. This study fills that gap.

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The Role of Communication in Achieving Shared Vision Under New Organizational Leadership

Journal of Public Relations Research

1998

In this article, we report the results of a longitudinal survey research project of an organization undergoing leadership change. The study determined the relationships between members' "shared vision" of the organization's goals and a number of communication-related activities.

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