Stephen Spates

Assistant Professor Michigan State University

East Lansing MI

Stephen A. Spates is a researcher specializing in exploring the source credibility of online messages.

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Michigan State University
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Biography

Stephen A. Spates is a researcher specializing in exploring the source credibility of online messages, effectiveness of workplace diversity programs, and organizational communication within health environments. His research has been published in journals such as Southern Communication Journal, Communication Teacher, Communication Studies, Howard Journal of Communications, Frontiers in Communication, and Communication Research Reports. Recently, Spates completed a grant-funded project with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, providing educational resources to help individuals learn about bias and discrimination. He has a knack for teamwork and collaboration; creating community; celebrating and providing support; listening and brainstorming.

Industry Expertise

Research

Education/Learning

Areas of Expertise

Health Environments

Workplace Diversity Programs

Organizational Communication

Accomplishments

Faculty Excellence in Public Affairs Award

2022

Missouri State University Board of Governors

Pearson and Nelson Outstanding New Teacher Award

2022

Central States Communication Association

Top Research Paper

2021

Instructional Development Division, NCA

Education

The University of Tennessee – Knoxville

Ph.D.

Communication and Information

2017

Western Michigan University

M.A.

Communication Studies

2012

Oakwood University

B.A.

Communication Arts

2009

News

Congratulations, Dr. Spates

InCommon online

2022-07-28

The research of Dr. Stephen Spates has been selected for the 2022 issue of Mind’s Eye, the university’s research publication. His research delves into how people of different cultural and professional backgrounds can effectively work in teams.

Journal Articles

Extending the understanding of online discussions: a replication of online students’ perceptions of identity and helper heuristics

Communication Education

2023

Previous research applied an affordance approach to the literature in instruction and pedagogy. Because of the continued trend in online instruction and course management, there exists a need to study the impact of technological affordances and communication in learning management systems.

The Bear Cave: Using gamification to teach organizational communication

Communication Teacher

2022

Organizational communication has concepts and processes that can be difficult to absorb. Using gamification as a pedagogical strategy, a semester-long project is developed to help students learn through application. The Bear Cave is a class-wide competition where students create an organization and seek a fictional investment of $1,000,000.

Exploring students’ perceptions of identity and helper heuristics in the online classroom discussion board