When Lisa Menegatos tells people she teaches interpersonal or family communication she says she then often has to follow up by explaining that, no, that doesn't mean she is a therapist.
Why are you at UNLV?
This is my home. I grew up in Las Vegas an earned my master's degree ('04 MA Communication Studies) here at UNLV. When I saw the job opening for the faculty in residence position, I jumped at the opportunity.
What drew you to the field of communication studies?
After working as a television news journalist for a number of years, I got burned out and decided to go back to school to find a new career. Given my journalism background, communication seemed liked a natural fit. While earning my master's, I was given the opportunity to teach interpersonal communication and public speaking courses, and discovered a new passion. I love teaching. Being in the classroom, inspiring and empowering students, helping them learn and grow -- it's a joy and an honor.
What is a misconception many people have about your field?
I think many people aren't sure what communication professors do, in part because our field is so broad and so interdisciplinary. Some assume we study journalism or PR, and other immediately think of the public speaking course they took in college. When I tell people I often teach interpersonal communication or family communication, they usually ask me if I'm a therapist or psychologist; and I am neither.
Tell us about your research concerning parent-child communication regarding college drinking:
We found that when parents talk to their college student children about drinking, they tend to focus on the dangers of drinking and driving, and on not letting partying interfere with school. In short, the range of specific alcohol topics that are frequently discussed tends to be pretty narrow.
Our study also indicated that the more the parents reported discussing rules against drinking, the less their college student children were drinking. Additionally we found that the more the parents talked about the negative aspects of drinking, the more students drank and the more they experienced negative consequences related to their drinking. The study design prohibits us from determining causality. So, for example, it could be that parents talk about the downsides of drinking and then their children go off and drink more; or it could be that parents notice their children are drinking too much and suffering the consequences of that consumption, so they then try to talk to their kids about the negative aspects of drinking.
Finish this sentence, if I weren't able to work in my current field, I would want to be...
... a talk show host.
One tip for success:
Know your heart and have a plan.
What has been the proudest moment of your life?
Helping to take care of my mom during the last year of her life while also earning my doctorate. Earning a Ph.D. is challenging under the best of circumstances, and anyone who has ever had to take care of a sick loved one knows how difficult it can be. Doing both was so hard, but it was also the right thing for my family and for me. Now, whenever I see that Ph.D. next to my name, I like to think of it as an indication that I have some of my mother's strength and resilience.
Tell us something people would be surprised to learn about you.
I am a first-generation college student.
Who is your hero and why?
I don't really have a hero. There are lots of women I admire: Michelle Obama, Oprah, Hillary Rodham Clinton, my mom, etc.
What are your hobbies?
Zumba and yoga.
