Diane M. Badzinski

Dr. Diane M. Badzinski (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison) is Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication at Colorado Christian University. Relationships—she teaches and writes on the role of communication in building strong, faith-filled relationships. After all, what’s more important in life than our relationship with God, self, and others?

Diane has authored several books on relationships.

An Essential Guide to Interpersonal Communication: Building Great Relationships with Skill, Faith, and Virtue in the Age of Social Media (with Quentin Schultze, Baker, 2015) identifies keys to relational flourishing—show gratitude, listen attentively, encourage others, promote peace, extend forgiveness, celebrate together—and offers a Christian perspective on the influence of social media on relationships.

Family Communication and the Christian Faith: An Introduction and Exploration (with Jonathan Pettigrew, Integratio Press) helps readers develop informed attitudes and habits that will sustain godly and rewarding family experiences throughout their lives. This text presents researched-based, biblically-informed practical advice on topics that families face, including how to love and connect with one another, handle conflict, give and receive forgiveness, develop resilience to life’s inevitable stressors, manage daily household tasks, strengthen marriages, train children, and leave family legacies.

Diane’s research also focuses on the ways social media helps or hinders the spread of faith-based messages. This work has been published in several edited volumes: Evangelicals and Popular Culture: Pop Goes the Gospel (Praeger); and, Words and Witnesses: Communication Studies in Christian Thought from Athanasius to Desmond Tutu (Hendrickson).

Diane has taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in communication research and in interpersonal, family, cross-cultural, and nonverbal communication, among others. She has received awards for her research and teaching including a “Faculty Scholarship” award, Colorado Christian University, an “Outstanding Affiliate Faculty” award, Spring Arbor University, as well as “Apple Awards” for contributions to students and “Favorite Professor” awards presented from student athletes to their favorite teacher, Colorado Christian University.

She lives in Colorado with her husband Jon, and they have three adult children. The family enjoys spending vacations together whether on the beach or in the mountains. And, they all know that Diane (mom) is especially happy when they get together to play cards and board games.

Learn more about Diane: https://www.ccu.edu/spotlights/faculty/dbadzinski/