Jennifer A. Sandoval
Assistant Professor of Communication, College of Sciences
Highlighted Faculty • Assistant Professor and Graduate Faculty at the Nicholson School of Communication
• Ph.D. in Communication and Culture, University of New Mexico
• Master’s of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law
• Joined UCF in August of 2011
Jennifer brings her experience as a mediator, project manager, trainer and consultant to the classroom and her research program here at UCF. Jennifer’s research focuses on the communicative elements involved in the intersection of identity, the female body and health policy. Currently, she is continuing to investigate these elements in the context of fertility tourism- specifically international surrogacy in India. She also continues work with community based-participatory research projects focusing on health intervention in underserved and underrepresented populations. Jennifer has published this research with her colleagues in journals such as Health Education Research, Communication Monographs and the Journal of International and Intercultural Communication.
At UCF, Jennifer teaches courses in the areas of qualitative research methods, interpersonal, intercultural and gender communication. Her goal is to create critical learning environments where students feel comfortable engaging their social worlds in collaboration with others. Jennifer sees the classroom as an opportunity to partner with students and motivate them to value human experiences in new ways – broadening their awareness, consciousness and compassion.
While pursuing her doctorate at the University of New Mexico, Jennifer was the recipient of an Evrett Rogers Doctoral Graduate Scholar Award, the Hank R. Trewitt Departmental Service Award, the Dean’s Outstanding Doctoral Applicant Award and was a nominee for the Susan Deese Roberts Teaching Assistant of the Year Award.
Jennifer has dedicated her personal time to working with survivors of sexual assault and interpersonal violence and is hopeful that research and community engagement can improve the lives of women around the globe.
