Stephenson J. Beck

Professor and Chair

Faculty

Communication

Beck smiling confidently at camera

Areas of Study & Research

As a group communication scholar, Professor Beck's research focuses on conflict management, decision making, and meeting facilitation. He takes a strategic approach to research, meaning that he investigate how individuals adapt their messages to accomplish a multitude of goals. Professor Beck's research tries to assist special education meeting facilitators help children with special needs and social support group facilitators improve outcomes for individuals dealing with cancer or depression. His research also works to improve communicative processes in city councils, nonprofit organizations, and data analyst teams.

Courses Taught

  • COMM 101: Majors and Careers in Communication
  • COMM 212: Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 315: Small Group Communication
  • COMM 316: Conflict Communication
  • Comm 483: Organizational Communication Capstone

Awards & Honors

  • 2023 Ernest Bormann Research Award, NCA Group Communication Division
  • 2019 Dennis Gouran Research Award, NCA Group Communication Division
  • 2019 NDSU Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Lectureship
  • 2015 Outstanding Educator Award, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • 2014 Stanley L. Saxton Applied Research Award
  • 2010 Stanley L. Saxton Applied Research Award
  • 2009 Laura Crowell Dissertation/Thesis Award, National Communication Association, Group Communication Division

Professional Associations

Interdisciplinary Network for Group Research

National Communication Association

Links

University Affiliations

Department of Communication

Education

  • Ph.D., Communication Studies, University of Kansas
  • M.A., Speech Communication, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana
  • B.A., Broadcast Journalism, Brigham Young University

Publications

Beck, S. J., Paskewitz, E. A., & Allen, J. A. (2025). Toward a strategic perspective of meeting participation. Organizational Psychology Review, 15(1) 28-43. https://doi.org/10.1177/20413866231226405

Keyton, J., & Beck, S. J. (2023). Communicating in groups and team: Strategic interactions (5th ed.). Cognella Publishing.

Beck, S. J., Keyton, J., & Poole, M. S. (Eds.) (2022). The Emerald Handbook of Group and Team Communication Research. Emerald Publishing.

Beck, S. J., & Paskewitz, E. A. (2022). An exploratory investigation of teacher perceptions of education and communication at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 6, 83-99. https://doi.org/10.31446/JCP.2022.1.09

Beck, S. J., & DeSutter, K. (2020). An examination of group facilitator challenges and problem-solving techniques during IEP team meetings. Teacher Education and Special Education, 43(2), 127-143. https://doi.org/10.1177/0888406419839766

Presentations

Beck, S. J., Paskewitz, E. A., & Allen, J. A. (2025). Contextualizing Meetings: Individual and Organizational Influences on Group Meeting Communication. Group Communication Division, National Communication Association, Denver, CO. * Top 4 Paper Award

Beck, S. J., Allen, J. A., & Paskewitz, E. A. (2025). Fake it until you make it: How we pretend to participate in group meetings. Interdisciplinary Network for Group Researchers, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.