Undergraduate
At Cornerstone University, you’ll get the full college experience with a Christ-centered worldview. Learn more about the undergraduate experience below.
Transform + Achieve
Persevere in what you know you’re capable of. Our programs for adults provide a creative approach to learning anchored in Christ-centered virtues as you follow your unwavering purpose.
Transform + Achieve
Go further as an influencer in your work and community. Our graduate programs prepare you to open new doors as you reach your God-given potential.
Grand Rapids
Theological Seminary
At Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, we're dedicated to learning, serving and leading through rigorous scholarship and a humble approach to Scripture.
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About
Education
- Ph.D., Communication, Michigan State University
- M.A., Communication, Purdue University
- B.A., Speech Communication, Cedarville College
Research Interests
- Health communication
- Intercultural communication
- Vocational calling
Desiree Duff, Ph.D.
- Professor of Communication and Media
- Communication, Media & Music Division Chair
- Traditional Undergraduate Communication, Media & Music Division
Education
- Ph.D., Communication, Michigan State University
- M.A., Communication, Purdue University
- B.A., Speech Communication, Cedarville College
Research Interests
- Health communication
- Intercultural communication
- Vocational calling
Dr. Desiree Duff is a professor of communication at Cornerstone University and the Communication, Media & Music Division chair. She has faithfully served Cornerstone for over 20 years and is passionate about helping communication students reach their goals and achieve their potential.
Dr. Duff received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Cedarville University and her Master of Arts in Communication from Purdue University. She received her Ph.D. in Communication from Michigan State University.
In her spare time, Dr. Duff enjoys traveling, playing Dr. Mario with her husband and masterminding adventures for her entire family.
Hobbies
- Travel
- Strategy games
- Podcasts and audiobooks
Campus Involvement
- Undergraduate Academic Council
- NetVUE Faculty Fellow
- Study Abroad Trip Leader
- International Programs Committee
Publications
- Duff, D. C., Levine, T. R., Beatty, M. J., Woolbright, J., & Park, H. S. (2007). Testing Public Anxiety Treatments Against a Credible Placebo. Communication Education, 56(1), 72-88. Note: Article of the Year, 2007 Communication Apprehension Division of National Communication Association
- Duff, D. C., Singhal, A., & Witte, K. (2006). Health literacy and mass-mediated interventions: Effects of Taru, a reproductive health soap opera in India. Studies in Communication Sciences, 5(2), 171-182.
- Ferrara, M., Duff, D., & Witte, K. (2004). Trusted Partner Baseline. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs.
- Mattson, C., & Duff, D. C. (2004). Professor or poulterer? Cultivating religious higher education in the postmodern turn. Christian Scholar's Review, 33(3), 333-344.
- Duff, D., Muthuswamy, N., Witte, K., & Singhal, A. (2003). A Sentinel Site Survey Assessing Effects of Taru Pre-Show and Post-Show. Athens, OH: Ohio University.
- Duff, D. C., & Witte, K. (2003). Health literacy and numeracy: Overcoming barriers to health promotion and disease prevention. Baltimore, MD: Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins University.
- Muthuswamy, N., Duff, D., Witte, K., & Singhal, A. (2003). A Quasi-Experiment Comparing Four Entertainment Education Groups. Athens, OH: Ohio University.
Presentations
- Duff, D., Graves, D., Chair. De La O, F., Glenny, J. Duff, D, English, A. Herb, R. & Berry, M. (2018, November) When Christians Play, God Smiles. Panel presented at National Communication Association. Salt Lake City, UT.
- Duff, D., Chair. Berry, M., English, A., Glenny, J. & Herb, R. (2016, November) Women’s Voices: Civic Engagement of Their Times. Panel presented at National Communication Association. Philadelphia, PA.
- Bonzo, M., Duff, D., Stevens, M. (2012, October) Walking the Boundary Land: A Neighborly Approach to Technology. Panel presented at Baylor Symposium on Faith and Culture: Technology and Human Flourishing. Waco, TX.
- Ferrara, M. Duff, D. Asada, K. & Witte, K. (2005, February) Trusting practitioners and trusting partners: A test to determine whether HIV prevention in Namibia is easy as saying the ABCs. Paper presented at Western States Communication Association. San Francisco, CA. Note: Top Three Paper
- Duff, D., Levine, T., Beatty, M. and Woolbright, J. (2004, November) Testing public speaking anxiety treatment techniques with a placebo-control. Paper presented at the National Communication Association, Chicago, IL. Note: Top Four Paper
- Muthuswamy, N. & Duff, D. (2004, November A cross-cultural assessment of the conceptual equivalence of communication apprehension. Paper presented at the National Communication Association, Chicago, IL.
- Duff, D., Witte, K., Muthuswamy, N. & Singhal, A. (2004, September) Entertainment-Education and health literacy: Effects of Taru, a radio soap opera in India. Paper presented at 4th International Entertainment Education Conference for Social Change, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Muthuswamy, N., Witte, K., Duff, D., & Singhal, A. (2004, September) Intervening with differential modalities and intensities of entertainment education in rural India: Implications for research and practice. Paper presented at 4th International Entertainment Education Conference for Social Change, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Duff, D. C. (2003, November). The power of weakness: Theorizing the effective celebrity spokesperson for health issues: Michael J. Fox for Parkinson's disease. Paper presented at the National Communication Association, Miami, FL.
- Duff, D. C. (2003, May). Gender role portrayals in prime-time television commercials in Thailand. Paper presented at the International Communication Association, San Diego, CA.
- Duff, D. C., Ferrara, M., Orfgen, T., & Witte, K. (2003, May). Perceived norms and reproductive health attitudes and behaviors in Uganda. Paper presented at the International Communication Association, San Diego, CA.
- Duff, D. C. (2002, November). From devils to gods: Celebrity identification and conversion. Paper presented at the National Communication Association, New Orleans, LA.
- Duff, D. C. (2002, November). "Sweet-ening" Finney: An EPIC reading of Charles Grandison Finney's New Measures. Paper presented at the National Communication Association, New Orleans, LA.
- Duff, D. C. (2002, April). Imaging change: A critical reading of Kent and Queen Anne hospital's announcement of organizational restructuring in its annual report for 1995-6. Paper presented at the Central States Communication Association, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Licenses and Professional Memberships
- National Communication Association
- Certification, Noel Strengths Academy, Azusa Pacific University
