Jessica Welsh grew up in Brookings, South Dakota where her family instilled a passion for life-long learning. In 2015, Dr. Welsh graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communication Studies. In 2017, Dr. Welsh completed her Master of Science in Communication Studies at South Dakota State University. Her thesis entitled, Funny in a Man's World: Women Comedians Use of Political Satire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner won the Outstanding Master's Thesis Award from the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender. She most recently finished her doctoral degree in 2023. Her case study research focused on institutional barriers for students of color, Pell Grant recipients, and first-generation undergraduate students. 

Research areas of interest: Communication and leadership; political leadership; rhetorical studies; case studies and focus group research; organizational and institutional research. 

Courses taught: 

• BUSL 401: Global Strategic Management 
• SVLD 430: Mission, Vision, and Virtues in Organizations