TEACHING AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Rising Faculty Award for Excellence
Competitively chosen by UA Little Rock faculty, staff, & administration as the “full-time faculty member who demonstrates the most exceptional promise in teaching, research or creative endeavors, and public service during their first five years at UA Little Rock”. Departmental & college-level winner.
2023
Teaching Fellow Award
Awarded by the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2022
Professional Development in Teaching Certificate
Awarded by the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2021
Faculty Mentor Award Nominee, Nominated by undergraduate and graduate students
College of Communication & Social Sciences 2020 Faculty Mentor Award
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2020
Course Developer, for the Online Master of Arts Program in Human Communication at Arizona State University
2018
Teaching Consultant, for the Online Master of Arts Program in Human Communication at Arizona State University
2017
Continuing Teaching Excellence Award Winner, university-wide competitive award for outstanding teaching awarded by the Graduate and Professional Student Association
Arizona State University
2017
Teaching Excellence Award Winner, university-wide competitive award for outstanding teaching awarded by the Graduate and Professional Student Association
Arizona State University
Award Amount: $500
2016
Outstanding Masters Teaching Award, awarded by the College of Communication and Information Sciences
The University of Alabama
2014
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock • Applied Communication Department
- Assistant Professor
- Graduate Courses
- ACOM 7329/PADM 7329/LAW 7329 Mediation
- ACOM 7324 Negotiation (also taught ACOM 7324 in an online-hybrid format)
- ACOM 7323 Conflict Analysis & Intervention (also taught ACOM 7323 in an online-hybrid format)
- ACOM 7300 Interpersonal Communication Concepts
- ACOM 5323 Family Communication
- Undergraduate Courses
- ACOM 4323 Family Communication
- ACOM 3323 Conflict Management – In Person
- ACOM 3323 Conflict Management – Online
- ACOM 3316 Interviewing – Online
- SCHL 1300 Rhetoric Communication – In Person (also taught SCHL 1300 in an online-hybrid format)
- first year experience course within the Donaghey Scholar’s Program
- Graduate Courses
- Assistant Professor
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- Arizona State University • Hugh Downs School of Human Communication
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- The University of Alabama • College of Communication & Information Sciences
- Primary Instructor
- COM 220 Interpersonal Communication
- COM 123 Public Speaking
- Teaching Assistant
- COM 123 Public Speaking
- Primary Instructor
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SELECTED STATEMENTS FROM ONLINE STUDENT EVALUATIONS
Conflict Management, ACOM 3323
“Dr. Oliver is amazing. She does a great job of explaining the concepts of conflict management as well as giving the class real life examples of how the material can be used in the real world. I have thoroughly enjoyed this class and I think it has dramatically helped the way that I handle conflict in my own personal relationships. I was so excited to see that this survey was available just so I can rave about how much I enjoyed this class. By far my favorite class of the semester! I would take it over again in a heartbeat.”
“Dr. Bailey is: -Knowledgeable -Well organized -Easy to approach -Helpful -Honest with feedback -Great sense of humor”
“The assignments were very focused on the class material and not just busy work.”
“Excellent communicator with the ability to make it interesting. Very educated in her field.”
Conflict Analysis & Intervention, ACOM 7323
“She provided a very organized content on blackboard and in class, very knowledgeable and resourceful”
“Dr. Oliver was very knowledgeable about Conflict Analysis and helping us turn any conflict situation into a positive communication practice. This course really hit home for me, just simply because i was going through a bunch of conflict issues with my job. The lessons from the course, helped me work through those and I am so very grateful.”
“Dr. Oliver strengths were being detailed oriented, well-organized, communicative, and helpful.”
Communication, Conflict & Negotiation, COM 312
“I liked that Bailey was constantly reflecting on old material that we had learned from previous lessons. She made all the lectures relatable to our lives, which I really liked. She used videos, documentaries, and movie clips that helped us view conflict in a humorous, but realistic way.”
“I really liked the examples she would give. They were fun and memorable, which helped me understand the material that much more. I also liked how Professor Oliver would use slide shows, but she did not heavily rely on them. For example, the slideshows gave just enough information for me to learn and understand the topic, but she would also use outside information like current research and examples to further discuss the topic. I found it very impressive how informed and up to date the professor was on the topics discussed in class.”
“I liked everything about this course. The lectures were always interesting and applicable to everyday life. The instructor was enthusiastic about the subject. Even the reading was relevant and worth both the time and cost.”
Relational Communication, COM 310
“Bailey was a great instructor. Her lectures were very well-organized and explained all of the concepts thoroughly.”
“The information we learned was very interesting and new to me. I loved learning about the subjects we discussed! The teacher was very enthusiastic about the course and her requirements. She is very intelligent and enthusiastic about relational communication. Everything was outlined clearly and we knew what was expected from us for each assignment/exam.”
“The energetic spirit of Bailey brought every day helped this course to be enjoyable! The information the course covers is really interesting and kept me focused in class. Bailey also made it more interesting by using clips and examples. She was also super approachable and relatable.”
“Professor Oliver was very organized and knew the information well. She presented information in a very beneficial way that was interesting as well as informative.”
“The course was nicely conducted with exams and assignments. She was interesting and was modern, with a clear understanding of her students, current trends and easy examples.”
“I liked how many examples Professor Oliver uses, it really helps to further grasp the concepts and ideas talked about in lecture.”
“First, I really enjoyed the instructor. Bailey made the environment open and fun to learn. We were allowed to discuss topics and ask questions if needed. As for the materials, she was very educated on the subject and explained things very well. Examples and activities were administrated effectively to further learn the content.”
Introduction to Communication Inquiry, COM 207
“I really appreciated never having to reach out to the instructor as she sent detailed, timely emails every week or based on every assignment. All communication was clear and concise, which I felt was respectful of my time and my education.”
“I most appreciated the critical feedback style in this course with the addition of guidance towards how to improve. I learned a great deal in this course. Thank you.”
Public Speaking, COM 225
“I liked how the course was very well-organized and put together. Also, Bailey was pretty cool and fun to have as an instructor who was very credible in public speaking.”
“The instructor was great! She was very upbeat and encouraging. Her attitude definitely made pubic speaking a little less intimidating for those who are more nervous in speech situations. Also, she gave great tips on how to succeed while speaking.”
“Ms. Oliver is by far one of the best teachers I have ever had. She was very organized when she came to class. She made learning fun and exciting, but knew to keep control of the class all the time. I will make an effort to take as many classes as I can from her, her teaching style is perfect for college students.”
“This course was the only class I actively attended this semester. I found the instructor to be a stimulating speaker, as well as one of the few professors I’ve had here at ASU that was engaging on a personable level. The assignments were refreshing with extensive room for creativity, and the atmosphere of the classroom was friendly and respectful due to Bailey’s positive disposition. The in-class activities were engaging and more unique than any other small class course I have taken. I am enrolled in her course next semester despite the early start time, strictly because of how thoroughly I enjoyed this instructor.”
UNSOLICITED APPRECIATION LETTERS FROM FORMER STUDENTS
Conflict Management, ACOM 3323
Hi Dr. Bailey,
I hope your Saturday is off to a great start. Thanks for the opportunity to take this class. The material and theory have been insightful and the connections in conflict management and resolution can be translated into both my personal and professional life.
Sincerely,
Student
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All I can say is thank you, Dr. Oliver. Don’t change any structure with this course. It’s a great class as is. Have a great and safe winter break!
Thank you, again.
Student
Conflict Analysis & Intervention, ACOM 7323
Dr. Oliver,
I really appreciated your class. You were very engaging and professional. The past three weeks have been very tough for me. I lost a loved one, who lost her battle with breast cancer. We were in a small conflict but I am so happy we were able to resolve the conflict before she passed away. This class definitely helped me see the bigger picture. Thank you.
Student
Communication, Conflict & Negotiation, COM 312
Hello Professor Oliver,
Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it. And actually, your class was the reason that I decided to continue studying communication and apply to graduate school. Your class was the best COM class that I have taken before, and you are a great teacher. Thank you again and have a great day!
Sincerely,
Student
Relational Communication, COM 310
My name is [omitted] and I was enrolled in your COM 310 course in the Spring of 2016. I graduate next week, and just wanted to let you know that your class was by far the best Communication class, and possibly the best course, that I have taken at ASU. The content was very interesting, but it was largely due to the manner in which you presented the information and your endearing, professional demeanor. So often teachers are not thanked for their work, and you really deserve some recognition. As a Communication major, I can’t tell you how many courses I have taken that repeat the same information or present it in a very dry way, but you really helped me feel that I was able to retain the information and apply it in a real life context.
Thank you for everything and I’m sure you will keep inspiring students!
Student
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Professor,
I didn’t get a chance to tell you in class but I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your class. You made the material really interesting and the assignments were actually fun. I haven’t been lucky enough to take a class like that yet! You have definitely been the best professor I’ve had at ASU so far! I just wanted to tell you thanks for a great semester!
Student
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Dear Professor,
Since class, I’ve ran into two people who have just broken up with their significant other and I told them about the [relational advice] article [we did for your course] and now they can’t wait to read it! I don’t know if I have ever applied the knowledge I’ve learned in school so quickly! Thanks for such a fun, extremely helpful, and relevant assignment. Writing [the article] helped me get over things from my break up as well. Thanks professor, just thought I’d share!
Student
Public Speaking, COM 225
Dear Bailey,
I enjoyed your class. The organization worked for me, and I liked that you had us do lots of interacting activities. I think most of us usually need that nudge to be more sociable at school and I ended up with a much better view than what I was expecting when I signed up for the course. So thanks for the help and a really good class. I’d definitely take another of your courses, maybe next year. Best of luck with your teaching career!
Student
Bailey M. Oliver Blackburn, PhD 