Anna Groff

Master of Public Administration (Nonprofit Management) 2013
Arizona State University

Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism)                    2006
Goshen College

Principles of Public Relations: An introduction to public relations contexts, issues and practices—research, planning, communicating and evaluating. There is an emphasis on skills in analyzing public opinion and in communication with internal and external publics, with special attention to ethics and nonprofit organizations.

Communication Across Cultures: A study of cultures, comparative message systems and principles of cross-cultural communication. A focus on current issues having to do with cultural interactions. Students analyze cultural dynamics through ethnographic projects, films and simulations.

Oral Communication: A study of communication theories as applied to oral communication. Practical experience in a variety of activities including interpersonal communication, public speaking, small group communication, persuasion, and nonverbal communication will enhance the theoretical aspects. Attention is given to communication in a culturally diverse society.

Reporting for the Public Good: This course is intended to broaden reporting, writing and editing skills. This course envisions the broader Goshen community as an extended classroom, replete with interesting and important stories to tell. In reporting off campus, students are expected to produce articles that can be shared with this wider audience through multiple channels. The class includes readings, discussions, guest speakers and possible field trips and events, as well as varied writing and editing assignments.

Communication Research: An introduction to theory building and research methodology of mass communication. Course focuses on the practical aspects of communication research, providing a framework for conducting quantitative and qualitative research.

Feature Writing: Students will study nonfiction writing forms, including narrative journalism, and learn the process of publishing articles in newspaper, magazine and online markets. Students will prepare articles for submission.

Organizational Communication: An exploration of communication within organizations, as well as communication between organizations and the larger society. Topics include theories of communication and organizational structure; examination of power, culture, and conflict in organizations; and analysis of verbal and nonverbal messages in interpersonal, small-group and public settings.

Communication and Society: A study of comm issues in modern society with attention to the persons, institutions, media and systems that facilitate social interaction. An overview of communication philosophy as a basis for ethical and aesthetic perspectives.

Academic Voice: Speaking and Writing: Students practice crafting and presenting speeches an essays using the tools of critical reading, analysis, active listening, rhetoric and research, with the purpose of developing their voices to participate in academic conversations.

2021-present
Assistant Professor of Communication
Goshen College

2015-2021
Executive Director
Dove’s Nest: Faith Communities Keeping Children and Youth Safe

2006-2015
Executive Director and Editor
The Mennonite, Inc.

2013
Director of Grants
White Mountain S.A.F.E. House, Pinetop, Arizona

Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, Tucson, Arizona
Member of Indigenous Solidarity Committee                                                 2019-Present
Elders Board                                                                                                                   2015-2017
Webmaster                                                                                                                      2015-2020

Desert Spring Children’s Center
Board member, Tucson, Arizona                                                                             Present

Chair of Panel on Sexual Abuse Prevention
Mennonite Church USA                                                                                               2016-2017

Presenter for Anabaptist Communicators “Communicators of the Future: A conversation with professors and new journalism/comms professionals,” April 21, 2022.

Presenter for Anabaptist Communicators “Communicating about Sexual Violence with a Survivor-Centered Approach.” Talking Heads Webinar, December 3, 2021.

Presenter for Associated Church Press “Keeping Children and Youth Safe During COVID-19 for Church Journalists,” convention webinar series, June 23, 2020.

Co-presenter for Mennonite Church USA “Calling All Protectors of Children,” convention seminar, July 2019.

Co-presenter for Mennonite Church USA “Parenting for Prevention,” convention seminar, July 2019.

Co-presenter for Mennonite Church USA “Consequences for Your Congregation: Taking Victims and Survivors Seriously,” convention seminar, July 2019.

Co-presenter North American Association of Christians in Social Work “Engaging Churches in Child Protection,” 66^th convention seminar, Nov. 19, 2016.

Co-presenter for Mennonite Church USA convention seminar on church journalism, July 2015.

Associated Church Press                                                                               2022
Judge for “2022 Best of the Church Press Awards”

Associated Church Press                                                                                2021
Judge for “2021 Best of the Church Press Awards”

Dove’s Nest                                                                                                         2015-2022
Speaker’s Bureau member

Goshen College                                                                                                  2022
Microcredential on Disabilities

Anabaptist Communicators                                                                           Current
Current Member

Associated Church Press                                                                               2006-2015
Member through The Mennonite, Inc.

Center for Community Dialogue and Training                                   2019
42-Hour Meditation Training
Preparation to mediate a variety of workplace and personal conflicts.