Acknowledgments

It’s been said that our daily behavior reveals our deepest beliefs. Anyone who got a glimpse into “A Day in the Life of Constance Staley” would see what I believe in immediately. My days are filled with students on campus or online; trips to give presentations elsewhere, or my computer; and spending hours reading and writing with great fervor. Anyone who truly knows me understands that the only way these long days can happen is with the support of my brilliant and devoted husband—my cook, barista, friend, partner, and muse. Always willing to talk through ideas with genuine enthusiasm, he gives me great insights about my work. Thank you, Steve. My two loving daughters, Shannon and Stephanie, whose success and happiness make me proud; and my grandtwins, Aidan and Ailie, who are soon to complete their college adventures themselves, give me opportunities to pause, reflect, and relax. I couldn’t ask for a more loving family.

I must also thank all my friends and colleagues in the Communication Department at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs; the “keynote” speakers for The Inside Story videos (Sloan Gonzales as “Amanda Ortiz,” Branden Williams as “DeAndre Thomas,” Regina Lewis as “Jasmine James,” Adam Combs as “Matt Richards,” and Majid M.J. Arjomandi as “Yousef Ahmadi”) whose stories represent those of literally hundreds, if not thousands, of students I’ve worked with over the years, and whose pictures open each of the text’s main parts. My heartfelt thanks also go to the staff of the UCCS Media Services Department who filmed The Inside Story speakers expertly, specifically Jeff Dempsey, media program manager (pictured here), and Garrett Kuecker, video engineer. 

My list of published texts is now lengthy. Experienced authors like me enjoy writing because they enjoy learning, and working with FlatWorld has made revising this version an even more gratifying experience. Its rapid rise as an innovative, up-and-coming industry disruptor is remarkable, and working with a nimble and responsive team is every author’s dream. Of course, many of my best experiences were due to the particular talents of FlatWorld’s Sean Wakely, Vice President, Product and Editorial. Sean is truly one of a kind, and I thank him for all his generous guidance. Thanks, too, to my highly talented digital editor, Briana Leonard, and the book’s graphic designer, Izza Thapa, and the rest of my FlatWorld team, many of whom were behind the scenes. Their upbeat style encouraged my best effort. In fact, this book pushed us to new heights as we worked to produce a highly engaging, visually rich text that still met the requirements for a cost-effective option for student readers. Reviewing the book, if not studying it page by page, will show readers that FlatWorld’s model works!

Finally, I’d especially like to thank the panel of expert reviewers who provided thoughtful input as I wrote the first version and revised the second version of this book. They connected me to their experience with students from which I drew ideas; provided helpful advice on how to present content; and offered numerous insights about how to better explain public speaking. This book has been greatly enriched by their efforts.