Valerie Biwa
Asst Professor
Weissman School of Arts and Sciences
Department: Communication Studies
Areas of expertise: Intercultural Communication, Cross-cultural Adaptation, Identity & Identity Transformations/Change, Intercultural Communication Competence
Email Address: valerie.biwa@baruch.cuny.edu
> View CV- Biography
- Teaching
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- Honors and Awards
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Valerie Biwa is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Baruch College, CUNY. Professor Biwa is an intercultural communication scholar with research interests in global-centric issues stemming from globalization, cross-continental travel, and the intermingling of culturally, ethnically, and racially different peoples. She specializes in research about immigrant and sojourner adaptation and identity transformation. She is interested in examining acculturation and integration, multiple adaptation, and re-entry/re-acculturation and how these processes of adapting to receiving and homeland cultures cause identity conflict and facilitate changes in individuals’ cultural identities. Her foci are multicultural, cosmopolitan, and transnational identities. Professor Biwa also examines issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations with a special focus on women and female leadership. Before pursuing an academic career, Professor Biwa worked in sales and marketing for Proctor & Gamble and Reckitt Benckiser in the FMCG industry in Namibia. Professor Biwa holds a B.A. and M.A. in Communication from Eastern Michigan University and a Ph.D. in Communication from The University of Oklahoma. At Baruch College, Dr. Biwa teaches undergraduate courses at the intersection of communication and culture and graduate courses in qualitative research methods.
Education
Ph.D., Communication, The University of Oklahoma Norman United States
M.A., Communication, Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti United States
B.Sc., Speech Communication & Rhetoric, Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti United States
| Semester | Course Prefix | Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | COM | 9991 | Masters Thesis In Cc |
| Spring 2025 | COM | 9991 | Masters Thesis In Cc |
| Spring 2025 | COM | 9640 | Qualitative Research Methods |
| Spring 2025 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Fall 2024 | COM | 9900 | Independent Study |
| Fall 2024 | COM | 4069 | Contemp Issues Intercult Comm |
| Fall 2024 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Fall 2024 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Summer 2024 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Summer 2024 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Spring 2024 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Spring 2024 | COM | 9640 | Qualitative Research Methods |
| Spring 2024 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Fall 2023 | COM | 4069 | Contemp Issues Intercult Comm |
| Fall 2023 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Summer 2023 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Spring 2023 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Spring 2023 | COM | 9640 | Qualitative Research Methods |
| Fall 2022 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
| Fall 2022 | COM | 3069 | Intercultural Communication |
Journal Articles
Biwa, V., & Cionea, I. A. (2025). Multiple adaptation: A new perspective on cross-cultural adaptation. Journal of International & Intercultural Communication,
Biwa, V. (2025). Growth vs. Deterioration: Turning Points of International Students during Cross-cultural Adaptation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations,
Biwa, V., & Cionea, I. A. (2025). The Communication Model of Multicultural Identity Development. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research,
Beaty, R. R., Biwa, V., & Millender, L. (2025). Downward Dissent within Pastor-Parishoner Relationships. Management Communication Quarterly, In Progress.
Beaty, R. R., Millender, L., & Biwa, V. (2025). Time, Treasure, & Talent: Extending Mechanisms of Dissent from the Pew. Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, In Progress.
Beaty, R. R., Biwa, V., & Millender, L. (2024). “The collar never comes off”: A qualitative study of clergy professionalism. Journal of Professions & Organization, joad020.
Biwa, V., & O'Neill, S. P. (2024). Examining everyday discourse of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City Chapter: (Re)framing racial origin myths across received chronotopes. Journal of Language & Discrimination, 8(1).
Acheme, D., & Biwa, V. (2023). Graduate teaching assistants’ challenges, conflicts, and strategies for navigating COVID-19. Frontiers in Communication, 8(1266394).
Biwa, V. (2022). Multicultural identity development: An autoethnographic examination of a sojourner’s journey. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 91. 119-126.
Biwa, V. (2021). African feminisms and co-constructing a collaborative future with men: Namibian women in mining’s discourses. Management Communication Quarterly, 35(1). 43-68.
Book Chapters
Biwa, V. (2025). Ubuntu: A way of life. Communication in non-western cultures: Case studies and experiences In Progress.
Presentations
Beaty, R. R., Biwa, V., & Millender, L. (2025, November 1). Saying “no” without saying “no”: Negotiating realignment using influence tactics in volunteer member organizations. National Communication Association. Denver, CO
Biwa, V. Methodological Reflections about Conducting Research in/about Africa: Axiological Challenges in Conducting Africa Research. International Communication Association. Denver, CO: Intercultural Division.
Biwa, V. The Communication Model of Multicultural Identity Development. International Communication Association. Denver, CO: Intercultural Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, November 16). Afrobeats, Social Media & (Re)Imagining the African Identity. National Communication Association. New Orleans, LA: International & Intercultural Communication Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, November 16). Skin Color is Inadequate: Interrogating Borders of Blackness for Greater Regard. National Communication Association. New Orleans, LA: International and Intercultural Communication Division.
Biwa, V., & Cionea, I. A. (2025, May 16). Multiple adaptation: A new perspective on cross-cultural adaptation. International Communication Association. Toronto, Canada: Intercultural Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, November 16). Navigating toxicity in Academia: Reflections from international student and faculty. National Communication Association. National Harbor, MD: International & Intercultural Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, November 16). Dialectics of activism and advocacy: Contemporary formations of dissent in the global South. National Communication Association. National Harbor, MD: Activism & Social Justice Division.
Banas, J., Bessarabova, E., Biwa, V., Acheme, D. E., & Wong, N. (2025, November 16). Reducing anti-Muslim prejudice through stand-up comedy: A new test of the parasocial contact hypothesis. National Communication Association. National Harbor, MD: Social Cognition Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, November 16). Growth vs. deterioration: Turning points during cross-cultural adaptation. National Communication Association. National Harbor, MD: International & Intercultural Division.
Cionea, I. A., & Biwa, V. (2025, May 16). Uncertainty management in serial arguments. International Communication Association. Paris, France: Interpersonal Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, November 16). Multicultural identity development: An autoethnographic examination of a Sojourner’s journey. National Communication Association. New Orleans, LA: International & Intercultural Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, May 16). I Am a Citizen of the world: Defining, constructing, and negotiating cosmopolitan identity in a globalized world. International Communication Association. Gold Coast, Australia: Intercultural Division.
Biwa, V., & Hammonds, K. A. (2025, November 16). Black Lives Matter-Oklahoma City chapter: Examining language use in everyday discourse . National Communication Association. Seattle, WA: Ethnography Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, May 16). Enhancing care: An understanding of identity processes in interethnic, intercultural, organizational and computer-mediated communication . International Communication Association. Gold Coast, Australia
Cionea, I. A., & Biwa, V. (2025, May 16). Examining the mask-wearing behavior in the U.S. using Theory of Planned Behavior . International Communication Association. Gold Coast, Australia
Morrissey, B. S., Biwa, V., & Johnson, A. J. (2025, November 16). Family disagreements about social distancing for COVID-19 and effects to perceived familial closeness. National Communication Association. Seattle, WA: Family Communication Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, November 16). Growth vs. deterioration: Turning points during cross-cultural adaptation. National Communication Association. Online Conference: International & Intercultural Division.
Biwa, V. (2025, May 16). The sojourner experience: Duality of communication and identity . International Communication Association. Online Conference: Intercultural Division.
| Honor / Award | Organization Sponsor | Date Received | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Paper Intercultural Communication Division | International Communication Association | 2025-06-14 | |
| Top Paper Award | Social Cognition Division of National Communication Association (NCA) | 2023-11-16 | Top paper award of research in social cognition |
| Top Paper Award | International & Intercultural Division of National Communication Association | 2022-11-18 | Top paper award for research in intercultural communication |
| Dan and Mary John O’Hair Outstanding Graduate Student in Teaching, Research, & Service Award: Department of Communication | The University of Oklahoma | 2022-04-22 | This award honors a graduate student who excels in teaching, research, and service |
| Dissertation Research Grant: Department of Communication | The University of Oklahoma | 2022-03-31 | |
| Robberson Research Grant: Graduate College | The University of Oklahoma | 2022-03-15 | |
| Research Fellow: Center for Peace and Development & Security in Context | The University of Oklahoma | 2021-08-16 | |
| Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award: Department of Communication | The University of Oklahoma | 2021-04-30 | This award recognizes graduate teaching assistants who have excelled in teaching their classes during their time in the Department of Communication. |
| The Ralph Cooley Graduate Student Award for Outstanding International and Intercultural Communication Research: Department of Communication | The University of Oklahoma | 2020-04-24 | This award recognizes outstanding students in the area of intercultural, international, cross-cultural, or Native American studies |
| Asian-Pacific American Caucus Travel Grant | National Communication Association | 2019-11-15 | |
| Student Section Division Travel Grant | National Communication Association | 2019-11-14 | |
| Graduate Student Senate Conference Travel Grant | The University of Oklahoma | 2019-10-25 | |
| Graduate Student Senate Research Grant | The University of Oklahoma | 2019-03-29 |
College
| Committee Name | Position Role | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weissman Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standing | Committee Member | Present | |
| Graduate Curriculum Committee | Committee Member | Present | |
| Hiring Committee | Committee Member | Present | |
| Social Committee | Committee Member | Present | |
| Thesis Committee | Master's Thesis Reader | Present | |
| Graduate Student & Alumni Award Committee | Committee Member | 5/18/2023 | |
| Career Fair: Intercultural Jobs in Higher Education | Co-organizer & Moderator | 3/16/2023 |
Professional
| Organization | Position Role | Organization State | Organization Country | Start Date | End Date | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Communication Association (ICA) | Reviewer, Conference Paper | 12/28/2022 | Present | International | ||
| Journal of Intercultural Communication Research | Reviewer, Journal Article | 6/19/2024 | Present | International | ||
| National Communication Association | Reviewer, Conference Paper | 4/4/2024 | Present | National | ||
| International Journal of Intercultural Relations | Reviewer, Journal Article | 8/1/2023 | Present | International |