MELINDA COLLEEN TILTON
2946 Cook Avenue
Billings, MT 59102
(406) 652-7061
EARNED DEGREES
M.A. Speech Communication: California State University, Long Beach, December 1982. Straight A
average. Student Representative to the Graduate Committee 1981-82, Graduate Honor
Student of the Humanities 1982.
B.A. Liberal Studies: California State University, Long Beach, December 1980. Maintained straight A
average in concentration, strong B average overall. Dean's List 1978, President's Honor List 1980.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University Lecturer – August 1998 – present – Department of Communication and Theatre, Montana
State University, Billings. Courses taught:
*Fundamentals of Communication
*Advanced Public Speaking
*Interpersonal Communication
*Interpersonal Communication Online
*Introduction to Public Speaking
*Advanced Interpersonal Online
*Group Dynamics
*Group Dynamics Online
*Intro. to Intercultural Communication
*Intercultural Communication Online
*Intercultural Communication
Fixed-Term Instructor - August 1991 to Present - Department of Communication Arts, Montana State
University, Billings, formerly Eastern Montana College (until Aug. 1994), Billings.
Courses taught:
*Introduction to Public Speaking
*Interpersonal Communication
Communication Consultant/Trainer - April 1991 to Present - The Billings Clinic, Department of
Patient Services, Billings, Montana. Following a needs assessment I designed and conducted a
bi-monthly training series for the supervisors of the Patient Services personnel. Significant
progress was reported in diplomacy and directness, and effectively handling difficult customers.
Based on the success of this series, in September 1992, training was expanded to include the
eighty-two person, Patient Services staff. Continuing Education seminars are scheduled quarterly
through Spring,1995.
Part-time Instructor - August 1990 to June 1991 - Department of Communication Arts, Eastern
Montana College, Billings. Courses taught:
*Introduction to Public Speaking
*Interpersonal Communication
Visiting Instructor - September 1988 to June 1989 - Department of Interpersonal Communication,
University of Montana, Missoula. Courses taught:
*Introduction to Public Speaking
*Introduction to Communication Relationships
*Business and Professional Communication
*Business and Professional Interviewing
Visiting Instructor - February 1984 to July 1986 - Department of Interpersonal Communication,
University of Montana, Missoula. Courses taught:
*Introduction to Communication Relationships
*Introduction to Public Speaking
*Rational Decision Making and Advocacy (Argumentation)
*Small Group Communication
*Persuasive Communication
Lecturer (Certificated) - May to June 1983, Summer Semester - Department of Speech Communication,
Long Beach City College, California. Taught intensive extension course in group discussion at
Terminal Island Base. This program provided students with the communication and problem-solving
skills needed to participate effectively in group interactions.
Lecturer - January to June 1983 - Department of Speech Communication, California State University,
Long Beach. Taught courses in small group discussion; emphasized problem-solving, critical
thinking and dynamics as they relate to small group communication.
Graduate Teaching Assistant - December 1980 - December 1982 - Department of Speech Communication,
California State University of Long Beach. Taught Public Speaking and Small Group Discussion
courses. Fully responsible for course administration.
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
Supervisor/Mentor, Part-time Instructors teaching: Introduction to Public Speaking and Interpersonal
Communication, Montana State University, Billings, Spring 2004-present.
Online Course Developer, Introduction to Intercultural Communication, College of Education and Lifelong
learning, Montana State University, Billings, Summer 2005.
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, “Advanced Trial Advocacy”, intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 2005. *
Chairperson, COMT 110 – Interpersonal Communication, Textbook Review Committee, Spring 2004.
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, “Advanced Trial Advocacy”, intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 2004. *
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, “Advanced Trial Advocacy”, intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 2003. *
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, “Advanced Trial Advocacy”, intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 2002. *
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, “Advanced Trial Advocacy”, intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 2001. *
Program Director, Graduate Teaching Assistants, Montana State University-Billings, Fall 2000 to present.
Grant Recipient, Online Course Development, Equipment for Introduction to Public Speaking, Spring 2000.
Online Course Developer, Introduction to Public Speaking, College of Education and Lifelong Learning,
Montana State University, Billings, Spring 2000.
Online Course Developer, Interpersonal Communication, College of Education and Lifelong Learning,
Montana State University, Billings, Fall 2000.
Online Course Development, Group Dynamics, College of Education and Lifelong Learning, Montana State
University, Billings, Spring 2000.
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, “Advanced Trial Advocacy”, intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 2000. *
Distinguished Faculty Award, “Advanced Trail Advocacy” Seminar, University of Montana, School of Law,
Missoula, Montana, May 1999.
Guest Presenter, Rocky Mountain AOP Conference, “Effective Courtroom Communication: A New Look at
the Trial and Jury”, Big Sky, Montana, March 1999.
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, "Advanced Trial Advocacy", intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 1999.*
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, "Advanced Trial Advocacy", intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 1998.*
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, "Advanced Trial Advocacy", intensive five-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, May 1997.*
Member, CA 101- Fundamental of Communication, Custom Textbook Committee, Department of
Communication and Theater, Montana State University, Billings, Montana, Spring 1997.
Member, Theatre Search Committee, Department of Communication Arts,
Montana State University, Billings, Spring 1996.
Participant, CA 101 - Fundamentals of Communication, Textbook Committee, Department of
Communication Arts, Montana State University, Billings, Billings, Spring 1996.
Co-Chairperson, Lambda Pi Eta, Department of Communication Arts, Montana State University, Billings,
November 1994.
Founder, Lambda Pi Eta Chapter (LPH), National Communication Honor Society for Undergraduates,
Montana State University, Billings, November 1994.
Task Force Chairperson, Program Relations, Department of Communication Arts, MSU, Billings, Montana,
Fall semester 1994.
Author, General Education Outcomes Assessment Course Review for CA 110 and CA 130, Department of
Communication Arts, Montana State University, Billings, Montana, November 1994.
Communication Trainer, Children at Risk Conference (sponsored by Eastern Montana College), Team
Building Sectional, Holiday Inn, Billings, Montana, March 3, 1994.
Director, CA 490 - Teaching Assistantship, Tracy Neary, Eastern Montana College, Billings, Montana,
Spring Semester 1994.
Author, Section III - Utilization of Resources, Academic Program Review, Department of Communication
Arts, Eastern Montana College, Billings, Montana, January 1994.
Author, Departmental Equipment Requisition for 2 Vax 420's, December 1993.
Committee Member, Open House, Department of Communication Arts, Eastern Montana College, Billings,
Montana, September 1993.
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, "Advanced Trial Advocacy", intensive four-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, June 1993.*
Advisor, Mass Communication, Eastern Montana College, Billings, Montana, Fall Semester 1993 to
present.
Director, CA 490 - Teaching Assistantship, Nancy Reid, Eastern Montana College, Billings, Montana,
Spring Semester 1993.
Director, CA 490 - Teaching Assistantship, April Trees, Eastern Montana College, Billings, Montana, Spring
Semester 1993.
Member, Interpersonal Communication Textbook Selection Committee, Eastern Montana College, Billings,
Montana, Spring 1993.
Co-Chair, Committee hosting the Southern Divisional High School Forensics Finals, Eastern Montana
College, Billings, Montana, January 1993.
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, "Advanced Trial Advocacy," intensive four-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, June 1992.*
Member, Course Challenge Evaluation Committee, Eastern Montana College, Billings, Montana, Spring
1992 - present.
Member, Public Speaking Textbook Selection Committee, Eastern Montana College, Billings, Montana,
Spring 1992.
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, "Advanced Trial Advocacy," intensive four-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana June 1991.*
Director, CA 490 - Teaching Assistantship, Linda Fauth, Eastern Montana College, Billings, Montana,
Spring Quarter 1991.
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, "Advanced Trial Advocacy," intensive four-day seminar, University of
Montana, School of Law, Missoula, Montana, June 1990.*
Communication Trainer/Lecturer, "Advanced Trial Advocacy," intensive four-day seminar, University of
Montana, Missoula, Montana, June 1986.*
Chairperson, Graduate Student Panel, Northwest Communication Association Convention, Coeur d'Alene,
Idaho, May 1986.
Workshop Coordinator and Facilitator, University of Montana Advocate Spring Retreat, Levengood,
Montana, April 1986.
Trainer-Consultant, "The Dynamics of Public Speaking and Small Group Communication," Instructor Mike
Stark, Darby High School, February 1985 - June 1985.
Guest Speaker, Sigma Phi Epsilon, February 1986.
Workshop Coordinator and Lecturer, "Small Group Leadership and Dynamics: Theory and Practice,"
Alpha Tau Omega, Red Lion, Missoula, Montana, February 1986.
Guest Lecturer, Business Administration National Advertising Competition, February 1986.
Communication Consultant, University of Montana Advocates, January 1986 - June 1986.
University of Montana Advocate Winter Retreat, Lubrecht Forest, Montana, January 1986.
Workshop Presenter, "The Dynamics of Small Groups Interaction,"
Director - Independent Study (Comm 490), developed a resource manual to be used during the University
of Montana Advocate credit, training course, January - March 1986.
Faculty Participant, curriculum planning retreat, Sula, Montana, April 1985.
Judge, speech tournament, Office Education Association Conference, March 1985.
Judge, National Discussion Contest, Western Speech Communication Association, January 1985.
Member, Search Committee, University of Montana, November 1984 - July 1985.
Guest Lecturer, "Verbal Communication in the Courtroom," conducted for Attorney Larry Riley's Third Year
Trial Practice Course at the University of Montana Law School, November 1984.
Workshop Coordinator and Presenter, "Organization, Motivation and Leadership," Associated Students of
the University of Montana (ASUM) Retreat, Lubrecht Forest, Montana, October 1984.
Trial Participant, First Year Trial Practice Program, University of Montana School of Law, April 1984.
Curriculum General Advisor, undergraduate majors and minors, University of Montana, March 1984 - July
1986.
Member, Search Committee, University of Montana, October 1983 - May 1984.
*Participant evaluations available upon request.
SCHOLARLY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Small Group Communication & Online Instruction
Chairperson, “Maintaining Disciplinary Integrity During the Technological Turn: Delivering Communication
Courses and Programs Online in 2005.” Undergraduate College and University Section, National
Communication Association Convention, Boston, November 2005.
Panelist, “Empowering Teacher and Students by Adapting to Online Learning Needs,” National
Communication Association Convention, Boston, November 2005.
Participant, The Leadership Summit, Willow Creek, Billings, Montana, August 11-13, 2005.
Panel Member, Presented, “Strategies for Engaging Students in Online Group Dynamics,” National
Communication Association Convention, Chicago, November 2004.
Participant, Short Course: “Teaching Small Group Communication in the College Classroom and in the
Corporate Setting”, National Communication Association Convention, Florida, November 2003.
Participant, Short Course: “Teaching Problem Solving and Decision Making in Small Group
Communication Classes,” an experiential learning activity based session, National Communication
Association Convention, November 2002.
Designed an instructional program for the University of Montana Advocates. This course enhanced the
communication effectiveness of Advocates as leaders and facilitators of small group interaction.
Constructed a manual for evaluating small group performance. Defined the interactive elements of intergroup and intra-group communication, and provided tools for internal and external group evaluation.
Developed a resource manual in Group Discussion for graduate teaching assistants at California State
University, Long Beach. The manual consisted of problem solving methodologies and associated
exercises, with references.
Public Speaking, Interpersonal, and Intercultural Communication
Participant, Love Talk Seminar by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, Billings, Montana, November 2005.
National Communication Association Convention, Boston, November 2005:
Short course: Teaching the Undergraduate Intercultural Communication course in the Contemporary
World, Thomas K. Nakayama and Judith N. Martin
National Communication Association Convention, Chicago, November 2004:
Short Course: Teaching Intercultural Communication
Short Course: Teaching Language, Use, Theory, Performance Skills
National Communication Association Convention, New Orleans, November 2002.
Short Course: “Teaching Public Speaking as Public Dialogue: Civic Engagement and Service Learning
in the Public Speaking Classroom,” Cindy Griffin.
Short Course: “Incorporating Technology into the Intercultural Communication Course: Activities and
Applications, Lisa Stefani.
National Communication Association Convention, Chicago, November 1999
Short Course: Teaching Communication Courses with Feature Films
Short Course: Incorporating Technology into the Intercultural Communication Course
Panel Chairperson, “Exploring Communication Theory: Extension, Intension, and Revolution in
Communication Theory,” National Communication Association, Seattle, Washington, November 2000.
Communication and the Law
Guest Speaker, “Seeing Communication Through New Lenses,” Montana County Attorneys Association,
Winter Training, Billings, Montana, December 2, 2005.
Faculty Member & Presenter, “Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar”, University of Montana, School of Law,
1985 – present.
Outstanding Faculty Award, Advanced Trial Advocacy Program, University of Montana, School of Law,
1999 and 2001.
Publication, "Effective Language Choices in Closing Legal Arguments: An Exploratory Study, Daniel D.
Gross and Melinda C. Tilton, The Pennsylvania Speech Communication Annual, Volume LI, 1995.
"Effective Language Choices in Legal Arguments". Paper presented with Daniel D. Gross for the
Commission on Communication and Law at the Speech Communication Association Convention, Miami,
Florida, 1993.
"Language, Power and Legal Argument". Paper presented with Daniel D. Gross at the Speech
Communication Association Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1992.
"Winning Courtroom Metaphors: Metaphor as Argument in Closing Statements." Paper presented with
Daniel D. Gross at the Speech Communication Association Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1992.
"Metaphors, Argument & the Law". Panel proposal accepted for presentation at the Speech
Communication Association Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1992.
Co-researched courtroom verbal and non-verbal communication in association with trail attorney Larry
Riley. The research was directed at enhancing the quality of trail performance in third year law students by
identifying successful behaviors.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Guest Speaker, “Seeing Communication Through New Lenses,” Montana County Attorneys Association,
Winter Training, Billings, Montana, December 2, 2005.
Debate Judge, Billings Senior High School, Speech and Debate Tournament, Spring, 2005.
Communication Trainer, "The Powerful Impact of Nonverbal Communication in Hospice Care", Spring and
Fall Volunteer Training Seminar, Big Sky Hospice, Billings, Montana, 1994 - present.
Advocate, Mentor, and Family Resource Communication Trainer, American Diabetes Association, Billings,
Montana, 1995 – present.
Internship Coordinator, Fox 4 – KHMT, Hardin and Billings, Marcel Fischer, Promotions Assistant, Spring
2001.
Guest Presenter, "Interpersonal Communication and Perception: Improving Relationships", Foster parents
training seminar, Youth Dynamics Incorporated, March 1997.
Communication Trainer, "Communication in Difficult Situations", In-service training seminar, Big Sky
Hospice, November 1996.
Communication Trainer, "The Powerful Impact of Nonverbal Communication in Hospice Care", In-service
training seminar, Big Sky Hospice, Billings, Montana, October 1995.
Communication Trainer, "The Overlooked Cues: Silence and Touch", conducted for the Big Sky Hospice
Volunteers, Billings, Montana, September 28, 1995.
Communication Trainer, "The Powerful Impact of Communication in Hospice Care: Communication
Climates", In-service training seminar, Big Sky Hospice, Billings, Montana, October 19, 1994.
Guest Speaker, "Communication Climates: Improving the Relational Forecast", In-Care Network, Inc.,
Service to Native American Youth, Billings, Montana, May 18, 1994
Communication Trainer, "Communication Without a Word", seminar conducted for the Big Sky Hospice
Volunteers, Billings, Montana, January 1994.
Guest Speaker, The Montana Head Injury Association, Billings, Montana, May 1993.
Guest Speaker, Rotary, Red Lodge, Montana, March 1993.
Guest Speaker, Ladies Night, Rotary, Dillon, Montana, February 1991.
Workshop Coordinator and Presenter, seminar for the desk clerks at the Super 8 Motel, Missoula,
Montana, March 1989.
Guest Speaker, Adult Singles group at the Christian Assembly Foursquare, March 1989.
Guest Speaker, Junior High Youth Group at the Christian Assembly Foursquare, November 1988.
Judge, speech tournament, Western Montana High Schools, March 1987.
Workshop Coordinator and Presenter, seminar in communication and advocacy for Judge Don Dupuis and
the Advocates of the Salish and Kootenai Tribe, August 1987.
Communication Consultant, Workshop Presenter and Trainer, Eye Care Northwest, January 1987 - August
1987.
Foreign Student Host, exchange program, students from Kumamoto University, Japan, August 1985.
Foreign Student Host, exchange program, students from Kumamoto University, Japan, August 1984.
Trainer-Consultant, "Improving Communication Climates," seminar for the management at the Good Food
Store, Missoula, Montana, November 1984.
Communication Consultant, The Good Food Store, Missoula, Montana, October 1984 - June 1985.
Judge, speech tournament, The Optimist Club of Long Beach, California, March 1983.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP: National Communication Association