Bookmark and Share

Department of

Communication Studies

Leeva Chung, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Communication Studies

Leeva C. Chung, Ph.D., has been a member of the faculty since 1998. She is an associate professor of Communication Studies and also serves as an affiliate faculty member in Ethnic Studies. Chung has developed undergraduate courses and a research agenda based on her focus on ethnic identity development among minority groups in the U.S. and intercultural issues. In addition to her teaching and research efforts, she has been actively involved in the community, specifically with the San Diego Asian Film Festival. Thanks to Chung’s efforts, the festival premiered at USD in 2000. Since then, it has gained an international reputation as one of North America's leading Asian American film festivals.

Education

Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, Communication Studies
M.A., California State University at Fullerton, Communication Studies
B.A., San Francisco State University, Communication Studies (with a minor in Asian American Studies)

Scholarly and Creative Work

Chung’s research interests include ethnic and global identity, intergroup perceptions, and pop culture. She has presented two top three papers in competitive conventions and has published in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, and Communication Research Reports. Her most recent publication is Understanding Intercultural Communication, co-authored with Stella Ting-Toomey. Chung has also planned and developed four conventions for both the USD and with communication associations.

Teaching Interests

Chung has taught a variety of courses, including intercultural communication, global/diverse teams, small group, interpersonal communication, and ethnic identity in the U.S. In addition to teaching departmental classes, Chung has participated in a team-taught, interdisciplinary lower division introduction to ethnic studies course. Other team-teaching projects include her summer workshops with Stella Ting-Toomey, Ph.D., for the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication. Chung is a former recipient of USD’s Innovations in Experiential Education award.