Jack J. Valenti School of Communication

Education

• Ph.D., the University of Maryland, College Park
• M.A., Nanjing University, China
• B.A., Nanjing University, China
• Certificate, Wharton School Executive Development Program, University of Pennsylvania

Teaching

• COMM 3368: Principles of Public Relations
• COMM 4377: Understanding Publics
• COMM 4397: Intercultural Public Relations
• COMM 6370: Public Relations Management
• COMM 6371: Public Relations Theory
• COMM 7397: Understanding Publics
• COMM 7397: Intercultural and Global Public Relations

Selected Publications

• Ni, L., Xiao, Z., Liu, W., & Wang, Q. (2019). Relationship Management as Antecedents to Public Communication Behaviors: Examining Community Empowerment and Public Health in Asian Community. Public Relations Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.101835
• Ni, L., Wang, Q., & Sha, B-L. (2018). Intercultural public relations: Theories for managing relationships and conflicts with strategic publics. New York: Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Intercultural-Public-Relations-Theories-for-Managing-Relationships-and/Ni-Wang-Sha/p/book/9781138189225
• Ni, L., Wang, Q., & Gogate, A. (2018). Understanding immigrant internal publics of organizations: immigrant professionals’ adaptation and identity development. Journal of Public Relations Research. 30, pp. 146-163. https://doi.org/10.1080/1062726X.2018.1490289
• Ni, L., Wang, Q., De la Flor, M. & Penaflor, R. (2015). Ethical community stakeholder engagement in the global environment: Strategies and Assessment. Public Relations Journal, 9(1), http://www.prsa.org/Intelligence/PRJournal/Vol9/No1/
• Ni, L., Wang, Q., & De la Flor, M. (2015). Intercultural communication competence and preferred public relations practices. Journal of Communication Management, 19, 167-183. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-07-2012-0061
• Wang, Q., Ni, L., & De la Flor, M. (2014). An intercultural competence model of strategic public relations management in the Peru mining industry context. Journal of Public Relations Research, 26, 1-22. DOI: 10.1080/1062726X.2013.795864
• Kim, J-N., & Ni, L. (2013). Two types of public relations problems and integrating formative and evaluative research: A review of research programs within the behavioral, strategic management paradigm. Journal of Public Relations Research, 25, 1-29. DOI: 10.1080/1062726X.2012.723276
• Ni, L. (2012). Exploring the role of strategic relationship management in the formation of publics. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 6, 7-16. Doi: 10.1080/1553118X.2011.634867
• Ni, L. & Wang, Q. (2011). Anxiety and uncertainty management in an intercultural Setting: The impact on organization-public relationships. Journal of Public Relations Research, 23, 269-301. Doi: 10.1080/1062726X.2011.582205
• Ni, L. (2009). Strategic role of relationship building: Perceived links between employee-organization relationships and globalization strategies. Journal of Public Relations Research, 21, 100-120.
• Ni, L., & Kim, J-N. (2009). Classifying publics: Communication behaviors and problem-solving characteristics in controversial issues. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 3, 217-241.
• Kim, J-N., Ni. L., & Sha, B-L (2008). Breaking down the stakeholder environment: Explicating approaches to the segmentation of publics for public relations research. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 85, 751-768.
• Ni, L. (2007). Refined understanding of perspectives on employee-organization relationships: Themes and variations. Journal of Communication Management, 11, 53-70.
• Ni, L. (2006). Relationships as organizational resources: Examining public relations impact through its connection with organizational strategies. Public Relations Review, 32, 276-281.

Selected Grants

• Ni, L. (PI, 2020). Addressing Racism through Monitoring and Mitigation of Racially Charged Hate Crimes and Violence: An Interdisciplinary Approach. University of Houston President’s Grants to Enhance Research on Racism, $65,000.
• Ni, L. (Co-PI, 2020). RAPID: Collaborative: Location Privacy Preserving COVID-19 Symptom Map Construction via Mobile Crowdsourcing for Proactive Constrained Resource Allocation. National Science Foundation, $200,000 (UH portion $99,999).
• Ni, L. (2016). Intercultural public relations: Theories for managing relationships and conflicts with strategic publics. Project Completion Grant, UH CLASS ($4,000).
• Ni, L. (2016). A Model of Communication Effectiveness for Ethnic Community Organizations: Impact on Health of Hispanic Communities. The Center for Mexican American Studies ($3500).
• Foss, D., Johnson, L., Witt, A., & Ni, L. (2016). Deciding on the Fly: Contextual and Individual Antecedents of Phishing. Hobby Center for Public Policy, UH ($10,000).
• Ni, L. (2016). A Model of Communication Effectiveness for Ethnic Community Organizations: Impact on the Health of Minority Communities. UH Small Grants program ($3000).
• Ni, L., (2016). Exploring an Information Sharing Platform for Emergency Communication: The Role of Stakeholder Engagement in Social infrastructure Management. Research Progress Grant, UH CLASS ($3000).
• Ni, L. (PI), Wang, Q., de la Flor, M., & Penaflor, R. (2015). Ethical Community Stakeholder Engagement in the Global Environment: Impact on Relationship Management and Conflict Resolution. Page Legacy Scholar Travel Grant, Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication ($1,200).
• Ni, L. (PI), Xiao, Z., & Lu, Q. (2014). Urban Communication Foundation White Paper Grant ($10,000). A Model of Communication Effectiveness for Ethnic Community Organizations: Impact on the Health of Asian American Urban Residents. Urban Communication Foundation.
• Ni, L. (PI), Wang, Q., de la Flor, M., & Penaflor, R. (2013). Ethical Community Stakeholder Engagement in the Global Environment: Impact on Relationship Management and Conflict Resolution. Page Legacy Scholar Grant, Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication ($3,000).
• Ni, L. (2012). Immigration Experiences and Mental Health: The Role of Intercultural Communication Competencies and Organization-Public Relationships. Grant-in-Aid, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, University of Houston ($6,000).
• Ni, L. (2011). Formative Research on Public Segmentation and Relationships Management: Effects on Community Outreach. Asian American Studies Center Research Grant, University of Houston ($4,500).
• Ni, L. (2010). Relationship Management as an Integral Part of Strategic Management: Making Strategic Contributions and Being Managed Strategically. Small Grants Program, University of Houston ($3,000).

Honors

• Ni, L. (2018, Faculty advisor for Me to We campaign of 2017). Gold Excalibur Award in the 33rd Annual Excalibur Awards, Public Service and Non-Profit Campaigns, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Houston Chapter.
• Ni, L. (Faculty advisor for Me to We campaign, July, 2017). Third Place Winner in the national Peer to Peer: Challenging Extremism competition sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, managed by EdVenture Partners and supported by Facebook.
• Ni, L., De la Flor, Romero, B, & Wang, Q. (March, 2017).  Community Engagement and Public Health: A Qualitative Study of Strategic Communication of Hispanic Community Organizations. Paper won the Jackson-Sharpe Award ($2,000) at International Public Relations Research Conference, Orlando, FL.
• Ni, L. (2017). Valenti Impact Awards – Outstanding Teaching Award.
• Ni, L. (2016).   Intercultural public relations: Theories for managing relationships and conflicts with strategic publics. Project Completion Grant, UH CLASS ($4,000).
• Ni, L. (2016). A Model of Communication Effectiveness for Ethnic Community Organizations: Impact on Health of Hispanic Communities. The Center for Mexican American Studies ($3500).
• Foss, D., Johnson, L., Witt, A., & Ni, L. (2016). Deciding on the Fly:  Contextual and Individual Antecedents of Phishing. Hobby Center for Public Policy, UH ($10,000).
• Ni, L. (2016). A Model of Communication Effectiveness for Ethnic Community Organizations: Impact on the Health of Minority Communities. UH Small Grants program ($3000).
• Ni, L., (2016). Exploring an Information Sharing Platform for Emergency Communication: The Role of Stakeholder Engagement in Social infrastructure Management. Research Progress Grant, UH CLASS ($3000).
• Ni, L. (PI), Wang, Q., de la Flor, M., & Penaflor, R. (2015). Ethical Community Stakeholder Engagement in the Global Environment: Impact on Relationship Management and Conflict Resolution. Page Legacy Scholar Travel Grant, Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication ($1,200).
• Ni, L., Wang, Q., & Gogate, A. (May, 2015). A communication-based model of acculturation experiences and mental health of immigrants: Stories from Indian immigrants. Top Paper Award, Intercultural Communication Division, International Communication Association.
• August, 2014. The 2013 (Inaugural) Top Downloaded Article Award ($250) from Journal of Public Relations Research. The article’s title is “Two Types of Public Relations Problems and Integrating Formative Evaluative Research: A Review of Research Programs within the Behavioral, Strategic Management Paradigm,” co-authored with Jeong-Nam Kim.
• Ni, L. (2014). Urban Communication Foundation Fellow.
• Ni, L. (2013-2014). Page and Johnson Legacy Scholar for the 2013-2014 academic year, Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication.
• Ni, L. (PI), Xiao, Z., & Lu, Q. (2014). Urban Communication Foundation White Paper Grant ($10,000). A Model of Communication Effectiveness for Ethnic Community Organizations: Impact on the Health of Asian American Urban Residents.  Urban Communication Foundation.
• Ni, L. (PI), Wang, Q., de la Flor, M., & Penaflor, R. (2013). Ethical Community Stakeholder Engagement in the Global Environment: Impact on Relationship Management and Conflict Resolution. Page Legacy Scholar Grant, Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication ($3,000).
• Ni, L. (2012). Immigration Experiences and Mental Health: The Role of Intercultural Communication Competencies and Organization-Public Relationships. Grant-in-Aid, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, University of Houston ($6,000).
• Ni, L. (2011). Formative Research on Public Segmentation and Relationships Management: Effects on Community Outreach. Asian American Studies Center Research Grant, University of Houston ($4,500).
• Wang, Q., Cai, D. A., Fink, E. L., Wang, W., & Ni, L. (2011, Nov). Moderating effect of culture on the model of conflict avoidance strategies: A U.S.-China comparison. Paper presented at the Top Paper Session at the National Communication Association 97th Annual Convention, New Orleans.
• Czarnecka, A. & Ni, L. (2011, March). Exploring the effects of organization-public relationship and communication coorientation on organizational reputation in a higher education setting. Paper presented at the 14 ^th Annual International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL. This paper won the Institute for Public Relations Top Three Paper Award ($1,000).
• Ni, L. (2010). Relationship Management as an Integral Part of Strategic Management: Making Strategic Contributions and Being Managed Strategically. Small Grants Program, University of Houston ($3,000).
• Ni, L. (2009). Relationship Management as an Integral Part of Strategic Management: Making Strategic Contributions and Managed Strategically. Work-Study Student Training and Research (STAR) Program, University of Houston ($4,000). [The undergraduate student RA withdrew later from the program for personal reasons.]
• Ni, L., Kim, J-N., & Lee, E-J. (2008, November). Classifying publics: Communication behaviors and problem-solving characteristics in controversial issues. Paper presented at the Top Three Papers session at the National Communication Association Annual Convention, San Diego, CA .
• Lee, J., Heath, R. L., Ni, L., & Waymer, D. (2007). Professional challenges: Communicating with diverse publics during risk and crisis. Small Grants Program, University of Houston ($3,000).
• Ni, L. (2007). Anxiety and Uncertainty Management in an Intercultural Setting: The impact on University-Student Relations. New Faculty Research Program, University of Houston ($6,000).
• Lee, J., Heath, R. L., Ni, L., & Waymer, D. (2006). Professional challenges: Communicating with diverse publics during risk and crisis. Proposal awarded funding from Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Research Foundation ($10,000).
• Ni, L. (2005). Exploring the value of public relations in strategy implementation – Employee relations in the globalization process . Susanne Roschwalb Award for International Research and Study ($500). Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• Ni, L. (2005). National Runner-up for Ketchum Excellence in PR Research Award
  A Grant and Internship Program sponsored by the Institute for Public Relations and Ketchum public relations firm. 
• Ni, L. (May, 2003). Cross-situational component of the situational theory ( Top Student Paper). Paper presented in the Public Relations division, International Communication Association, San Diego, CA.

Close

• Ni, L. (2016). Blog post on Institute for Public Relations, Organizational Communication Research Center: http://www.instituteforpr.org/employee-relations-globalization-context-perceptions-immigrant-professionals/
• Ni, L., & Wang, Q. (2015). Blog post on Arthur Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication: http://comm.psu.edu/page-center/article/ethical-community-stakeholder-engagement-in-the-global-environment-strategi
  

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