04/30/2026

CSCA Names Dr. Leah E. Bryant Next Executive Director

At the CSCA 2026 Convention in Minneapolis earlier this month, the CSCA Executive Committee interviewed candidates to serve as our next Executive Director. We have selected Dr. Leah E. Bryant to serve in this important role. She will work closely with our Interim Executive Director, Dr. Tiffany R. Wang, over the next few months and officially transition on July 1, 2026.

Leah E. Bryant is an associate professor in the department of communication studies at DePaul University. She earned her BA in speech communication and psychology and MA from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) and PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research examines communication challenges in relational contexts and has appeared in international, national, and regional journals and conferences. She is the current president of the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) and served as Secretary and Treasurer. She is a past president of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) and a Hall of Fame inductee in 2026. She was awarded the NCA Teachers on Teaching Award and the Spirit of DePaul Award for service. She volunteers in the community at the Chicago Humanities Festival, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Lincoln Square - Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. She hasn’t met a dog or cat she didn’t love.