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Olga Davis

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Hugh Downs School Of Human Communication
Professor and Associate Dean
Academic Prof w/Admin Appt, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 1205
Barrett Honors College
Associate Dean, Downtown
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 1205
Barrett Honors College - Downtown
Associate Dean, Downtown
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 1205
Biography: 

Olga Idriss Davis is passionate about enhancing communication to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations. She helped establish a health coalition for refugee women in Maricopa County and was appointed by Governor Napolitano to serve on the State Commission on Women’s and Children’s Health. In addition, Davis is intricately involved in promoting health among the African American community in Arizona. She works with the Phoenix-based Coalition of Blacks Against Breast Cancer and has created a narrative play, "The Journey: Living Cancer Out Loud," based on interviews of the experience of African American survivors and caregivers of breast cancer which has been performed in various community and hospital venues in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Raising awareness in Black barbershops, Davis addresses knowledge of cardiovascular disease among African American men in Phoenix, Arizona.

CV
Binary Data Curriculum Vitae
Education: 
  • Ph.D. Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • M.A. Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • B.S. Business and Finance, University of Redlands
  • Alumna - Drama Division, The Juilliard School, New York
Research Interests: 

identity, social determinants of health, health literacy, critical cultural studies, feminist and womanist performance

Publications: 
  • Davis, O.I. (as playwright Idriss, O.). Everything is (not) beautiful at the ballet. (2012).
  • Davis, O.I. Vigilance and solidarity in the rhetoric of the Black press: The Tulsa Star. Oppositional Discourses and Democracies (2010).
  • Davis, O.I. A visitation from the foremothers: Black women's healing through a performance of care -- from African diaspora to the American academy. Women's Studies in Communication (2008).
  • Olga Davis. A visitation from the foremothers: Black women's healing through a 'performance of care' - from African diaspora to American academy. Women's Studies in Communication (2008).
  • Davis, O.I. Rhetorical memory of Black women in the Tulsa Race Riot: Honoring Mrs. Willie Mae Thompson. (2008).
  • Wilson, August/ Olga Idriss / Chuck Smith. "The Gem of the Ocean" -- character: Aunt Ester. (2008).
  • Davis, Olga Idriss. Performing (Il)literacy: Redefining the black parental body in the culture of schooling. Once Upon a Time in a Different World Conflicts Controversies and Celebrations in African American Children's Literature (2007).
  • Davis, Olga Idriss (Author) . I Rose and Found My Voice Claiming Voice in the Rhetoric of Ida B Wells. Black Women's Intellectual Traditions Speaking Their Minds (2007).
  • Davis, O.I. Haiti Cherie: Haitian women's cultural resistance in the performance of literature. (2007).
  • Olga Davis. Writing Her Way through the Struggle The Scholarship of Marsha Houston. NCA Women's Voices Newsletter of the Women's Caucus and the Feminist and Women's Studies Division (2006).
  • Davis, Olga Idriss. I rose and found my voice: Claiming voice in the rhetoric of Ida B. Wells. Speaking Their Minds Black Feminism in the 19th Century (2006).
  • Davis, O.I. Performing Ethnography/ Performing Human Rights. (2006).
  • Olga Davis. Everybody Wanna Sing My Blues Nobody Wanna Live My Blues The implications of Black Sexual Politics on Critical Performance Studies. NCA Women's Voices Newsletter of the Women's Caucus and the Feminist & Women's Studies Division (2005).
  • Olga Davis. Vigilance and Solidarity in the Rhetoric of the Black Press The Tulsa Star. The Journal of Intergroup Relations (2005).
  • Olga Davis. Snoop Dig and Resurrect What Can Scholars of African American Communication Learn from the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. Electronic Journal of Communication NCA sponsored (2003).
  • Olga Davis. What Have We Not Learned about Diversity in the University. International Communication Association ICA Newsletter (2002).
  • Olga Davis, J Martinez, T Nakayama. Coloring the Communication Experience Using Personal Narratives to Redefine Success of Students of Color in Communication. Included in Communication Learning Climates that Cultivate Racial and Ethnic Diversity (2002).
  • Houston, M, Davis, Olga Idriss. Centering Ourselves African American Feminist and Womanist Studies of Discourse. (2002).
  • Davis, Olga Idriss (Author) . Theorizing African American Women's Rhetoric The Public and Private Spheres of Experience. Centering Ourselves African American Feminist and Womanist Studies of Discourse (2002).
  • Houston, M,Davis, Olga Idriss (Author) . Introduction A Black Women's Angle of Vision on Communication Studies. Centering Ourselves African American Feminist and Womanist Studies of Discourse (2002).
  • . Current and Future Directions in Ethnicity and Methodology. (2002).
  • Shannon, RJ, Thompson, W, Freeman-Maney, B., Davis, OI, Hines-Davis, B. African American legislative health committee presents an overview of health issues concerning African Americans in Arizona: Health disparities in Arizona's racial and ethnic populations living and dying in Arizona. (A White Paper). The State of Black Arizona, Arizona Public Service, 2008 (0).
Research Activity: 
Fall 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 446Perform Lit Written by Women
HON 492Honors Directed Study
HON 493Honors Thesis
HON 498Pro-Seminar
HON 499Individualized Instruction
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 446Perform Lit Written by Women
HON 492Honors Directed Study
HON 493Honors Thesis
HON 498Pro-Seminar
HON 499Individualized Instruction
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
HON 492Honors Directed Study
HON 493Honors Thesis
HON 498Pro-Seminar
HON 499Individualized Instruction
COM 691Seminar
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 225Public Speaking
COM 446Perform Lit Written by Women
COM 690Reading and Conference
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 442Identity, Perf, Human Comm
COM 691Seminar
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 442Identity, Perf, Human Comm
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 225Public Speaking
COM 442Identity, Perf, Human Comm
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 225Public Speaking
COM 442Identity, Perf, Human Comm
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
COM 442Identity, Perf, Human Comm
COM 493Honors Thesis
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
COM 499Individualized Instruction
Presentations: 
  • Davis, O.I. The kitchen legacy: The health experience of Black female slaves in pre-emancipatory America. Johns Hopkins University International Conference on Health in the African Diaspora of the Americas (Jul 2012).
  • Davis, O.I., Marsiglia, F.F., Baird, K., Ma, A. Identifying trends in perception of care through a community needs assessment survey. SIRC 10th Annual Research Conference (Apr 2012).
  • Davis, O.I. Bridging the Gap: Narrative as a Bridge to African American Women's Experience. NCA 2010 (Nov 2010).
  • Davis, O.I. Building Bridges of Health Literacy: African American Health and Sustainability. NCA 2010 (Nov 2010).
  • Davis, O.I. Difficult Dialogues: Building Bridges in Feminist Communication. NCA 2010 (Nov 2010).
  • Davis, O.I. Lifting as we Climb, Building as we Grow: (Re) defining the Discourse of Medical Minority Education. 35th Annual National Association of Medical Minority Educators, Inc. (NAMME) conference in Richmond, (Sep 2010).
  • O.I. Davis, Bean, K.F., Valdez, H., Dustman, P., and Marsiglia, F. Interactive health kiosks: Increasing community access to health information. Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC) Annual Research Conference (Apr 2010).
  • Davis, O.I. Who will comfort me?: Black women's health as a new frontier in feminist communication studies. National Communication Association Convention (NCA) (Nov 2009).
  • Davis, O.I., McBride, D., Nagoshi, J. & Bapat, M. Decreasing health disparities through technology: Building a community health website. SIRC Annual Research Conference (Apr 2009).
  • Davis, O.I. Racial and ethnic disparities in health care in Arizona. Faces of Diversity Series, Channel 11, Phoenix Human Relations Commission and Equal Opportunity Dept (Jul 2008).
  • Davis, O.I. Developing the Center for African American Health, Arizona. Strategic Leadership Committee (Jun 2008).
  • Davis, O.I., Underwood, P., Welch, V.L., Marsiglia, F.F., McBride, D., Dustman, P. CHOICES in health disparities: The Black Church and ABC, Inc. target cardiovascular disease in African American communities. SIRC Annual Research Conference (Apr 2008).
  • Davis, Olga. "From Stage to Page: Performative Writing as Critical Care in the Pursuit of Creative Scholarship". WSCA Program Panel for the Organization for Research on Women and Communication, Sessions 1 and 2 (Feb 2008).
  • Davis, O.I. HIV/AIDS in Black faith communities of Phoenix, Arizona. White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (Jan 2008).
  • Davis, O.I. Weaving transnational ties: Culture as performance in the works of Edwidge Danticut. Haitian Institute Association Conference (Oct 2007).
  • Davis, Olga. HIV AIDS in the Black Faith Communities of Phoenix Arizona. The White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (May 2007).
  • Davis, Olga. Barbershop Cuisine Performing Healthy Living in African American Barbershops. National Communication Association Convention (Nov 2006).
  • Davis, Olga. Performance Ethnography Human Rights and the Black Diaspora. Performance Studies International (Jun 2006).
  • Davis, Olga. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc Finerwomanhood Luncheon (Mar 2006).
  • Davis, Olga. Black Drama in Canada and the United States The Performance of Identity in the Works of D'janet Sears and Samm Art Williams. National Communication Association Convention (Nov 2005).
  • Davis, Olga. Giving a Sistah Her Due Celebrating the Scholarship of Dr Marsha Houston. National Communication Association Convention (Nov 2005).
  • Davis, Olga. Performing Cultural Heritage Preserving Women's Experience of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. National Communication Association Conference (Nov 2005).
  • Davis, Olga. Everybody Want To Sing My Blues Nobody Want to Live My Blues Black Sexual Politics and the Performance of the Black Female Body. NCA Convention Spotlight Panel on the Research of Patricia Hill Collins (Nov 2004).
  • Davis, Olga. Narrative Discourse of The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. National Communication Association Conference (Nov 2003).
  • Davis, Olga. Black Performance Studies Examining Narrative Discourse of Historical Events. National Communication Association (Nov 2002).
  • Davis, Olga. Builders of the Past. Black History Month Recognition Community (Feb 2002).
Service: 
  • World Communication Association (WCA), Committee Member, WCA - Social Media and Technology (2012 - 2015)
  • Coalition of Blacks Against Breast Cancer (CBBC), Researcher/Consultant (2010 - 2013)
  • Women's Studies in Communication, Editorial Board (2010 - 2013)
  • Women's Refugee Health Clinic of Arizona, Founding Board Member (2008 - 2013)
  • Critical Studies in Media Communication, Editorial Board (2011 - 2013)
  • Gastronomica, Reviewer (2010 - 2012)
  • Arizona Black AIDS Task Force, Board Member (2009 - 2012)
  • Center for African American Health (CAAHAz), Board Member (2007 - 2012)
  • Committee of Faculty, Member (2006 - 2012)
  • Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, Executive Council (2007 - 2012)
  • SIRC Executive Council for the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, Principal Investigator/Member, Executive Council (2007 - 2012)
  • National Communication Association, Dcotoral Education Committee (2008 - 2011)
  • Committee of Faculty, Member (2006 - 2011)
  • Graduate Faculty Committee, Member (2000 - 2011)
  • African American Strategic Leadership Development Committee, Consultant (2007 - 2010)
  • Office of the Governor, Governor-appointed Commissioner on Women's and Children's Health Commission (2008 - 2010)
  • Refugee Women's Health Clinic, Board Member (2008 - 2009)
  • Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved, Ad hoc reviewer (2008 - 2009)
  • Women's Studies in Communication, Editorial Board (2007 - 2009)
  • Women and Language, Editorial Board (2008 - 2009)
  • Executive Committee Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Member (2006 - 2009)
  • Cultural Health Initiative (CHI) of the American Heart Association, Chair for the CHI Task Force (2007 - 2008)
  • The State of Arizona Commission on African American Affairs, Member (2007 - 2008)
  • State Legislative Days Committee Health Disparities Committee, Commissioner (2006 - 2008)
  • Strategic Leadership Alliance, Speaker, Center of African American Health-Arizona CAAH-Az (2008 - 2008)
  • Women's Studies in Communication Journal, Editorial Board (2006 - 2008)
  • ASU, Faculty Senator (2007 - 2008)
  • ASU/ Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Graduate Studies Faculty (2007 - 2008)
  • Faculty Senate, Faculty Senator (2007 - 2008)
  • Nzinga Sisterhood Circle, Faculty Advisor (2007 - 2008)
  • ASU/ Nzinga Sisterhood Circle, Faculty Advisor (2007 - 2008)
  • Executive Committee of the Committee of Faculty (CoF), Member (2006 - 2008)
  • American Heart Association, Speaker - Power to End Stroke Community Awards Dinner (2007 - 2008)
  • Teaching Communication and Performance Skills in Black Faith Communities, Consultant (2007 - 2008)
  • Cultural Health Initiatives American Heart Association, Chair (2006 - 2008)
  • Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center SIRC, PI on NIH Grant (2007 - 2007)
  • Research Committee National Communication Association Performance Studies Division, Member (2006 - 2007)
  • AdHoc Committees Cultural Health Initiative Committee of the American Heart Association, Member (2005 - 2007)
  • Task Force Cultural Health Initiative Committee of the American Heart Association, Member (2005 - 2007)
  • Arizona Family Planning Council Task Force Prevention of Chlamydia and STDs in the African American Community in Arizona, Researcher Consultant Task Force Member (2004 - 2007)
  • National Communication Association, Research Committee (2006 - 2007)
  • Mayo Clinic Arizona Customer Service, Advisor/Consultant (2006 - 2007)
  • ASU, Moderator, Black and African Convocation (2007 - 2007)
  • CLAS, School Representative - CLAS Commencement (2007 - 2007)
  • Black and African Convocation, Introduction of Graduates (2007 - 2007)
  • Black and African Convocation, Speaker (2007 - 2007)
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Commencement, School Representative (2007 - 2007)
  • The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Participant and Convention Presenter (2007 - 2007)
  • Executive Committee, Member (2006 - 2007)
  • Hugh Downs School of Human Communication ASU, Academic Curriculum Coordinator (2005 - 2007)
  • Arizona State Legislature - African American Legislative Days, Chair, Health Disparities Forum Committee; Co-Chair Planning Committee (2006 - 2007)
  • Health Disparities Forum Committee Arizona State Legislature African American Legislative Days, Chair (2006 - 2007)
  • Planning Committee Arizona State Legislature African American Legislative Days, Co Chair (2006 - 2007)
  • Arizona State Senate African American Legislation Committee, Commissioner (2006 - 2006)
  • Health Disparities Committee State Senator Leah Landrum Taylor Advisory Council, Member (2006 - 2006)
  • African American Health Committee, Member (2003 - 2006)
  • PhD Selection Committee, Member (2005 - 2006)
  • Arizona House of Representatives Commission Arizona African American Legislative Days, Member (2005 - 2006)
  • Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Ph.D. Selection Committee (2005 - 2006)
  • Arizona Family Planning Council Task Force African American Sexually Transmitted Diseases AASHI, Member Consultant (2005 - 2005)
  • Arizona House of Representatives Arizona African American Legislative Days, Commissioner (2005 - 2005)
  • Committee African American Legislative Days, Member (2003 - 2005)
  • Academic Curriculum Coordinator Performance Studies Unit Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Academic Coordinator (2002 - 2005)
  • Personnel Committee Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Member (2003 - 2005)
  • Executive Committee Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Member (2003 - 2004)
  • Women and Language Journal, Editorial Board (1999 - 2004)
  • Search Committee Director The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Member (2003 - 2004)
  • Graduate Admission Committee Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Member (2003 - 2004)
  • Performance Studies Division National Communication Association Nominating Committee NCA, Western Region Representative (2002 - 2003)
  • Herberger Lecture Series Committee The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Committee Member (2002 - 2003)
  • Personnel Committee Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Member (1998 - 2002)
  • College of Public Programs Spring Commencement Ceremony, Reader (2002 - 2002)
  • Campus Environment Team CET Arizona State University, Coordinator and Planner (2001 - 2002)
  • Performance Studies Division Western States Communication Association, Program Planner (2001 - 2002)
  • Faculty Women's Association, Speaker (2001 - 2001)
  • The Cocoa Quilters Art Exhibit Memorial Union Art Gallery, Dramatist Creative Writer (2001 - 2001)
  • Transformation VI Rites of Passage for Young Women of African Heritage At Risk Youth Division, Workshop Consultant (2001 - 2001)
  • Ethnicity and Methodology International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Editor (2000 - 2001)
  • College of Public Programs, Speaker (2000 - 2000)
  • Governor Janet Napolitano, State of Arizona, Governor's Commission, Appointed Commissioner (Present)
  • National Communication Association NCA, (Present)
  • National Theatre Association NTA, (Present)
  • Western States Communication Association WSCA, (Present)
Expertise Areas: 
Health Communication
Performance Studies
Community Development
Critical Cultural Studies