Keywords

COVID-19, medical communication, university communication, education, mixed methods research

Abstract

This dissertation addresses the lived experiences of Florida college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the communication that was provided to them through their university on the subject of the pandemic. This two-stage research process first involved the collection of survey responses on a variety of pandemic communication-centered topics from 39 university students from three universities (University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and University of South Florida). Second, a subsequent interview with 7 students provided qualitative information to further explicate themes and trends seen through data analysis.

Using health and technical communication alongside crisis communication analyses to understand what elements of university information transmission were most effective and recollected, the triangulation of data points and recommendations for future pandemic communication were able to be created in an effort to provide a better framework for student expectations in the future pandemics. Results of students’ opinions on their university’s communication were that overall messaging was strong and confidence in their institution was generally high, with some negative sentiments on how universities handled the struggle of clubs and universities and onboarding new students into the academic environment during the pandemic.

Recommendations were made for universities to prepare frameworks for university students to maintain their abilities to organize and join clubs during significant disruptions to campus life, to retain and build on the confidence students had in their position as an authority on health information, and to resume pandemic messaging due to the ongoing risks to health from long COVID and reinfection.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Stephens, Sonia

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

Texts & Technology

Degree Program

Texts & Technology Scientific and Technical Communication

Format

application/pdf

Release Date

8-15-2024

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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