Brockport Today

Student Develops New Communication Model

Research about young adult relationships to be integrated into program curriculum.

Name: Emmie White ’22

Major: Communications (undergraduate), Liberal Studies (graduate)

During a conversation with one of her instructors, White shared that she felt the communications curriculum should include examining how young adults navigate relationships. She was encouraged to research the topic in an independent study. Now her work is being integrated into the instructor’s courses.

Describe the research you did during your independent study.

I looked at young adult relationships and how they form or fall apart. Why they are successful or not and what the research shows about the positives and negatives about childhood in relation to young adult relationships.

What are three takeaways from your research?

1. My unit on relational transgressions (infidelity, jealousy, deception, and hurtful communication) was most applicable to teaching. I felt that area of research needed some serious consideration, I also felt like there was so much room for me to grow in that area of study. I can confirm that I did learn immensely during that phase.
2. I developed my very own communication model: the PCE model (pronounced “peace”). I created the model to help students dissipate conflict in relationships. Patience, Conversation, and Evaluation are three tangible steps that young adults can follow to put a disagreement to rest. It may seem simple, but research showed how rarely proper steps are taken.
3. So many of our interactions with others are founded in our upbringing. Childhood, parental influence, and education are sound foundations to our ability to be successful in relationships…it’s more of our foundation than any of us realize.

What stands out about your Brockport experience?

What stands out to me is the faculty. The faculty that I have worked with care so much. They were kind and compassionate and that marked most of my academic experience.

Which faculty member made the biggest impact on you?

Joe Chesebro. (After switching majors) I didn’t know if it would still be possible to graduate on the timeline I wanted to and he guaranteed that I could do it. He was super attentive. He guided me through my independent study and my thesis work. He was phenomenal in allowing me to be flexible and explorative.

Dr. Chesebro also offered incredible insights as to how to ask probing questions that make students invested in what you had to say. He offered ways to present information that would be appealing to students. These are such helpful skills as I move forward.

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