Professor Linford is a Visiting Professor of Communication at Utah Tech University, where she teaches a variety of communication courses. She earned her MA from SUU in 2020 and is currently ABD at Regent University, where she is completing her PhD in Communication, expected in 2026. Her research interests include gender communication, political communication, religious communication, rhetoric, and popular culture. Her recent work explores how individuals who disaffiliate from religion navigate the uncertainty that follows. This research will appear in the Journal of Communication and Religion’s upcoming issue, and additional work is forthcoming in the Journal of Replication in Communication Research. Professor Linford’s academic journey began in student journalism, where she discovered a passion for storytelling that bridges differences and builds understanding. That experience continues to inform her teaching philosophy, which emphasizes curiosity, empathy, and ethical communication. She has presented her work at national conferences such as BEA and PCA.