Dr. Darlene Carbajal

Dr. Darlene Carbajal is an Associate Professor in the Communication Arts Department at the University of the Incarnate Word. She teaches courses in the multimedia concentration where she implements pedagogical approaches that help students make connections between the communication discipline and their role and responsibility to enhance human connectedness. Her research interests include the role of spirituality in higher education and the pedagogical and mentoring approaches that faculty use to facilitate the spiritual development of students. Using learner-centered approaches, development of the whole person and academic learning are intertwined. Students learn discipline-related content that prepares them to enter future careers and simultaneously complete lessons and explore questions of meaning and purpose. Dr. Carbajal has 10 years of experience teaching in K-12 public education. Her personal interests include searching for new ways to engage in self-reflective practices and going to rock concerts. Dr. Carbajal is a proud El Paso, Texas, native.

• B.A. University of the Incarnate Word, 2003
• M.A. University of the Incarnate Word, 2005
• Ph.D. University of the Incarnate Word, 2017

• Associate Professor, Communication Arts, University of the Incarnate Word (2023 - present), San Antonio, TX.
• Assistant Professor, Communication Arts, University of the Incarnate Word (2017 – 2023), San Antonio, TX.
• Adjunct Faculty, Communication Arts University of the Incarnate Word (2011 - 2017), San Antonio, TX.
• Technology Applications Teacher, Alamo Heights Junior School (2012 – 2017), San Antonio, TX.
• Career and Technical Education Teacher, Sam Houston High School (2007 – 2012), San Antonio, TX.

Publications

• Blanton, R., & Carbajal, D. (2019). Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman: A Critical Case Study on Social Media, Deception, and Lil Miquela. In Innocent E. Chiluwa (Covenant University, Nigeria) and Sergei A. Samoilenko (George Mason University, USA) (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Deception, Fake News, and Misinformation Online (pp. 87-103). Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA: IGI Global.
• Greenberg, V. & Carbajal, D. (2009). Using Convergent Media to Engage Graduate Students in a Digital and Electronic Writing class: Some Surprising Results. Proceedings of E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2009 (pp. 2640-2644). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)

Manuscripts in Progress

• Carbajal, D. & Ramirez, Q. (conclusion section). Applying Communication Theory to Social Media Influencers: A Case Study on Social Media Influencers, the LaBrant Family, targeted for Communication Research.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Presentations

• Calvino, A. & Carbajal, D. (2020). Instagram Weight Loss: Realistic Journey Content vs. Enchanted Content. 2020 Southwest Fulbright Symposium, San Antonio, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. & Ramirez, Q. (2020, January). Social Media Influencers: Learn More About Our Students' World. Lilly Conferences on College and University Teaching and Learning, Austin, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. (2019, April). Inclusive Moves: How Well Do We Know Our Students? Fulbright San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. & Herbers, S. (2019, January). When Students Search for Meaning, Am I A Professional Guide? Lilly Conferences on College and University Teaching and Learning, San Antonio, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. (2018, February). Spirituality in a Faith-Based Institution: Facilitating the Spiritual Development of Students. Poster presented at the 11th Annual Research Week, San Antonio, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. (2017, November). Spirituality in a Faith-Based Institution: Facilitating the Spiritual Development of Students. Annual Doctoral Student Research Symposium, San Antonio, Texas.

Selected Lectures and Workshops

• Alexander, L. & Carbajal, D. (2020, January). Creative Problem Solving for All! Workshop. Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers Association of Texas. San Antonio, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. (2019, January) Moving beyond the content: Finding spirituality in all things. Invited Speaker. Becoming Beholders Day of Reflection. University of the Incarnate Word Center for Teaching and Learning and Mission and Ministry. San Antonio, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. (2019, November). Commitment and Consistency: Self-Directed Learning. Invited speaker. Dreeben School of Education Graduate Research Symposium. University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. (2019, November). Good Experiences with Service Learning. Invited speaker. Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability. University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas.
• Carbajal, D. (2018, November). Service Learning: Four Models. Invited speaker. University of the Incarnate Word Center for Teaching and Learning and Ettling Center for Civic Leadership. San Antonio, Texas.

• National Communication Association, 2020 – Present
• Fulbright Association, 2019-Present
• American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), 2019-2019

• Nominated for the 2019 Presidential Teaching Award, University of the Incarnate Word, 2019
• Outstanding Graduate Student 2004-2005, University of the Incarnate Word
• TCEA Robotics Area 20 Inventions Competition: Student placed 1st place and 3rd place, 2013-2014
• TCEA Robotics State Inventions Competition, 2013-2014, Deer Park, TX.
• TCEA Robotics Area 20 Inventions Competition: Student placed in 1st place, 2014-2015
• TCEA Robotics State Inventions Competition: 5th place, 2014-2015, Dallas, TX.
• SAISD Instructional Technology, Making It Happen Award, 2010-2011

Selected Service

• Dissertation Committee, Gina Pagano, Dreeben School of Education, University of the Incarnate Word, 2020-Present
• Capstone Chair, Stephen Aguirre, The Heart of UIW, University of the Incarnate Word, Fall 2020
• Faculty Participant, 9-11 Remembrance Service, University of the Incarnate Word, 2020
• Event Facilitator, KUIW 15-Year Anniversary Celebration, University of the Incarnate Word, 2020
• Event Facilitator, Lambda Pi Eta, University of the Incarnate Word, 2020
• Event Facilitator, Meet the Masters, University of the Incarnate Word, 2019-2020
• Capstone Chair, Jason Futrell, Improving UIW Student Mental Health: A Puppet Centered PSA Campaign, University of the Incarnate Word, Spring 2020
• Faculty Participant, Mission Leadership Academy, University of the Incarnate Word, 2019-2020
• Capstone Chair, Auris Calvino, Weight Loss Instagram Influence: A Comparative Analysis of the Popularity of Realistic Weight Loss Journey, Content vs. Enchanted Content, University of the Incarnate Word, Fall 2019
• Capstone Chair, Anthony Gollab, Communication Through Music Therapy: Enhancing the Quality of Life Through the Power of Music, University of the Incarnate Word, Fall 2019
• Capstone Committee Member, JJ Lopez, Advancing KUIW: A Business Plan for Continued Services, University of the Incarnate Word, Fall 2019
• Faculty Team Leader, Meet the Mission, University of the Incarnate Word, 2019
• School of Media and Design Representative, Institutional Effectiveness Council, 2019-2021
• Group Discussion Leader, Lilly Fellows Program Conference, Baylor University, 2019
• School of Media and Design Event Coordinator, 2020 Hoopla SMD Celebration, 2019
• Communication Arts Event Coordinator, 1st Annual Communication Arts Student Showcase, 2019
• Faculty Presenter, Becoming Beholders A Day of Reflection, 2019
• Capstone Chair, Brittany Deike, The Social Game: A Mixed Methods Approach to Exploring the Benefits of Video Games, University of the Incarnate Word, Fall 2018
• Content Contributor to promote UIW Heritage Days, UIW Mission & Media Ministry, 2018
• Faculty Volunteer, Word in Action Service Day, University of the Incarnate Word 2018
• School of Media and Design Representative, Response Systems Clicker Committee, UIW, 2018
• Faculty Participant, Interfaith Literacy, Fluency, and Service Grant Program, UIW, 2018
• Content Creator, Tricentennial Festival—Mi Casa es Su Casa! Christus Santa Rosa Health System, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and UIW, 2018
• Content Creator, UIW Mission & Ministry Media, 2018
• Faculty Participant, Mission Leadership Retreat, UIW Mission and Ministry and UIW, 2018
• Faculty Presenter, Service Learning: Four Models, UIW Center for Teaching & Learning and the Ettling Center, 2018
• Faculty Participant, Client draping project for students in a Fashion Design, 2018
• Faculty Team Leader, Meet the Mission, University of the Incarnate Word, 2017
• Faculty Participant, Increasing the Learning in Experiential Learning, UIW Center for Teaching & Learning, 2017
• Faculty Participant, Interfaith Literacy for All UIW Employees, UIW Center for Teaching & Learning, 2017
• School of Media and Design Representative, Presenting Our Gift, Mass of the Holy Spirit, 2017

Undergraduate Courses

• Computer Literacy for Communication Arts
• Convergent Media
• Design, Layout and Print Production
• Event Planning
• Introduction to Creative Publishing
• Multimedia Design and Production

Graduate Courses

• Seminar in Convergent Media