Dr. Julie Welker
Dr. Julie Welker
Dr. Julie Welker is in her 17th year on the faculty at Howard Payne University. She is a 1994 graduate of HPU, and earned her master’s degree in communication studies from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, and her doctor of philosophy degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. She serves as the head of the Department of Communication.
Dr. Welker is a fourth generation educator. “I absolutely love teaching others. College students are so invigorating, and I enjoy sharing my life, my knowledge about communication, and my relationship with God with them. In return, I am learning daily from my students at HPU.”
Dr. Welker teaches many upper level communication classes, but she also teaches the basic human communication course required of all students at HPU. “Every student needs a communication class—social and interpersonal skills are in high demand, and in our rapidly changing technological environment, it’s important for students to learn these social skills that have a long shelf life.” She added that teaching her students critical thinking skills and developing a strong work ethic are important as well. “Students know that I expect them to come to class ready to work—to be ready to interact and give everything for the time we are in class.”
Dr. Welker also teaches in the Master of Business Administration and the Sport, Wellness, and Leadership masters programs at HPU.
Dr. Welker coaches HPU’s award-winning speech and debate team, Student Speaker Bureau. “Coaching our speech and debate program is such a blessing. Working with students who are bright and know so much about the world inspires me,” she said. Seeing students succeed in and out of the classroom is one of her greatest delights.
When she is not teaching, coaching, or traveling with the debate team, Dr. Welker enjoys pursuing academic research interests including speech and debate practices, family communication and faith communication. She has worked on numerous faculty and university committees and has served as the Faculty Assembly president for the last two years.
Dr. Welker, her husband, Rob Welker (’02), and their two children, son Asa and daughter Caroline, are active members of Early First Baptist Church, and are involved in all of their children’s many interests. Dr. Welker also serves as an officer for the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and volunteers teaching at the Christian Women’s Job Corps.
In her free time, Dr. Welker is an avid horsewoman. She enjoys riding and training her horse Charlie, working outdoors, and staying busy on their land. The Welkers raise honeybees, chickens, and enjoy a few cattle and their two horses. Dr. Welker is a fervent reader, and enjoys working out and staying active.