Date of Graduation
Fall 2025
Degree
Master of Arts in Writing
Department
English
Committee Chair
Rhonda Stanton
Abstract
This thesis investigates the rhetorical construction of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) crisis communication at public universities. Using qualitative document analysis, the study applies a custom-built rubric—grounded in best practices from crisis communication and social justice technical communication scholarship—to evaluate public-facing DEI statements from eight universities across states. The analysis focuses on language choice, message content, delivery structure, and audience segmentation to assess how institutions communicate under political pressure. Findings demonstrate that technical and professional communication (TPC) principles—particularly those emphasizing audience-centeredness, structural clarity, and linguistic justice—offer institutions a replicable framework for crafting more inclusive and effective crisis messages. This research contributes a model for evaluating institutional communication strategies and underscores the value of social justice frameworks in professional writing contexts, particularly during periods of political constraint and public scrutiny.
Keywords
crisis communication, DEI, higher education, technical communication, social justice
Subject Categories
Technical and Professional Writing
Copyright
© Abigail Zajac
Recommended Citation
Zajac, Abigail, "Editorial Ethics and Institutional Stability: Technical Editing Practices in Higher Education Crisis Communication" (2025). Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 4134.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/4134
