Margaret Pitts
On behalf of Graduate College
Maggie Pitts (PhD, Penn State, 2005) is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Arizona. Maggie employs qualitative research methods to explore positive communication in contexts such as interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and communication and aging. Positive communication refers to communication behaviors and practices that enhance personal and relational wellbeing and contribute to human flourishing (like communication savoring!). As co-founder of the Positive Communication Network, Maggie mentors graduate students and engages in research that meet these four criteria of Positive Communication Scholarship. (1) It is a rigorous scientific inquiry into the nature of communication excellence. (2) It focuses on both process and outcomes and is designed to generate new knowledge. (3) It takes an affirmative stance. (4) It cultivates communication praxis.
Maggie capitalizes on leadership opportunities to help create networks of support for students and scholars. She served as Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate College at the University of Arizona from July 2019-June 2025. In addition to being co-founder of the Positive Communication Network, she is also Fellow and Past President of the International Association of Language and Social Psychology. She has served in leadership roles in divisions and interest groups for both the National Communication Association and International Communication Association. In 2023, Maggie was recognized by the UA Office Research, Innovation, and Impact as Woman of Impact due in part to her leadership and innovation in graduate education across the University.
Maggie specializes in qualitative research methods including observation, interviewing, and focus groups. Her research is published in a variety of peer-reviewed journals including: The American Journal of Qualitative Research, Communication Monographs, Communication Quarterly, Health Communication, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Journal of Family Communication, Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, Journal of Language and Social Psychology, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Journal of Social Issues, Language and Communication, Personal Relationships, Qualitative Health Research, and Qualitative Research.
With more than 50 publications including edited books, peer-reviewed articles, and chapters, Maggie has an established program of research that examines communication within interpersonal and intercultural contexts especially during times of transition. Currently, she is developing the Grounded Model of Communication Savoring through a series of grounded/qualitative and empirical/experimental research.
Maggie teaches undergraduate courses in positive communication, communication theory, interpersonal communication, and intercultural communication at the University of Arizona. She gives graduate seminars in qualitative research m