Meet Our Faculty

Justin Borowsky
Professor of Communication
Email: jborowsky@cocc.edu 

With his Ph.D. in interpersonal and family community from the University of Denver, Justin wants students to know that he wasn’t always so certain of his career path. "I never knew I wanted to study hostage situations, but I became curious about the topic and then pursued it." Justin went on to be published in the field of hostage negotiations and serve as a law enforcement consultant. "I really encourage students to be curious and to follow what they find fascinating and try to build those opportunities into my classes." 

Justin focuses on hands-on learning, where students get to practice communication skills. One of his favorite classes to teach is Interpersonal Communication. "I love seeing students begin to understand their own communication behaviors and how actions impact those we care about." 

(Photo Coming Soon)

Lisa Merritt
Assistant Professor of Communication
lmerritt@cocc.edu

With more than three decades of teaching experience, Lisa views education as a collaborative process where learning flows in both directions. She believes students bring unique perspectives, experiences and insights that continually deepen her own understanding of communication. “I love the positive, optimistic energy of a college campus — it gives me hope for the future,” she says.

Lisa is passionate about helping students develop communication skills they can immediately apply in their personal and professional lives. “The most rewarding part of my career is hearing from former students about how their communication skills have positively influenced their lives.”

She holds a master’s degree in communication consultancy and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, both from Oklahoma State University. Lisa began her college journey at Eastern Oklahoma State College and finds it especially meaningful to now teach at a community college after 23 years on the faculty at Louisiana Tech University.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys cycling, swimming, paddling, Nordic skiing and relaxing with a good book and cup of coffee.

Nikki Truscelli
Assistant Professor of Communication
Email: ntruscelli@cocc.edu

Nikki holds a Ph.D. in communication and a master’s degree in counseling. Her academic and professional work centers on close relationships and attachment, emphasizing the vital role communication plays in well-being. Nikki integrates experiential and community-engaged learning into her courses, encouraging students to connect theory with lived experience. Her teaching philosophy focuses on fostering authentic dialogue, self-awareness and practical communication skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Through a blend of reflection and hands-on experience, Nikki helps students deepen their understanding of themselves and others — using communication as a tool to create meaningful change in their communities. Outside of the classroom, Nikki can be found taking or teaching a yoga class, or moving her body in the mountains under the sun.

(Photo coming soon)

Anne Zmyslinski-Seelig
Associate Professor of Communication
Email: azmyslinskiseelig@cocc.edu 

Anne loves teaching students how to communicate more effectively in the close relationships that matter most to them. For this reason, Anne’s favorite classes to teach include Interpersonal Communication, Communicating Love, Listening, and Emotional Intelligence. Anne earned her Ph.D. in interpersonal communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; her dissertation focused on how couples talk about money. In the future, Anne would like to continue this line of research and also research other topics relevant to close relationships, such as how parents talk to their kids about sex.  

Outside of teaching, Anne serves as a volunteer and board member for Community Solutions where volunteers use mediation skills to help people have difficult conversations.