The National Communication Association (NCA) recently presented University of Missouri Department of Theatre Chair M. Heather Carver with the 2021 Leslie Irene Coger Award for Distinguished Performance. The award honors a body of performance or an outstanding career in performance.

“NCA’s annual awards honor Communication scholars’ teaching, scholarship, and service,” NCA Interim Executive Director Linda Taliaferro, said. “NCA is proud to recognize Dr. Carver's significant contributions to the communication discipline with this award.”

A news release from the NCA called Carver’s work exemplary, saying she models the artist/scholar dynamic with a steadiness of inquiry, a boldness of tongue and a softness of reflexivity. Carver’s work explores issues associated with breast cancer and the difficulty and complexity of domestic violence. One of Carver’s colleagues wrote that she “provides strategies that are moving and inspiring — a brave and empathetic connection to people facing similar challenges.”