Daniel Cronn-Mills, Ph.D.

Education

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• M.A. in Speech Communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato
• B.A. in Speech Communication and Mass Communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato

Biography

A native of Lake Crystal, MN (just down the road from the University), Cronn-Mills earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Speech Communication and Mass Communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato. A master’s degree from in Speech Communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Big Red!).

Cronn-Mills has an extensive background in forensics (competitive speech and debate) competing in high school and college, coaching during his master’s and doctoral programs, and serving as the Director of Forensics for 11 years at Minnesota State University, Mankato. A rhetorician and forensic scholar, Cronn-Mills has published more than 45 articles, five book chapters, and three books: A qualitative analysis of the Jehovah's Witnesses: The Rhetoric, Reality and Religion in the Watchtower Society (1999), Religious Misperception: The Case of Muslims and Christians in France and Britain (2011), and Understanding Communication Research Methods: A Theoretical and Practical Approach (2014, 2019).

Cronn-Mills has served as the editor of the national peer-reviewed journal Speaker & Gavel, and served on the editorial review board of 11 state, regional, and national journals. Cronn-Mills is a past president of the American Forensic Association. Prior to becoming a professor, Cronn-Mills was in media relations with KMSU public radio and a copy editor with the Owatonna’s People Press.

Recent Publications

• Croucher, S. M. & Cronn-Mills, D. (2025). Understanding communication research methods: A theoretical and practical approach (4th ed.). Routledge.
• Gent, W., Sauter, S., & Cronn-Mills, D. (2020) Validity and the art of rhetorical criticism. Annals of the International Communication Association, 44, 201-209. https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.2020.1792792.
• Chouinard, M., & Cronn-Mills, D. (2017). Speech and debate. In H. Giles & J. Harwood (Eds.), Encyclopedia of intergroup communication. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Kuyper, C., & Cronn-Mills, D. (2016). Chapter 24: Intercollegiate forensics and mastering the magic of words: Why take the time, effort, and energy to compete in intercollegiate forensics? In K. Vaidya (Ed.), Communication for the curious: Why study communication? (A decision-making guide to college majors, research & scholarships, and career counseling for students, educators and parents). Amazon: The Curious Academic.
• Werner, J. B., & Cronn-Mills, D. (2016). Rhetorical theory. In S. M. Croucher (Ed.), Understanding communication theory: A beginner’s guide (pp. 262-287). New York, NY: Routledge.

Awards, Honors, Recognitions:

• Faculty Partner of the Year. (2018-2019). In recognition of outstanding partnership and work with IT Solutions at MNSU Mankato. “We appreciate your drive, passion, and leadership in working together to enhance and innovate teaching, learning, and student success.”
• Greater Mankato Pathfinder Award. (2019). Co-recipient with Dr. Kirstin Cronn-Mills as founders of the Ally Network of MN. The award, created in 1986 and sponsored by Greater Mankato Growth, recognizes individuals or organizations who, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., are initiators or action takers in the struggle for equal treatment, human rights and non-violence. The award represents the ideal all people should be treated fairly and equally without the fear of discrimination on any basis. Ally Network vow: We stand today, tomorrow, and the next for those who struggle to fit in America. For those who are LGBTQIAA, for those who are minorities, for those of different faiths, for those of different backgrounds, for those of different abilities, for women, we've got your back. All who hold these values are welcome.
• Claire E. Faust Public Service Award. (2017). The award recognizes a Minnesota State University, Mankato employee for outstanding service to the university, community, state and nation. The award is named after Claire E. Faust, former Vice President of Administrative Affairs at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
• Diversity Champion Award. (2017). The award recognizes a person who has actively supported/promoted/celebrated through his/her words and deeds diversity in the state, region and/or University. Presented at the Student Leadership Award Ceremony, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
• American Forensic Association Distinguished Service Award. (2011). American Forensic Association. The award recognizes a history of service to the American forensics community, a positive impact on forensics in research, educational practices, community development, and a career as a model for forensic professionals. The award is one of the highest honors conferred by the forensic community.

Curriculum Vita:

• Daniel Cronn-Mills