William A. Villaume, M.Div., M.A., Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Care Systems. After receiving his doctorate in Communication from The Ohio State University, he came to Auburn University in 1983 and taught in the Department of Communication and Journalism for 20 years. During that time he served on several graduate committees in Pharmacy Care Systems. He joined the PCS Department in the Fall of 2003 with primary responsibility for teaching communication and counseling in PYPC 5040. Bill’s research focuses on communication processes during social interaction. He has published research on how communication apprehension and interaction involvement affect participation in conversation. He has also done extensive research on the nature of listening tests, the role of inferencing in listening, the discovery of a second dimension of presbycusis (namely the inability to hear the vocalic elements in speech) and the development and validation of the Vocalic Sensitivity Test. Bill has published articles in Communication Monographs, Human Communication Research, the International Journal of Listening, and AJPE. He also is a four time recipient of the Nichols Award for top research paper at the annual convention of the International Listening Association. Currently, Bill’s research centers on 1) identifying patients’ schemas of antibiotics, and 2) applying discourse analysis to understand how students and practitioners learn Motivational Interviewing. Bill is also a professional level Authorware programmer. In addition to programming over 20 computer based training modules, he has developed the engine for the Auburn University Virtual Patient that allows students to verbally interact with a virtual patient on their computer screen. The AU Virtual Patient won the prestigious Innovation in Teaching Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in 2005. The AUVP uses digital video and speech recognition to allow students to experience Motivational Interviewing in a simulated face to face patient counseling environment.