Recipient of the AEJMC VisCom Teaching Award 2020, which recognizes excellence in
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Recipient of the Adobe Creative Educator badges, a professional development achievement. |
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I strive to empower students to become innovators within their chosen field. My courses are centered on socially responsive understandings of communication. I use examples to help students understand that our ideas are shaped by experiences, language, and imagery. Assignments are structured to challenge students to think critically and make informed decisions about the arguments presented in class. Through engaged discussions we recognize a common humanity while preserving important elements that constitute our differences. Building an environment where it is possible for the class to express its needs is important, this includes thoughtful feedback regarding related course materials.
I use a dynamic approach between lecture and practice. By allocating ample class time to hone technical skills, I am able to respond to students on an individual basis; which is especially applicable in courses that incorporate software, since students are usually at different stages of proficiency. Through hands-on class activities that require creativity and risk-taking, I try to provide students with opportunities for personal growth that can lead to intrinsic motivation. I try to cultivate enthusiasm for the study of communication through my own passion for the material. In courses that emphasize visual communication I facilitate a learning journey through assignments that allow students to find their own style, strengths, and voice as exemplified their award-winning work.
In the field of communication, collaboration encourages group bonding as well as a real working environment. Students always learn a great deal from each other since they come from such diverse backgrounds. Presentation is strongly emphasized in every class, I hold extremely high standards to students’ final projects, as they should do so themselves as emerging professionals. Aside from my interests in the formal classroom setting, I am also a firm believer in study abroad and/or field work as an intensive and immersive learning approach. As I review student evaluations, I appreciate reading that my courses ask them to think differently about communication and I am happy my students know that I value their educated opinions.
I use a dynamic approach between lecture and practice. By allocating ample class time to hone technical skills, I am able to respond to students on an individual basis; which is especially applicable in courses that incorporate software, since students are usually at different stages of proficiency. Through hands-on class activities that require creativity and risk-taking, I try to provide students with opportunities for personal growth that can lead to intrinsic motivation. I try to cultivate enthusiasm for the study of communication through my own passion for the material. In courses that emphasize visual communication I facilitate a learning journey through assignments that allow students to find their own style, strengths, and voice as exemplified their award-winning work.
In the field of communication, collaboration encourages group bonding as well as a real working environment. Students always learn a great deal from each other since they come from such diverse backgrounds. Presentation is strongly emphasized in every class, I hold extremely high standards to students’ final projects, as they should do so themselves as emerging professionals. Aside from my interests in the formal classroom setting, I am also a firm believer in study abroad and/or field work as an intensive and immersive learning approach. As I review student evaluations, I appreciate reading that my courses ask them to think differently about communication and I am happy my students know that I value their educated opinions.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2018—Present Assistant/Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
Courses: JOUR 448 Advanced Multimedia Production; JOUR 447 Video for Mass Communications; JOUR 203 Principles of Visual Communications; JOUR 348 Creative Thinking & Problem Solving (new development, online); JOUR 560 Portfolio Capstone; JOUR 790 Topics in Mass Communications: Corporate Communication (Engineering graduate course); JOUR 705 Integrated Communication Principles. JOUR 238 Foundations of User Experience (UX). Study Abroad and away: Iceland, NYC, Austin.
2015 – 2018 Assistant Professor, Winthrop University
Courses: Principles of Advertising (online and face-to-face), Copywriting and Layout, Senior Seminar, Multimedia Storytelling (content/video production), Senior Portfolio, Principles of IMC, McNair Scholar Mentor, Honors Chair.
2013 - 2015 Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington
Courses: Strategic Communication 1 and 2, Introduction to Advertising, Visual Communication, Copywriting and Layout, Advertising Campaigns (Senior Seminar)
2010 – 2013 Instructor of record, University of Florida
Courses: Copywriting and Visualization, Advertising Design and Graphics
2007 – 2011 Adjunct Professor College of Fine Arts, University of Florida. Courses: Digital photography.
2000 – 2003 Instructor of Record (Graduate Teacher)
College of Fine Arts, University of Florida. Courses: Computer Art, Image Order Idea, Alternative and Non Silver Processes in Photography, Digital photography, Advanced Photography
Courses: JOUR 448 Advanced Multimedia Production; JOUR 447 Video for Mass Communications; JOUR 203 Principles of Visual Communications; JOUR 348 Creative Thinking & Problem Solving (new development, online); JOUR 560 Portfolio Capstone; JOUR 790 Topics in Mass Communications: Corporate Communication (Engineering graduate course); JOUR 705 Integrated Communication Principles. JOUR 238 Foundations of User Experience (UX). Study Abroad and away: Iceland, NYC, Austin.
2015 – 2018 Assistant Professor, Winthrop University
Courses: Principles of Advertising (online and face-to-face), Copywriting and Layout, Senior Seminar, Multimedia Storytelling (content/video production), Senior Portfolio, Principles of IMC, McNair Scholar Mentor, Honors Chair.
2013 - 2015 Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington
Courses: Strategic Communication 1 and 2, Introduction to Advertising, Visual Communication, Copywriting and Layout, Advertising Campaigns (Senior Seminar)
2010 – 2013 Instructor of record, University of Florida
Courses: Copywriting and Visualization, Advertising Design and Graphics
2007 – 2011 Adjunct Professor College of Fine Arts, University of Florida. Courses: Digital photography.
2000 – 2003 Instructor of Record (Graduate Teacher)
College of Fine Arts, University of Florida. Courses: Computer Art, Image Order Idea, Alternative and Non Silver Processes in Photography, Digital photography, Advanced Photography