I teach writing and media as forms of public practice. My courses explore how community knowledge, histories, and priorities can guide collaborative, public-facing work that strengthens relationships, sustains knowledge, creates useful resources, and builds community capacity over time.

Teaching questions . . .

  • How can writing and media begin with community knowledge, priorities, and visions?

    Asset-based community development, participatory methods, and community-led approaches help us understand the knowledge, histories, relationships, resources, and aspirations already present within communities. These frameworks guide how questions are defined, decisions are made, and projects are shaped collaboratively with community partners.

  • What does it mean to create with communities?

    Community-engaged practice is grounded in collaboration, reciprocity, shared decision-making, and responsible storytelling. Public-facing work can take many forms, from websites, podcasts, and social media campaigns to digital stories, exhibits, and community resources, with choices about genre, platform, design, and audience shaped by community knowledge, goals, and priorities.

  • What should our work make possible?

    The purpose of community-engaged work extends beyond the creation of a successful project. Writing and media can strengthen relationships, sustain community knowledge, create resources that remain useful, and expand communities’ capacity to shape what comes next. I design projects around that longer horizon, asking what the work can contribute to the futures communities envision for themselves.

Courses at Saint Joseph’s University
Department of Communication, Film, and Journalism

  • COM 441 Media and Community Engagement

    Not-for-profit and community-based organizations rely on strategic digital communication to drive social change. In this course, students gain in-depth knowledge of communication theories and practices while collaborating with local organizations through the Beautiful Social Research Collaborative.

  • COM 442 Non-Profit Communications

    This course examines how not-for-profit organizations use strategic digital communication to drive social change. Students will explore communication theories and apply social media strategies while conducting research projects with local organizations through the Beautiful Social Research Collaborative.

  • COM 444 Mindful Communication

    In this experiential course, we combine the study of communication theory with mindfulness training. Mindfulness is about paying attention on purpose to what’s happening in the present moment –without judgment. We will explore a range of research topics related to mindful communication, including attention, engaged listening, and emotional intelligence.

  • COM 443 Justice By Design

    Justice by Design examines how oppression and inequity are designed and how they can be reimagined toward justice, reciprocity, and collective flourishing. Through speculative storytelling, media analysis, and iterative design work, students imagine and communicate more just futures.

  • COM 202 Visual Design

    Hone in on your audience, purpose, and mission by understanding the role of visual communication in storytelling. This course puts the spotlight on image and visual design and invites you to use Instagram (an image-first platform) as a creative sandbox for your own cause-based initiative.

  • ENG 646 Multimedia Writing

    Through media analysis and production, students learn to leverage platforms to strategize and advocate with community organizations. Students apply writing theories as they conduct research with communities and produce new knowledge with their community partners.