Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Media & Information Studies w/ Certification in College Teaching, Michigan State University

M.S., Communications, Grand Valley State University

B.A., Journalism, Grand Valley State University                  

A.A., Liberal Arts, Grand Rapids Community College                             

FACULTY APPOINTMENTS

Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, Sept. 2015-Present
Professor and Chair, Department of Journalism                              
Earned tenure and promotion, 2018; promoted to full professor 2022. Courses taught include: Senior Seminar, Newswriting, Reporting, Religion & News, Feature Writing, Cultural Mutations in the Electronic Era and Arts Reporting & Criticism.

The American University in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 2021-Dec. 2021
Associate Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Courses: Media Writing, Introduction to Mass Communication, Feature Writing 

Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, Aug. 2010-May 2012
Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Communications                
Courses: News Reporting, Technical Writing, Theories of Communication, Arts Reporting & Criticism, and Religion & Media.

OTHER TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, Jan. 2019-May 2019
Fulbright Scholar, Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II School of International Studies
Course: America in the World

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, Aug. 2013-May 2014
Instructor, School of Journalism
Course: News Writing & Reporting

Sorbonne University (CELSA), Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, Aug. 2012-June 2013
Lecturer, Graduate School of Journalism and Communication
Course: Perspectives on Media and Culture

Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, Jan. 2001-May 2009
Adjunct Professor, School of Communications                                  
Courses taught: News Reporting, Vision & Culture

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Journalist/Author/Consultant (June 1995-present)
Outlets include New York Times, Aquarium Drunkard, Foreign Policy, The New Arab, The Washington Post, Crain’s Detroit Business, Revue, Local Spins, MLive, Grand Rapids Press, Ann Arbor News, Muskegon Chronicle, Metro Times, Blurt, Harp, Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, Tiny Blue Sky.

Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI (Sept. 2000-July 2010)
Communications Specialist/Web Editor

CREEM Media, Inc., Los Angeles, CA (May 2002-Nov. 2006)
Editor, CREEM Magazine online

The Holland Sentinel, Holland, MI (Sept. 1999-Sept. 2000)
Staff Reporter

The Nashua Telegraph, Hudson, NH (June 1997-Sept. 1999)
Staff Reporter

 The Holland Sentinel, Holland, MI (May 1995- May 1997)
Staff Reporter