Joanne Detore-Nakamura

Title
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies
Email
Department
Humanities and Communication Department
College
College of Arts & Sciences

Office Hours

Varies according to semester. Email me any time: detor6ee@erau.edu

Areas of Expertise

Diversity and inclusion, diversity training, communication and gender, gifted girls and education, popular culture, public relations and crisis communication. women in STEM, ethnic studies and multicultural literature.
Joanne Detore-Nakamura

Joanne L. DeTore, Ph.D. is a tenured Associate Professor of Humanities & Communication and the Undergraduate Coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Studies program at the Daytona Campus. She is the former University Director of Diversity Initiatives working for President John Johnson from 2007-2010, overseeing diversity initiatives on all three campuses.  She has been with the University since 2002 and is a nationally-recognized and award-winning  diversity program creator who has brought in over $670,000 in grant funding as a PI or Co-PI during her tenure.  The Office of Diversity and the College of Engineering were awarded the ABET President's Award for Diversity in 2008, for the outstanding programs for women and minority students in engineering.

Prior to ERAU, Dr. DeTore was a full professor and department chair at Eastern Florida State College with a faculty of 30 full-time faculty members and two dozen adjuncts where she created a journalism program and co-wrote their diversity white paper with the VP of HR titled, The Diversity Mirror, which was adopted by their Board of Trustees and has been cited and used by many community colleges around the country as a standard of excellence.

In addition to her teaching and administrative career, Dr. DeTore was a Director of Public Relations and Fundraising for a non-profit agency in NY and an account executive for a tech PR firm in Rhode Island.  She holds a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (1998) where she was a Fellow, an M.A. from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY (1990) and a B.S. from Syracuse University (1987), where she was the recipient of a prestigious Gannett Journalism Scholarship and was a protegee of PR Hall of Fame Inductee, Prof. Raymond Simon, a founder of PR education in America.   

Dr. DeTore is a published poet, essayist, and scholar. Her work has been published in a variety of journals including Reed Magazine, Voices in Italian Americana; Italian Americana;, Review Americana: A Literary Journal; Apple Valley Review; Slow Trains; Journal of the Association for Research on Mothering; Art & Ciência: Revista de Arte: Cincia e Communicação; And/Or; and Florida English. She has also been published in books including Anti-Italianism: Essays on Prejudice; Fractured Feminisms: Rhetoric, Context, and Contestation; Joy, Interrupted; and Sweet Lemons: Writing with a Sicilian Accent.  

She has presented over 50 papers, poetry readings, and workshops on literature, popular culture, gender, ethnic studies, public relations, and diversity.  In addition, she has appeared on national television and in documentary film.   She is a manuscript reviewer for Gender & Society and for Pearson Publishing. 

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in English, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • M.A. - Master of Arts in English, The College of Saint Rose
  • Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, Harvard University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Journalism, Syracuse University
  • ERAU-W Teaching Certificate: iTeachER - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: The Rothwell Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence
  • Inclusive Teaching Practitioner Certificate - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: CTLE
  • IPR Master Class: A Strategic Playbook for Communicators - Institute for Public Relations
  • Six Sigma Professional - Six Sigma Global Institute
  • HU 312: Contemporary Texts
  • COMD 360: Public Relations
  • COM 219: Speech

  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: 4/4/1 load  

  • HU142: Studies in Literature, Survey
  • HU145: Interdisciplinary Humanities Theme: Literary and Film Monsters (Primary texts by Faulkner, Shelley, Stoker, Kafka, Beowulf poet in translation, Stevenson, Browning and several others)
  • HU 305: Modern Literature: Theme: Friendship, Communication, & Gender in Literature
  • HU 325: Exploring Film: Italian American Culture
  • HU 420 Cross-Cultural Communication
  • COM 122: Composition
  • COM 219:  Speech
  • COM 260: Intro to Mass Communication
  • COM 360: Public Relations
  • COM 460: Crisis Communication

Eastern Florida State College, 5/5/2 load

  • ENC 1101, Communications I (Composition course)
  • ENC 1102, Communications II (Literature-based composition course)
  • AML 2012, American Literature I, survey
  • AML 2021, American Literature II, survey
  • AML 2012 H, Honors American Literature I
  • AML 2021 H, Honors American Literature II
  • SLS 1101, Success Skills for College and Life
  • LIT 2300, Special Topics: Literary and Film Monsters
  • LIT 2300, Special Topics: Women’s Literature
  • ENC 1058, Technical Writing

University of Central Florida, Continuing Education Department Five-week, 15 hour courses taught for the University of Central Florida’s Continuing Education Department at the graduate level (500-level) for BCC faculty development included:

  • EDH 6935-XA: Special Topics: Beyond The Five Paragraph Essay, February 1998
  • ESE 6938-OP92: Special Topics: Gender & Communication, February- March 2000
  • EDF 6938-OP95: Special Topics: Cultural Competency in a Global Society, February-March 2001

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 2/2 load

  • GED 101, Composition I (SIUC)
  • GED 101, Computer-Aided Composition (SIUC)
  • GED 102, Composition II (SIUC)
  • GED 122, Introduction to Literature (SIUC)
  • ENG 290, Intermediate Composition (SIUC)

Book Chapters

  1. Published in Italian: Essay, “Abbastanza Brava” in L'Anti-Italianism Negli Stati Uni: Evoluzione Di Un Preguidizo, Eds. William J. Connell and Fred Gardaphe. Italy: Aracne, 2019.
  2. Published: Essay, "Diving Deep and Surfacing," in the anthology, Joy, Interrupted: An Anthology of Motherhood and Loss. Fat Daddy's Farm Publishing, May 2013.
  3. Published: Book Chapter: "'Good Enough': An Italian American Memoir," published in the book, Anti-Italianism: Essays on a Prejudice, Eds. William J. Connell and Fred Gardaphe.  New York: Palgrave MacMillan, December 2010.
  4. Published: “When Our Feminism Isn’t Feminist Enough” in the book, Fractured Feminisms, Eds. Laura Gray-Rosendale and Gil Harootunian.  Albany: SUNY, 2003.

Poems in Peer Reviewed Journals & Anthologies:

  1. Published, “Working Class Roots,” in Ovunque Siamo: New Italian-American Writing, (Winter 2023). https://ovunquesiamoweb.com/winter-2023/joanne-detore/
  2. Re-Print, “Leftovers,” in Beyond Words: International Literary Magazine. 28 (2022): 9-11.
  3. Published, Time & Tomato Salad, in Ovunque Siamo: New Italian-American Writing. 3.2 (2019). https://ovunquesiamoweb.com/archive/vol-3-issue-2/joanne-l-detore/
  4. Re-Print:, “Dreams” in L'Anti-Italianism Negli Stati Uni: Evoluzione Di Un Preguidizo, Eds. William J. Connell and Fred Gardaphe.   Italy: Aracne, 2019.
  5. Published, “The Color of Olives,” in Ovunque Siamo: New Italian-American Writing, 2.1 (2018). https://ovunquesiamoweb.com/archive/current-issue-vol-2-issue-1/joanne-l-detore/
  6. Published, “Tread,” The Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 14.2 (2018). http://jolle.coe.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/DeTore_JoLLE2018.pdf
  7. Published, “Love Bug Love,” Florida English, May 2018
  8. Published, “Tanka Series of 10 poems, “Mother and Daughter Estrangement,” in the Journal of the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement (JMI). Vol. 9.1 (Spring/Summer 2018).
  9. Published & Finalist: “Leftovers,” finalist for Reed Magazine’s Edwin Markham Prize in Poetry, May 2016.
  10. Published: "Sundered Seeds" and "Dead Woman's Float" in the anthology, Joy, Interrupted: An Anthology of Motherhood and Loss. Fat Daddy's Farm Publishing, May 2013.
  11. Published: "Real Time," in Florida English, Volume 9, Fall 2011.
  12. Published: "In Exchange for Laundry," in And/Or Literary Journal, Volume 2, Fall 2011. 
  13. Re-Print: "Dreams" in Anti-Italianism: Essays on a Prejudice, Eds. William J. Connell and Fred Gardaphe.  New York: Palgrave MacMillan, December 2010.
  14. Published: “Judith,” Issue 8 of Art Ciencia: Revista de Arte, Ciência e Comunicação , April-August 2008, on-line at www.artciencia.com. 
  15. Published: “Poem Writing,” Review Americana: A Literary Journal, fall 2006, published by the Institute for the Study of American Popular Culture.  http://www.americanpopularculture.com
  16. Published: “In Your Eye” in Apple Valley Review: a Journal of Contemporary Literature for fall 2006 issue. http://www.applevalleyreview.com/
  17. Published: “Nana” in Italian Americana: Cultural and Historical Review, a journal published by the University of Rhode Island, p. 41-42, winter 2005.
  18. Published: “Tomato Plants” and “Dreams” in the anthology, Sweet Lemons: Writing With a Sicilian Accent.  Eds. Venera Fazio and Delia De Santis. Ottawa: Legas Publishing, 2004. 
  19. Published: “Ice Princess” in Slow Trains: Online Literary Journal in the March 2003 issue.
  20. Published: “Escape Artist” in The Journal of the Association for Research on Mothering in the “Mothering and Literature” issue, vol. 4.2, Fall/Winter 2002.
  21. Published: “Tomato Plants” in VIA: Voices in Italian-Americana (Purdue University), spring 1995 issue

Book Reviews:

  1. Published: Rev. of Amato, Joseph  A. Body:  Vessel and Sea of Self. Minnetonka, Minnesota: Crossings Press, 2023 in Voices Italian Americana, 35.1 (Spring-Summer 2024): 99-102.
  2. Published: Rev. of George Guida’s,  Pugilistic: Poems.  Cincinnati, OH: WordTech Editions, 2015. and Guida’s The Sleeping Gulf. New York: Bordighera Press, 2015 in VIA: Voices in Italian Americana, Spring-Summer 2016.

Video Publications, Film, Television, and Other Media Appearances & Interviews

  1. “Writing a Project Proposal” for students and faculty, an hour-long course on demystifying research proposals for the Hunt Library at ERAU, February 15, 2023. https://commons.erau.edu/db-grad-library-webinar/6/
  2.  Interview with IASA Past President, Dr. George Guida for the Italian American Studies Association, published June 12, 2022 on YouTube.com: https://youtu.be/xSvWK65Ck44
  3. Appeared on C-SPAN as chair of the IASA session at the November 2017 conference. https://www.c-span.org/person/?111109
  4. Appeared on the national Fox & Friends Morning Show to discuss Twilight film and history of vampires segment, Nov. 23, 2008
  5. Interviewed by Rosemary Black for the New York Daily News, "On the Eve of Twilight, Why Women Find Vampires So Sexy, Nov. 21, 2008.
  6. Quoted in Vanessa Richardson's article, "Puritans and Fangbangers," in Huffington Post, November 28, 2008.
  7. Interviewed for Discover Daytona television show  on PBS about ERAU outreach program at Campbell Middle School, 10 minute segment special feature, May 2009
  8. Appear in Anti-Italianism: Discrimination and Defamation in the History of Italian Americans, a 30-minute documentary, directed and produced by Paul Budline for the Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute.   The film, featuring Joe Piscopo, other actors, writers, politicians, and scholars from across the country, presents incisive discussions of a history of discrimination that included lynching and racial bigotry, as well as the social and psychological effects of present-day stereotyping in the media. Release October 2005.

See Google Scholar for Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=pf4bAMwAAAAJ

Other Journalistic Publications:

  1. Published Monthly Column: “Special Delivery” in The Philosophical Mother Magazine beginning November 2003 – July 2005.  Wrote 11 columns/essays of between 1500-2500 words.

Published: "In Defense of Dr. Cornel West" Letters to the Editor: Is Harvard's President Unfairly Singling Out Black-Studies Professors for Scrutiny? The Chronicle of Higher Education; Washington  Vol. 48, Iss. 23,  (Feb 15, 2002): B4,B21.

Published: “Students Can Make Projects, Life Easier” (invited guest column) in Florida Today. 5 January 2002: 11A.

Published: “We Mustn’t Let Terrorism Divide Us.” (invited guest column now indexed in ProQuest) in Florida Today. 20 September 2001: 14A.

Published: “Professor Urges Patience.” (invited guest column about Florida Election. My students’ short essays were also published as a full-page spread.) in Florida Today. 19 November 2000: 13A.

Published Bibliography:

  • International Margaret Atwood Society’s Annotated Bibliography.  Co-bibliographer with Loretta Koch on the 1992, 1993, and 1994 edition.  Published in print and online: http://www.cariboo.bc.ca/atwood/atwoodbiblio.htm   

White Papers:

  • “Diversity Mirror: A Diversity Initiative for Brevard Community College” with Vice President for Human Resources, Dr. Joni Oglesby, and the Director of Institutional Research.  Presented to the Board of Trustees and accepted, December 2000.              

In-House Publications:

  1. “Persuasive Speeches” in ERAU’s  Humanities & Communication’s In-house speech textbook, Eds. Rachel Friedman & Rachel Silverman, Fall 2015. 
  2.  “Change is Good” in ERAU’s Center for Teaching and Learning Newsletter, Vol. 1, Fall 2004.
  3.  “Revamping Our Classes for the 21st Century” in Chalklines. 10.1. Eastern Florida State College Staff and Program Development.  Sept./Oct. 2000 issue.  http://www.brevard.cc.fl.us/spd/chalklines

Encyclopedia Entries:

  1. Published: Tess of the D’Urbervilles (1500 words) and The Scarlet Letter 1500 words) in The Encyclopedia of Novels into Film.  Ed.  John Tibbets.  Gale Research Press, 1998
  2. Reprint: The Scarlet Letter (1500 Words) in Novels into Film: The Encyclopedia of Movies Adapted From Books (Abridged). Ed. John Tibbets.  Checkmark Books, 1999

Grants:

  1. CTLE: Service Learning Mentoring Grant for Mentoring another faculty member, $500, 2016
  2. CTLE: Digital Lab Grant, $500, 2015-16
  3. Submitted/Not Funded: NSF ADVANCE IT Grant, Co-PI, Submitted Proposal, January 20, 2016 for $2.5 million to establish SOAR (Supporting, Opportunity, Advancement & Retention) Center to recruit & to retain female STEM faculty. Principal writer.
  4. Accepted Letter of Intent: NSF ADVANCE IT Grant, Co-PI, letter of intent, November 4, 2015
  5. Solar Decathlon Competition U.S. Dept. of Energy, Co-PI with Dr. Sandra Boetcher, November 2015, Team Daytona 2017 to build a solar, self-sustaining home, accepted team, $100,000 U.S. Dept. of Energy
  6. ERAU Internal Grant, Persuading Rosie The Riveter: The PR campaign to collude women to join the workforce and then retreat, $11,444, July 2011
  7. NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM), 2010 to fund scholarships for women & minorities.  Co-PI. Principal writer. $600,000.
  8. Title I Grant from Volusia County Schools to establish Tutoring Program at Campbell Middle School, $14,000, Spring, 2010
  9. Title I Grant from Volusia County Schools to establish Tutoring Program at Campbell Middle School, $14,000, Fall 2009
  10. Boeing Grant to fund FIRST (Female Initiative: Reaching Success Together) Mentoring Program. Principal writer.  PI.  $14,000 and sole writer.
  11. Florida Space Consortium Education Grant to fund ERAU Girls Exploring Math and Science Summer Camp & Campbell Middle School’s Aerospace Camp 2008. PI. Principal writer.  $15,000.
  12. Clare Boothe Luce Foundation Invitation to Apply, October 2007. Submitted invitation to apply for two, five-year faculty grants totaling more than $600,000 for two female professors in engineering. Status: University Not Competitive 2.8 grade out of 4.0 for university status on female professor in STEM up from 2.0 grade the year before. Principal writer.
  13. Texas Space Grant Consortium: NASA Means Business Public Relations Campaign Competition.  Won over $4500 in prize money for our ERAU team.
  14. Florida Space Consortium Educational Grant to fund an ERAU Girls Exploring Math & Science Summer Camp, 2007, a part of the NASA Means Business Outreach Plan.  Decision: Outstanding rating: Should be funded, but was not.
  15. National Science Foundation – a grant to fund a multicultural communication training course for pilots.  Applied but not funded. 8/2004
  16. Title III Grant, Diversity Core Committee to restructure general education curriculum to include a diversity requirement by infusing courses with a diversity component, 2000-2001
  17. Title III Grant to produce an Annotated Bibliography of Composition and Literature Websites, 1999
  18. S & PD Grant to revamp American Literature I & II by integrating technology, 1999
  19. Multimedia Grant to Produce Two PowerPoint Presentations:  one for Women’s Literature and for Communications II on the Renaissance, 1996.

Scholarly Conference Presentations & Poetry Readings:     

  1. Presenter, Poetry Reading, National Popular Culture Conference, in Session 1: COVID Responses and Zoom Boxes, Six New Poems Before, During and After COVID, June 2, 2021.  Virtual.
  2. Presenter, Scholarly Paper, “Grooming the Guido: Hyper- and Toxic Masculinity in Scorsese’s The Color of Money.” NeMLA, March 11, 2021. Virtual.
  3. Tupelo Press Poetry Manuscript Conference: 12 invited participants workshop and present their poetry manuscript for four days of intensive manuscript preparation, November 13-16, 2020. Virtual.
  4. Session Chair & Presenter: “Killing ‘one of his miracles’: John Coffey as Pagan Sineater.” National Popular Culture Conference, Washington, DC. April 17-20, 2019.
  5. Session Chair & Presenter: Poetry Reading from chapbook in progress, The Color of Olives. National Popular Culture Conference, Washington, DC, April 17-20, 2019
  6. Invited Roundtable: Discussing essay and poem: DeTore, Joanne L. "Good enough" (research essay/book chapter), and “Dreams.”  L'anti-italianismo negli Stati Uniti: evoluzione di un pregiudizio (Anti-Italianism in the United States:Evolutuon of a Prejudice). The Italian American Studies Association’s 2nd Annual IASA International Symposium in Rome, Italy, June 20-22, 2019.
  7. Presenter: “From Adoration to Absence: The Evolution of the Italian American Mother in Film [Give Us This Day, Riding with Boys in Cars, and A Star is Born] The Italian American Studies Association’s 2nd Annual IASA International Symposium in Rome, Italy, June 20-22, 2019
  8. Chair & Presenter: “Curses, Spells and Catholic Recovery” Italian American Studies Association Conference, Nov. 3-5, 2017. Washington, DC.
  9. Presenter: Mary “Carlotta” Myers Female Aeronaut, First American Woman to Solo a Lighter Than Air Craft, for a multimedia presentation/article at the Women in Aviation Conference in Orlando, FL in March 2017. Submitted conference proposal Aug. 2016.
  10. Presenter: “Dropping a ‘Nuclear megaton bomb:’ Exploding the stereotypes of Gender, Race and Ethnicity in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever.” at the Italian American Studies Conference in Long Beach, CA, Nov. 3-5. 2016.
  11. Presenter: Reading “Love in the Age of Google” new poetry at the Popular Culture Association Conference in Seattle, WA, March 21-25, 2016.
  12. Presenter: Reading new poetry for the Italian American Studies Association Conference, Joint Conference with NIAF (National Italian American Foundation) October 15-17, 2015, Washington, DC
  13. Presenter: Popular Culture Conference, Academic Paper, “Secrets and Shadows: Reading the Psychosexual Signs of The Penny Dreadful,” April 2, 2015, New Orleans.
  14. (Oct. 3-6, 2013)  Reading new poetry. Italian-American Identity Politics, for the 46th Italian American Studies Association Conference, New Orleans, LA
  15. Invited Poetry Reading: Reading new poetry from my poetry collection, An American Brocade Unraveled, for the 45th Italian American Studies Association Conference, E Pluribus: What Is Italian America?  Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Nov. 29- Dec. 1, 2012.
  16. Invited Presenter for Poetry Reading:  from "An American Brocade Unraveled," poetry collection in-progress. American Italian Historical Association Conference, October 20-22, 2011, Tampa, FL
  17. Panel Chair & Presenter:  "Persuading Rosie the Riveter: The Public Relations Campaign to Persuade Women from the Kitchen to the Workforce and Back Again During and After World War II" PCAS/ACAS Conference, October 6-8, 2011.  New Orleans, LA.
  18. Presenter:  "Vampires and the Human Women Who Love Them," The Popular Culture Conference of the South. Oct. 7-10, 2010. Savannah, GA.
  19. Presenter: Paper for Short Course, "Strategy and Structure for Successful Service and Scholarship: Incorporating Service Learning in Public Relations" National Communication Association Conference in San Diego, California, Nov. 23, 2008.
  20. Presenter: Florida Communication Conference, October 12, 2007. Daytona Beach, FL: NASA Means Business:  The Solution for Inclusion Grand-Prize Winning Proposal presented with my student team.
  21. Presenter: PCA/ACAS Conference, September 28, 2007, Jacksonville, FL: Cultural Hierarchy and Cultural Author: “FACEBOOK and Crisis Communication: Responding to University Crisis with Student-Driven Channels.”
  22. Presenter: National American Italian Historical Association Conference, October 27-29, 2006, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.  Poetry reading drawn from work-in-progress, An American Brocade Unraveled.
  23.  Presenter: PCAS/ACAS Conference, October 4-8, 2006  Savannah, GA: Women’s Literature Session: "What's There to Cluck About in Chick Lit: One Hen Explores the Best and the Worst of Women's Friendship in Chick Lit"
  24. Panel Chair & Presenter: The 27th Annual Meeting of the Southwest/Texas/ Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association, February 8-11, 2006, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, New Mexico:  Women’s Studies Area.  “The Friendship Plot in Contemporary Women’s Literature and Film”
  25. Invited Panelist: National Conference: Real Stories: Italian-American Discrimination and Defamation Conference, Seton Hall University, December 4, 2004. 
  26. Chair & Presenter: American-Italian Historical Association Conference, Boca Raton, FL  November 2003.  Chair & Presenter of Poetry Reading  “Through the Looking Glass: La donne di Malia riflettono la vita attraverso la poesia (The Women of Malia Reflect Life Through Poetry)”
  27. Presenter: Regional, Popular Culture Association in the South, Jacksonville, FL October 2003.  “Cry Babies and the Lone Hero: The Place of Children in Buffy and Angel.”
  28. Chair & Presenter: International Popular Culture Association, New Orleans.   April 2003.  “Mothering (the) Monsters:  Maternity and Paternity in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.”
  29. Presenter: International Association for Research on Mothering’s 6th Annual Conference on “Mothering, Law, Politics, and Public Policy, at York University in Toronto, Canada.  October 18-20, 2002. “She Works Hard for the Money:  A Snapshot of Working Class, Working Mothers Through the 20th Century” with Prof. Kim Landon, Utica College of Syracuse University.
  30. Presenter: Florida Conference on Communications for Community Colleges.  Orlando, FL.  September 2001.  “When Our Feminism Isn’t Feminist Enough:  Teaching Feminist Theory and Women’s Literature at the Community College Level.”
  31. Presenter: League for Innovation’s Innovations National Conference 2001.  Atlanta, GA. “Diversity Training:  From the Boardroom to the Classroom”
  32. Program Chair and Session Moderator:  International Modern Language Association, Chicago, IL.  December 1996.  Margaret Atwood Society.
  33. Presenter: Mid-west MLA, St. Louis, MO.  November 1995.  “Friendship as Life-Preserver in Atwood’s The Robber’s Bride.”
  34. Presenter: International 20th Century Literature Conference.  University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. “Gender and Anthropology in Barbara Pym’s Less Than Angels.”
  35. Presenter: Virginia Woolf 3rd Annual International Conference. June 1993, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO.  “Please Virginia, Leave the Light On:  Woolf’s Influence on Barbara Pym’s Treatment of Men and Women.”
  36. Presenter: International 20th Century Literature Conference.  February 1993 University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.  “Faulkner’s Moral Vision:  Food as Connective Metaphor in Light in August.”
  37. Presenter: American Conference for Irish Studies. October 1992.  Southern Illinois University.  Carbondale, IL.  “Molly Speaks:  Re-Framing ‘Penelope’ as an Oral Monologue.”
  38. Presenter: Midwest Feminist Graduate Student Conference. February 1992.  Miami University, Oxford, OH.  “Rerooting for Survival:  The Connective Elements in the Work of Louise Erdrich.

Other Invited Professional Lectures & Workshops:

  1. “Inclusive Leadership & Implicit Bias” for staff and faculty supervisors, with Dr. Christina Frederick, a 2 hour workshop, August 22, 2022.
  2. “Crisis Communication for Airline Crashes:” a short course at ERAU for aviation professionals, November 2022.
  3. “Crisis Communication for Airline Crashes”:  A short course at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for aviation professionals, Nov. 2021.
  4. “Inclusive Leadership & Implicit Bias” a Department Chair Forum” with Dr. Christina Frederick, 3.5 hour workshop for ERAU, August 19, 2021
  5. “Applying Crisis Communication Principles in the Classroom”: A video presentation for the CTLE Pivotal Pedagogy Course, Summer 2020
  6. “Revised with Boeing Max 8 Case: Crisis Communication and Emergency Management”: A short course at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for Emergency Management Professionals, Nov. 12, 2019.
  7. “Crisis Communication and Emergency Management”: A short course at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for Emergency Management Professionals, Nov. 11, 2018.
  8. “Crisis Communication and Emergency Management”: A short course at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for Emergency Management Professionals, Nov. 15, 2017.
  9. “The Nitty-Gritty of Diversity: Implicit Bias”:  A one-hour workshop for Employee Development Day at Indian River State College, Feb. 24, 2017.
  10. “Crisis Communication and Emergency Management”: A short course at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for Emergency Management Professionals, Nov. 7-9, 2016
  11. “Marketing to Millennials” session for the Volusia FPRA (Florida Public Relations Association)’s Mini-Conference: Sharpen Your Communication Skills, February 18, 2016.  Also brought two students to show their digital artifact presentations.
  12. Poster Session: CTLE Digital Literary: Presented a poster session on my students’ use of the Digital Studio for their portfolio and digital artifacts projects. Spring 2016.
  13. Round Table Discussion: CTLE Service Learning, Fall 2015.
  14. "Gender & Communication" workshop for Leadership Institute, February 2011 , Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL (1 hour)
  15. "Vampires and the Women Who Love Them,"  a lecture for Tuesday's Treasures Lecture Series, October 27, 2009, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL (1 hour & 15 minutes).
  16. "Mining for GEMS: Gifted Girls and STEM" workshop, June 25, 2009 for the Southeast Conference for Minorities in Engineering (SECME)  Summer Institute Leadership Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL (2 hours)
  17. "Gender & Communication" workshop for Leadership Institute, April 4, 2009, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL (1 hour)
  18. "Success Strategies for Girls," workshop for Leadership Conference, Oct. 11, 2008, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL (1 hour)
  19.  “Gifted Girls: Encouraging an Interest in Math & Science” February 9, 2008. Volusia    County Gifted Teacher Training Seminar, Cypress Creek Elementary School.
  20. “Gender & Communication,” for LEP (Leadership Enhancement Program), March 2009.
  21. “Gender & the Workplace,” for LEP (Leadership Enhancement Program) Daytona session, March, 2008.
  22. “Mining for GEMS: Girls Exploring Math and Science: University Outreach,” March 8, 2008. Association of American University Women, Flagler Beach Chapter.
  23. “Women’s History Month and The State of Women in the Workplace.” March 12, 2007.  Business & Professional Women’s Foundation, Ormond Beach Chapter. Tomoka Oaks Country Club, Ormond Beach. ERAU, Diversity Initiative, April 2003. 
  24. ERAU Diversity Training: Facilitated a session, created power point for all facilitator’s use and several training exercises for ERAU, 2003.
  25. ERAU Student Leadership Conference. “It’s a Small World: Diversity Awareness 60-minute Workshop, February 2003. 
  26. Brevard Community College In-Service Program.  “Middle East Issues and the Classroom.” Two-hour workshop, October 2001.
  27. Brevard Community College In-Service Program.  “Work Like Your Dog:  A Motivational Workshop Based on the Book of the Same Name.” Two-hour Workshop.
  28. Rollins College Brevard Campus.  “Success Skills for Young Women: A Four-Day Workshop for At-Risk Minority Women ages 13-18.”  July 2001. Honorarium Paid.
  29. Brevard Community College In-Service Program. “Diversity Play Shop:  A Workshop on Cultural Competence.” October 2000.
  30. Brevard Job Link In-Service Day Program.  “He Said/She Said:  A Workshop on Gender.”  November 2000. Honorarium Paid.
  31. Brevard Community College In-Service Program.  “Gender and the Work Place Workshop:  Survival Strategies for Faculty and Staff.”  August 1999.
  32. “Women’s Friendship and Literature Lecture.”  April 1999.  Melbourne, FL. Fellowship at Pineda.
  33. “From Grad to Prof:  The English Ph.D. and the Job Market.”  November 1998. Carbondale, IL.  Southern Illinois University.
  34. “Women and the Gnostic Gospels” April 1997.  Melbourne, FL.  Fellowship at Pineda.

Dissertations

  • Jeremy Frasier, Dissertation Committee, 2021. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. One of three-person committee in COB.  Worked with student for two years.
  • Aaron Clevenger’s Dissertation Committee, 2014. Benedictine University. Committee Member.  Dr. Clevenger won Outstanding Dissertation, 2014.

Undergraduate Research 

  • “The Effect of Social Media on Interpersonal Communication”: Alex Triplett, Presentation at NCUR, 2024
  • “The Effects of Social Media on the Teenage Demographic”: Jillian Preite, Presentation at NCUR, 2024
  • Unpacking Feminism: Student: Mac Clark, Presentation at UCOR, 2022
  • Discover Day Poster Session: An Introductory Analysis of Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace: Makeup as Artifact” Students: Nathalie Hahn, Cory White, Michael Meholic, and Kimberly Ventura, April 13, 2016.






Associate Professor of Humanities & Communication, ERAU, 2007-present

Undergraduate Program Coordinator for Interdisciplinary Studies, ERAU, 2017-present

Interim Associate Chair, ERAU, 2021-2022

University Director of Diversity, ERAU, 2007-2010

Assistant Professor of Humanities & Communication, ERAU, 2002-2007

Professor of Communication, Eastern Florida State College, 1995-2002

Chair & Professor of Communication, Eastern Florida State College, 1996-1998

University Fellow, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1995

Other Experience:

* Textbook reviewer for Pearson Publishing, 2006-present.
* College Board AP Exam Reader for English Literature Exam, 2006-present.

*Public Relations, Journalism, and Diversity Training Freelance Work, ongoing from 1987 for a number of organizations.

*Account Executive, Stauch Vetromile Public Relations, Technical PR firm, RI 1987
*Director of Public Relations & Fundraising, Catholic Charities of the Eastern Region, Utica, NY, 1986-1987


Memberships

  • Modern Language Association
  • Popular Culture Association
  • Italian American Studies Association
  • Malia New York: Italian American Women Writers Collective
  • The Association for Research on Mothering
  • American Association of University Women
  • Women in Aviation


Credentials

  • CITI Program, Human Subjects: Researcher certificate ID: 40824738
    • Expires 08 Nov 2025
  • The IPR Master Class: A Strategic Playbook for Communicators is a 10-month interactive, certificate series for public relations and communication professionals, March 9, 2021-December 14, 2021

  • Diversity and Inclusion Yellow Belt Certification. Issuing authority Six Sigma Global Institute. Jul 2020. Credential IdentifierCredential ID 20127502

  • Developing a Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program. LinkedIn Course, July 2020.

  • PHS1010: COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING. Issuing authority: Purdue University Global.  Jul 2020. No Expiration Date

  • Emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: methods for detection, prevention, response and control. Issuing authority: World Health Organization. Jul 2020. No Expiration Date

  • Communication Graduate courses through Fort Hays State University.
  • Certified Diversity Trainer, June 2000 & June 2001, from National *Multicultural Institute, Washington, DC
  • The Institutional Portfolio: Performance-Based Model for Assessment, Innovations Learning Center Course, March 2001
  • Central Florida Consortium Leadership Enhancement Program, August 1999 -April 2000. Selected by the President of Brevard Community College for leadership potential. Year long training with seminars.
  • 2000 Florida Leadership Summit, January 2000
  • The Community College Course, Innovations League, January 2000
  • Master Student Workshop by David Ellis, June 1999
  • Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Effective Management Workshop, 1998


Professional Associations:

  • Reviewer Gender & Society, a peer-reviewed journal from the U of Mass, Dec. 2015-Feb. 2016
  • Women in Aviation, 2016-present
  • Popular Culture Association, 2003-present
  • Executive Council Elected Board Member of Italian-American Studies Association, Two terms, 2012-2014 and 2014-2016
    • Communication Committee, Chair: Social Media: 2012-2016: Created and maintain all social media including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn sites.
    • Membership Committee: 2015-2016
    • Conference Committee: 2016 Conference: plan, execute, review & select panels
    • Conference Committee: 2014 Conference: plan, executive, review & select panels from over 150 paper proposals
  • Editorial board of Florida English journal, 2013-15 
  • Editorial Board Member and Manuscript Reviewer, Scientific Journals International
  • Malia New York: Italian American Women Writers Collective, 2002-present
  • Italian American Writers Association, 2014-present
  • Florida Association of Writers, 2015- present
  • Italian American Studies Association, 2001- present
  • The Association for Research on Mothering, 2001-2008
  • American Association of University Women, 2007- present



Recent Awards and Honors:

  • Charles E. Scheidt Faculty Fellow in Atrocity Prevention at Binghamton University's Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP), 2023-2024

  • Outstanding Small Teaching Practice Award, issued by the CTLE, May 2023

  • Faculty Veterans Champion Award, issued by the Veterans Services Department, May 2022.

  • Finalist, Outstanding Teacher Award, issued by the Faculty Senate Outstanding Teacher Committee, 2022. Seven nominees, three finalists.

  • Finalist, Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry, Reed Magazine, for poem, “Leftovers,” 2016. One of three finalists.Finalist, Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry, Reed Magazine, for poem, “Leftovers,” 2016

  • Vision Award for Creating Outstanding Programs for Women, 2010
  • Leadership Institute Award, UCF, for Visionary Leadership, 2009
  • Volunteer of the Year, Creekside Middle School for leading All-Girl Robotics Team, 2009
  • ABET's President's Award for Diversity : Office of Diversity & College of Engineering, 2008
  • Nominated for Faculty of the Year by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Senior graduating class, 2005.
  • Nominated for Exceptional Service Award by the Office of the Chancellor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, fall 2005.
  • Who's Who of American Women, 2002, 2003, 2005
  • Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1998, 2002, 2005
  • Distinguished Educator Finalist for Teaching Excellence & Innovation, 2002
  • VIP Merit Pay Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, 2001
  • Service Learning Teaching Awards, 1998-2001
  • Educational Leadership Enhancement Grant Program Participant, 1999-2000 Year-long program. 
  • College of Liberal Arts Dissertation Fellowship, SIUC, 1994-1995
  • Passed Preliminary Examinations with Distinction, SIUC, December 1993
  • Alan M. Cohn Research Award for Most Outstanding Research Paper, SIUC, 1992
    Most outstanding research paper written by an English graduate student for "Measure of a Man: Male Friendship in Henry James's Ambassadors."
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (Must have a 4.0 to qualify as a graduate student), Inducted 1993
  • Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, Inducted 1989
  • Gannett Journalism Scholarship, Utica College of Syracuse University, 1986
  • National Dean's List, 1985
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, inducted 1984