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Faculty

Full-Time Faculty


Cathy Gabor

Department Chair
(415) 422-6684

Cathy Gabor received a BA in English from Bethany College in West Virginia, an MA in English from Indiana University, and a PhD in Rhetoric and...

Education:

PhD in Rhetoric and Composition, Texas Christian University | MA in English, Indiana University

Courses:

Graduate Program Writing, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication, Academic Writing at USF, S.I.T. Seminar for Transfer Students, Business & Technical Writing, Expedition USF

Brian Komei Dempster

Professor
(415) 422-6042

His work—as a poet, workshop instructor, and editor—has been recognized by grants from the Arts Foundation of Michigan and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the California State Library's California Civil Liberties Public Education Program, the Center for Cultural Innovation, and the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Courses:

Research Methods, Capstone Project, Directed Study, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication, FYS: First-Year Seminar

Leslie Dennen

Associate Professor
(415) 422-6011

Leslie Dennen is the director of the Writing Center and Associate Professor in the Department of Rhetoric and Language. She received her Masters...

Education:

Doctorate in Education, USF | MA, Teaching English as a Second Language and Certificate in Composition, San Francisco State University

Courses:

Writing Center for Credit, Written Communication I, Written Communication II, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication, Writing Center Tutoring, Directed Study, Writing Center Tutoring

Doreen Ewert

Professor, AEM Director
(415) 422-2607

Doreen Ewert has an MA in English Literature from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in TESOL and Applied Linguistics from Indiana University....

Education:

PhD, TESOL and Applied Linguistics, Indiana University | MA, English Literature, University of Notre Dame

Courses:

US Cult:Understand/Neg New Lan, Fluency Development, Academic Oral Comm II, Introduction to Composition, How Language Works, Directed Study, Expedition USF

Nicole Gonzales Howell

Assistant Professor
(415) 422-4984

Much of Nicole's research has focused on the importance of considering social location (race, gender, class, ability, and sexuality) of both students and teachers and how it relates to many aspects of writing instruction, teacher affect, program administration, and in particular writing assessment.

Education:

PhD in Composition and Cultural Rhetoric, Syracuse University | MA English with a certificate in Composition, California State University, Fresno | BA in Language and Literature, University of Southern California

Courses:

Public Speaking, Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II, FYS: First-Year Seminar, S.I.T. Seminar for Transfer Students

Philip Hanson

Associate Professor
(415) 422-2126

Professor Philip Hanson's research and written works have made him one of the foremost experts in the fields of expository writing and twentieth...

Education:

PhD, English, University of California, Berkeley, 1993

Courses:

Written Communication II, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication, Academic Writing at USF

David Holler

Professor
(415) 422-5995

David Holler serves as the Director of the Martín–Baró Scholars Program, a living-learning community for first-year students which covers five core...

Courses:

Martin Baro Scholars Prog, Davies Seminar, MB Scholars: Wrtg/Spkg in Cmty, MBS: Wrtg/Spkg in Cmty, "Writing for a Real World" Editing and Production Workshop, Directed Study

Devon Holmes

Professor
(415) 422-5638

Devon Holmes, Professor of Rhetoric and Language, holds a BA in English from the University of Southern California, an MA in Rhetoric from Carnegie...

Education:

PhD in Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English, University of Arizona | MA in Rhetoric, Carnegie Mellon University | BA in English, University of Southern California

Courses:

Public Speaking, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication

Jonathan Hunt

Associate Professor, Composition Director
(415) 422-6685

Jonathan Hunt teaches public speaking and composition courses in the Department of Rhetoric and Language at USF. He also teaches courses focused on...

Education:

PhD in World Literature and Cultural Studies, UC Santa Cruz | BA in English, Dartmouth College

Courses:

FYS: First-Year Seminar, Public Speaking, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II

Tika Lamsal

Associate Professor
(415) 422-2576

Tika Lamsal received his Master's in English literature from Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 1997 and taught at the Central Department of English,...

Education:

MA in English Literature, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, 1997 | PhD in Rhetoric and Composition, University of Louisville, Kentucky

Courses:

Grad Wrtg/Speaking Pract, Grad Wrtg/Speaking Pract, Cross-Cultural Business Comm., Introduction to Composition, Intro to Composition Intensive, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II

Michelle LaVigne

Associate Professor, Public Speaking Director
(415) 422-4366

Michelle LaVigne received her BA in English from the University of Texas, Austin and a PhD in Communication Studies - Rhetoric from the University of...

Courses:

Directed Study, Foundations of Communication, Ethics in Prof. Communication, Rhetoric Seminar, Capstone/Culminating, Strategic Communication, Public Speaking, Writing in the Arts, Argumentation and Advocacy

Genevieve Leung

Associate Professor
(415) 422-6674

Genevieve Leung is the director of Asian Pacific American Studies and affiliated faculty in the Asian Pacific Studies MA program. She has a BA in...

Education:

PhD, Educational Linguistics, University of Pennsylvania | MA, Linguistics and Education, University of California, Davis | BA, Linguistics, University of California, Berkeley

Courses:

Research Methods, Directed Study, Directed Study, Qualitative Research Methods, Language & Social Interaction, Academic Discussion Workshop, Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, FYS: First-Year Seminar, Asians and Pacific Islanders in U.S. Society

Theodore Matula

Associate Professor
(415) 422-5809

Ted Matula earned his PhD in Communication from The Ohio State University, specializing in rhetorical theory and its usefulness in studying popular...

Education:

PhD, Communication, Ohio State University

Expertise:

Rhetorical theory and its usefulness in studying popular culture

Courses:

Rhetoric & the Public Sphere, Ethics in Prof. Communication, Capstone/Culminating, Public Speaking, Rhet/Popular Culture

Patrick McDonnell

Assistant Professor
(415) 422-3723

Professor McDonnell teaches courses in written and oral communication.

Education:

EdD, Education, University of San Francisco | Master in Management Communication, University of Portland, OR | BA, Communication, Fordham University, NY

Courses:

Public Speaking, Written Communication I, Presentational Speaking, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication

Leigh Meredith

Assistant Professor

Leigh Meredith earned her PhD in Communication Studies, specializing in Rhetoric and Public Culture, from Northwestern University. Her research and...

Education:

PhD, Communication Studies, Rhetoric and Public Culture, Northwestern University | BA, English Literature, Princeton University

Courses:

Public Speaking, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication, S.I.T. Seminar for Transfer Students

Mark Meritt

Professor
(415) 422-5029

Mark Meritt, Professor of Rhetoric and Language, holds a BA in English from Cornell University, an MA in English from the UC Santa Barbara, and a PhD...

Education:

PhD, English, University of Oregon | MA, English, UC Santa Barbara | BA, English, Cornell University

Courses:

Written Communication I, Written Communication II, Adv Writing Practicum

Michael Rozendal

Associate Professor
(415) 422-5431

Michael Rozendal's interest in communities of writers has fuelled his recent first year seminars "Writing San Francisco: Bohemia, Counterculture,...

Courses:

Directed Study, Erasmus Community, Erasmus Community, Public Speaking, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication, FYS: First-Year Seminar

David Ryan

Assistant Professor
(415) 422-5524

David Ryan serves as the Academic Director and Faculty Chair for the Professional Communication and Certificate in Professional Communication...

Courses:

Directed Study, Rhetoric Seminar, Capstone/Culminating, Strategic Communication, Leadership and Communication, Technical Communication, Digital Communication, Usability Testing/UX Research, Emergent Media and Technology, Directed Study, Public Speaking, Business & Technical Writing, Executive Strategic Communications

Julie Sullivan

Assistant Professor
(415) 422-2592

Courses:

Special Topics, Foreword: Writing, Graduate Writing Seminar, Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication, FYS: First-Year Seminar, S.I.T. Seminar for Transfer Students

Stephanie Vandrick

Professor
(415) 422-2407

Stephanie Vandrick teaches in the AEM Program in the Department of Rhetoric and Language. Professor Vandrick received a double MA in English...

Courses:

Academic Reading/Writing III, Intro to Composition Intensive

Part-Time Faculty


Regina Arnold

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

Regina Arnold holds a PhD in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University and a BA in Communications from UC Berkeley. She is a former...

Courses:

Media Research, Written Communication II, FYS: First-Year Seminar, Academic Writing at USF, S.I.T. Seminar for Transfer Students, Rhet/Popular Culture

Joanne Babin

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

I am currently living the dream as a full time part time instructor at three different colleges. Since earning my MA from University of the Pacific...

Courses:

Public Speaking

Sue Bae

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6862

Sue Bae has a BA in Sociology from Ewha Women's University in Seoul, Korea and an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and an EdD in...

Courses:

Academic Reading/Writing III, Oral Communication Skills III

Robert Bathrick

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-4666

Bob Bathrick has been teaching AEM to adults since 2001. He worked at AEM Language Centers for 6 years, preparing students for university study....

Courses:

Intro to Composition Intensive, Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, Directed Study

Angela Beasley

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

I love being an educator and teaching Public Speaking and Argumentation and Debate courses at USF. I have taught Small Group, Interpersonal,...

Courses:

Public Speaking

James Warren Boyd

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

James Warren Boyd received his BA, History from UCLA and his advanced degrees (MA English: Literature, M. A. Communication Studies: Performance...

Courses:

Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication

Chisako Cole

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6862

Chisako Cole received an MA in TESOL from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BM in Voice Performance from Boston University. She has taught...

Courses:

Intro to Composition Intensive, Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II

Deborah Cox Callister

Adjunct Professor

Deborah Cox Callister’s research focuses at the nexus of contemporary rhetorical theory and criticism, participatory democracy and environmental...

Education:

PhD/MS, Communication, University of Utah | BA, Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis

Courses:

Environmental Communication, Public Speaking, Written & Oral Communication, Written and Oral Communication

Evan Elliot

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-5460

Education:

MA, Creative Nonfiction Writing, University of Iowa | BA, English, Santa Clara University

Expertise:

Marketing, advertising, creative nonfiction.

Courses:

Writing for Advertising, Business & Technical Writing

Sarah Goss

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-5499

Sarah Goss has a B.A. in English from Scripps College and an MA and PhD from the University of Oregon in English. Her areas of focus were the...

Courses:

Written Communication I, Written Communication II

Michael Hammond

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

Michael Hammond received an MA in English from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago and has taught and tutored composition and literature in...

Courses:

Written Communication I, Written Communication II

Patricia Kalman

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6013

Patricia Kalman holds a BA from the Michigan State University and an MA from the University of Michigan. She also completed graduate courses at the...

Courses:

Written Communication II, Business & Technical Writing

Ronald Key

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

Ron Key has been an adjunct professor at USF since 2006. He earned a BA in English and an MA in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin as...

Courses:

Written Communication II, Academic Writing at USF

Kara Knafelc

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6015

Kara Knafelc earned a BA in English from Scripps College and an MA in English Literature and Language from the University of Washington. Since coming...

Courses:

Martin Baro Scholars Prog, Written Communication I, Written Communication II, MB Scholars: Wrtg/Spkg in Cmty, Rhetoric, Diversity & Class, S.I.T. Seminar for Transfer Students

Todd Lewis

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6862

Todd Lewis has a BA in Speech Communications and an MA in TESOL from San Francisco State University. He has taught AEM in private institutes, City...

Courses:

FYS: First Year Seminar, Academic Writing Workshop, Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II

Marla Lowenthal

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

Marla Lowenthal received a doctorate in International/Multicultural Education from USF, an MA in Media /Communication Studies from Concordia...

Courses:

Public Speaking, Writing for Advertising, Organizational Communication, Team Process and Decision-making

Marlene Mahony

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-5502

Marlene Mahony has been teaching rhetoric, writing, literature, and ESL since 1998. She received her MFA in creative nonfiction from USF, and both...

Courses:

Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II

Marc Martin

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

Marc Martin comes from a diverse experiential and practical background. He holds a BFA in painting from USF and has completed graduate work in...

Courses:

Foreword: Contemporary Issues, Public Speaking

Nicole Mauro

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-5077

Nicole Mauro earned her BA in Communications Arts in 1992, and her MAW in fiction in 1996, both from USF. After receiving her MFA in poetry from...

Courses:

Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II, FYS: First-Year Seminar, Expedition USF

Jake McGoldrick

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6862

Jake McGoldrick has a BA in American Studies and an M.A. in English, with a concentration in TESL from San Francisco State University. He has also...

Courses:

Academic Reading/Writing II, Integrated Skills II

Myrtis Mixon

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6862

Myrtis Mixon has a BA in history from Trinity College, an MA in English from Wichita State University, a TESL Certificate from New York State...

Courses:

Academic Oral Comm II, Integrated Skills III

Daniel Pearce

Adjunct faculty
(415) 422-6243

Education:

MFA in Creative Writing, Columbia University | BA in English Literature, Bard College

Courses:

Written Communication I

Lynn Perkins

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6243

Lynn Perkins has a BA in communications/public relations from California State University, Chico; an MA in English, with a concentration in TESL from...

Courses:

Public Speaking

Angelika Rappe

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6862

Angelika Rappe has a BA in Liberal Arts and an MA in English with a concentration in TESOL from San Francisco State University. She has experience...

Courses:

Academic Reading/Writing I, Academic Reading/Writing II, Academic Reading/Writing III, Integrated Skills I, Oral Communication Skills II, Introduction to Composition, Intro to Composition Intensive

Rick Roberts

Adjunct Instructor, Music, Rhetoric and Language
(415) 422-2862 x2721

Rick Roberts is now approaching his 22nd season of conducting both Voices and Voices sub-groups (Men's, Women's, Jazz, and Six). Roberts is an alumni...

Education:

Alumnus, University of San Francisco | Alumnus, San Francisco State University

Courses:

Choir, Voice Lessons, Public Speaking

Cynthia Schultes

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6862

Cynthia Schultes has taught at Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and Notre Dame Seishin University in Okayama, Japan. At USF, she teaches courses...

Education:

PhD, History, The George Washington University

Courses:

Grad Wrtg/Speaking Pract, Academic Reading/Writing III, Grad Wrtg/Speaking Pract, Research Methods, Directed Study, Foreword: Writing, Research Methods, Academic Writing Workshop, Intro to Composition Intensive, Written Communication I, Written Communication II, Directed Study

Ellen Thompson

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6010

Ellen Thompson has been teaching lower division writing courses at USF—RHET 99, 110, and 120—since 2000. She has also taught upper-division and...

Courses:

Written Communication I, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II, Writing in the Arts, Academic Writing at USF, Rhetoric of Caring

David Wiese

Adjunct Professor
(415) 422-6862

David Wiese has taught English as a second language and academic writing at University of California Berkeley, New York University, the New School,...

Courses:

Academic Reading/Writing I, Written Comm I Intensive, Written Communication II

Emeriti Faculty