Teaching
As an educator, I approach the classroom as a space for inquiry, reflection, and dialogue. I encourage students to critically examine how communication shapes individual identity, community relationships, and broader political and cultural structures. Whether teaching strategic communication, media theory, or public speaking, I emphasize engaged pedagogy — drawing connections between academic content and the lived experiences of students, especially those from historically underrepresented communities.
I have taught at a range of institutions — public and private, in the United States and Ethiopia — working with diverse student populations including first-generation college students, multilingual learners, and international students. My teaching spans strategic communication, advertising, public relations, intercultural communication, media studies, and research methods.
Institutions & Roles
- Adjunct Professor, Various Colleges, Twin Cities, MN (2024–present)
- Researcher, NSF-funded Convergence Accelerator / Discourse Labs (2023–2024)
- Assistant Professor, Hamline University (2018–2023)
- Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Oregon (2013–2018)
- Lecturer, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia (2005–2012)
Teaching Areas
My teaching expertise spans the following areas, developed across more than a decade of classroom instruction:
Strategic Communication & Public Relations Principles of Advertising, Advertising and Culture, PR Campaigns, Strategic Communications Research Methods, Gateway to Media (Strategic Communication), Message Design & Audience Understanding, Ethical & Civic Communication
Media Studies & Digital Communication Introduction to Critical Media Studies, Media in the Digital Age, Media in Global Perspective, Story Production for Digital Media, Media and Society, Media Professions
Communication Foundations Public Speaking, Introduction to Communication, Small Group Communication, Intercultural Communication, Communication Research Methods, Communications Law
Selected Courses by Institution
At Hamline University (2018–2023) and Various Colleges (2024–present)
COMM 1100: Introduction to Communication · COMM 1110: Public Speaking · COMM 1750: Small Group Communication · COMM 1320: Introduction to Critical Media Studies · COMM 3320: Media in the Digital Age · COMM 3460: Intercultural Communication · COMM 3300: Communication Research Methods · COMM 3420: Media in Global Perspective
At University of Oregon (2013–2018)
J100: Media Professions · J201: Media and Society · J207: Gateway to Media · J340: Principles of Advertising · J396: International Communication · J385: Communications Law · J320: Gender, Media & Diversity · J408: Advertising and Culture
At Arba Minch University, Ethiopia (2005–2012)
Principles of Journalism · Media Law & Ethics · Research Methods · Public Speaking · Argumentation and Debate · Senior Capstone Project · Sociolinguistics · Business Writing · Technical Report Writing
Teaching Portfolio
My complete teaching portfolio — including syllabi, student evaluation summaries, and sample assignments — is available upon request. Please contact me at endalk2006@gmail.com.