Coe College | Rhetoric

Academics > Faculty

Faculty

	Susanne Gubanc Adjunct Assistant Professor of Rhetoric Director of Communication Studies B.A., University of Illinois, Springfield M.A., Miami University, Ohio M.A., University of York, England Email: sgubanc@coe.edu Classes taught: Introduction to Journalism Introduction to Public Relations Introduction to Gender Sex, Race and Gender in Media Journalism Practicum Advanced Media Writing Workshop Susanne Gubanc’s favorite Coe tradition is to attend the weekly conversation at the local coffee shop with the Cosmos (campus newspaper) staff and talk over the good & bad of each issue. Along with teaching, she is an amateur photographer, once worked as a donut-girl at Dunkin Donuts and is co-founder of a feminist theatre company. “I began to see the importance of communication and media when still in elementary school while watching old black & white movies. I think of it as storytelling, because storytelling helps us make sense of the world. When we hear a story that touches us profoundly, our lives are changed, our ideas altered. So to me, stories are our primary tools of growth. Each day we use stories to pass along information, insights, and observances. I want to help us all tell our stories.”

	Robert Marrs The Esther & Robert Armstrong Professor of Rhetoric, Chair Director of Writing Center B.A., Kansas State University M.A., Ph.D., Washington State University Email: rmarrs@coe.edu Courses taught include: Cultural Studies Topics in Composition The Essay Environmental Rhetoric Writer’s Colony (May Term travel literature course) Nature Writing (Summer term course at Coe’s Wilderness Field Station) Dr. Marrs is the Director of the Writing Center, and coordinator of the college's Writing-Across-the-Curriculum program. He is also the advisor for Colere. “I love teaching because it gives me an excuse for continuing to work on my own education, read new books, engage in new conversations, read student compositions, help students discover new ways to enhance their learning. There is nothing more exciting or rewarding than this interaction with students. New knowledge and understanding is created in the collaborative communities as we work together. It's great fun to be engaged in this kind of learning environment.” Full profile of Bob Marrs.

	Jane Nesmith Adjunct Assistant Professor of Rhetoric B.A., The College of Wooster M.A., Indiana University Ph.D., University of Iowa Email: jnesmith@coe.edu Classes taught: Rhetorical Theory and Practice Professional Writing Journalism Workshop Advanced Writing Workshop Dr. Nesmith is the advisor for The Pearl. Besides teaching, she is a local freelance writer, a Black belt in Tae Kwon Do and the mom of two teen boys. “Ever since I graduated from college myself, I’ve wanted to teach at a liberal arts college. And here I am. I find it a great source of joy to be part of a liberal arts community where students learn to think critically, communicate clearly, behave ethically, and approach any situation with curiosity and creativity.” Read a full profile at http://www.coe.edu/admission/facultyprofiles/jane_nesmith Visit her Website

	Karen Antons Sindelar Adjunct Assistant Professor of Rhetoric Director of the Speaking Center Coordinator of Advising B.A., Luther College M.A., Antioch University New England Email: ksindela@coe.edu Classes taught: Fundamentals of Public Speaking Topics in Communication Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): We Have Ways to Make You Talk Along with teaching, Ms. Sindelar has worked as a Camp Director, been a Dance/Movement Therapist, and traveled to thirteen countries while singing in the St. Mark’s choir. She loves watercolor painting, spending time at her family’s century farm, and her two (nearly grown) kids. “I love how integrated our students are with real world experiences. Our department stands out from other schools because of our love of diversity, process education, and service learning. In service learning projects, students interact with people from our community, using skills they've learned in the classroom and building experience for their résumés.” View Full Profile

	Karla Steffens-Moran Adjunct Assistant Professor of Rhetoric B.A., Southern Illinois University M.A., The Johns Hopkins University M.F.A., University of Iowa Email: ksteffen@coe.edu Classes taught: Propaganda and Persuasion Media and Mass Communication US Pluralism Writing in the Digital Age Critical Pedagogy Honors Composition Ms. Steffens-Moran loves the tradition of ringing of the bell to begin and end a student's time at Coe. Along with teaching, she has worked as a waitress in a German café, been a bus driver in Chicago and enjoys pesto on any kind of pasta. “I love the atmosphere of a small liberal arts college where I can truly spend time one-on-one with students. Our department stands out from other schools because of our discussion-based classes versus lecture in which the communication is not just a word to describe the content, but the process by which that content is learned.”

	Mary Louise Taylor Instructor of Rhetoric B.S.N., University of Iowa J.D., University of Iowa M.A., University of Iowa Classes taught: Writing Seminar in Non-Western Culture Propaganda and Persuasion Writer's Workshop Advanced Writer's Workshop Nursing Research Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Ms. Taylor also teaches courses in ethics and research in the Nursing department. In addition to teaching, she enjoys gardening, volunteers at Camp Hitaga, and looks forward to breaking 40 in nine holes of golf. “We have very capable instructors who are most sincere in their desire to help students grow and develop the ability to write, to work together, to think.”

	Deborah Wooldridge Adjunct Assistant Professor of Rhetoric B.A., B.S., Iowa State University M.F.A, Yale University Email: dwooldri@coe.edu Courses taught include: Interpersonal Communication Intercultural Communication Interviewing Teamwork and Leadership in Small Groups Lakota Culture and Communication on the Reservation Ms. Wooldridge has conducted diversity awareness workshops for Alpha Omega Pi sorority and Cultural Diversity, and the U.S. Army. She is raising her granddaughter, is creating a Japanese-style garden in Iowa, and enjoys Mideast folk dancing as part of the Sisters of the Shifting Sand. “I love going to Standing Rock Reservation, SD each May term and introducing Coe students to the Lakota culture and my friends there. Encountering the spirituality of the Lakota culture, the poverty, and the effects of our government's policies has caused me to rethink my values.