Deborah Macey

Instructor, Communication Studies 

Prior to arriving at UP, Deborah Macey worked in a variety of teaching positions, which continually pulled her from the Midwest to the West Coast and back again. A native of St. Louis, she attended Saint Louis University for her undergraduate and master’s degrees and earned her Ph.D. in communication and society with a certificate in women’s and gender studies at the University of Oregon. After graduating, Deborah taught at Cottey College, Saint Louis University, University of Washington Tacoma, and Columbia College. Deborah has taught courses in communication, media studies, and journalism. She was the public speaking trainer at Cottey College and is energized by helping students improve their public speaking performances. She believes that communication competence can improve students’ relationships, academic success, career opportunities, and civic engagement. Deborah’s scholarship focuses on the intersections of gender, race, and class in popular culture. She has edited and written for three collections on television studies and has published in others. She presents regularly at conferences and serves as a series editor with Lexington Books. UP’s focus on social justice inspires her most. She will continue her volunteer work with Girls on the Run and Let Me Run. She hopes her teaching, research, and service help students see beyond their personal experiences to engage with the diverse world around them striving for social justice.