Curriculum Vitae

Professional Profile

A creative and invested teacher who is:

Dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and free thought while maintaining an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding;
Devoted to helping students develop their own voice as a form of agency while placing emphasis on the ability to articulate thought through the spoken and written word;
Committed to the continuous improvement of active learning teaching methods while incorporating material that is innovative, thought provoking, and intellectually accessible to students;
Eager to teach a diverse population of students about the utility of communication beyond the academic arena and into everyday life;
Experienced in the use of the Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle classroom management programs.

Education

Bowling Green State University

Doctorate of Philosophy, Media & Communication December 2018

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Master of Arts in Communication Studies May 2013

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies May 2011

Rockingham Community College

Associate of Arts July 2009

Teaching Interests

Critical Theory Digital Humanities Comic Studies

Media & Pop. Culture Identity Qualitative Methods

Critical Race Studies Public Speaking White Nationalism

Teaching Experience

Assistant Professor

Department of Mass Communication
North Carolina Central University
Spring 2022 – Present

MSCM 2430: Media and Society
MSCM 2460: Mass Media and American Popular Culture

Lecturer

Department of Communication Studies
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Fall 2020 – Spring 2022

CST 105: Introduction to Communication Studies
FMS 116: A World of Marvels
CST 207: Relational Communication
CST 341: Communication & Workplace Relationships
CST 399: Communication Research Methods
CST 460: Superheroes, Symbolism, & Society (Special Topic Course)
CST 460: Popular Culture Studies (Special Topic Course)
CST 460: Popular Culture & Propaganda (Special Topic Course)

Nido Qubein School of Communication
High Point University
Fall 2018 – Spring 2020

COM 1110: Human Communication
POP 2231: Writing for Film & Electronic Media
POP 3324: Myth & Media
POP 2204: Media & Popular Culture
HNR 2505: Aesthetic Inquiry: Art, Protest, Persuasion, or Propaganda?
COM 5604: Intercultural Communication (MA Course)

Graduate Teaching Assistant

School of Media and Communication

Bowling Green State University

Fall 2015 – Spring 2018

COMM 1020: Introduction to Public Speaking
- Instructor of Record
COMM 2010: Communication Theory
- Teaching Assistant
- Instructor of Record
TCOM 1030: Media and the Information Society
- Instructor of Record
TCOM 1030: Media and the Information Society
- Teaching Assistant
COMM 2090: Interpersonal Comm. & Interviewing
- Instructor of Record

Department of Communication Studies
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Fall 2012 – Spring 2013

CST 105: Introduction to Communication Studies

Adjunct Course Instructor

Department of Humanities and Fine Arts

Rockingham Community College

Spring 2014

COM 231: Public Speaking

School of Communication

High Point University

Spring 2014

COM 1110: Human Communication

Department of Communication and Foreign Language

Guilford Technical Community College

Fall 2013 – Spring 2014

COM 110: Introduction to Communication.
COM 120: Interpersonal Communication,
- (In-Class & Hybrid Format)

Department of General Studies
South University

Fall 2013 – Spring 2014

SPC 1026: Public Speaking

Other Teaching Experience

Guest Lecture:

Coastal Carolina University
- COMM 276: Communication Research

Bowling Green State University
COMM 2070: Interpersonal Communication
MDIA 4610: Audience Research
Mandela-Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Institute
Public Speaking Seminar

Conferences & Publications___________________________________________

Conferences

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Changing the Stars: Challenging Indigenous Tropes Through Native Narratives in Moonshot Comics.” Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association (SSCA) Annual Convention, Greenville, SC April 2022

Gabriel A. Cruz, “‘How to be an Anti-Racist’: Connecting the Work of Ibram X. Kendi with Critical Intercultural Communication Scholarship & Praxis”, Roundtable Discussion. Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Madison, WI, March 2022

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Roundtable on Re-Connecting Rhetorical Studies and Research Methods”, Roundtable Discussion. Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Madison, WI, March 2022

Gabriel A. Cruz, “JEDI Initiatives: A Roundtable Showcase of Communication Pedagogies”, Roundtable Discussion. Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Madison, WI, March 2022

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Continuing the Conversation: Renewing and Transforming Critical Race Theory in Communication Studies”, Roundtable Discussion. National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Seattle, WA, November 2021

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Trauma-Informed Approaches to Communication Research Pedagogy”, Roundtable Discussion. National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Seattle, WA, November 2021

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Critical Race Theory: “Indoctrination” and “Revolution” in Communication Studies?”, Roundtable Discussion. Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Cincinnati, OH, March 2020

Gabriel A. Cruz, “The White & The Worthy: A Critical Analysis of Cross-Cultural Superhero Legacy in Avengers: Endgame”, paper presented at the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN, November 2020

Linsay M. Cramer and Gabriel A. Cruz, “Whiteness, Masculinity, and Ammorality in Netflix’s The Punisher”, paper presented and awarded Top Paper in the Critical Cultural Division at the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN, November 2020

Gabriel A. Cruz, “False Gods & Feminine Machines: A Critical Analysis of Gender Dynamics within Ex Machina”, paper accepted to the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, April 2020

Gabriel A. Cruz, “The Devil in the White Suit: Deconstructing Capitalist Oppression within Netflix’s Daredevil Series”, paper accepted to the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, April 2020

Gabriel A. Cruz, “White-Washing the Web-Slinger: Examining Miles Morales’ Latinidad in Spider-Man: Enter the Spider-Verse”, paper accepted to the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, April 2020

Gabriel A. Cruz, “My Blood Right: A Critical Analysis of Black Panther’s Killmonger and Hybrid Identity”, Paper presented at the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Baltimore, MD, November 2019

Gabriel A. Cruz and Patrick Sawyer, “A Safe Space for the White Race: An Interrogation of White Nationalist Propaganda on College Campuses.” Paper presented at the National Communication Association (NCA) sponsored Finding Expression in Contested Public Spaces Free Speech Conference at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, October 2019

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Frank Castle & American Carnage: The Punisher in the Age of Trump.” Paper presented at the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Omaha, NE, April 2019

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Red, Green, & Blue Men: Deconstructing Indigenous Identity in Marvel’s The Gifted.” Paper presented at the Comics and Popular Arts Conference, Atlanta, GA, September 2018

Gabriel A. Cruz, ““Lucille is Thirsty”: Deconstructing The Walking Dead’s Negan and the Alt-Right.” Paper presented at the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Milwaukee, MI, April 2018

Xinxin Jiang, Linsay Cramer, Gabriel A. Cruz, and James Proszek, “The National Anthem, a New Political Weapon?” Discussion panel presented at the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Milwaukee, MI, April 2018

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Mexicans, Mutants, and Metal Claws: Imperial Powers and Latino Labor within Marvel’s Logan.” Paper presented at the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Dallas, TX, November 2017

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Brick by Brick: A Rhetorical Deconstruction of Trump’s Border Wall in 84 Lumber’s Super Bowl Commercial.” Paper presented at the NCA Annual Convention, Dallas, TX, November 2017

Gabriel A. Cruz, “From East L.A. to ABC: A Critical Analysis of Ghost Rider Reyes’ Whitewashed Latinidad.” Paper presented at the Comics and Popular Arts Conference, Atlanta, GA, September 2017

Benjamin Brojakowski and Gabriel A. Cruz, “Dear Researchers: A Thematic Analysis of Nicole Arbour’s Controversial YouTube Comedy”. Paper presented at the International Society for Humor Studies, Montreal, QC, Canada, July 2017

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Weird Research: An Activity for the Development of Research Skills Focusing on Credibility and Efficiency.” Great Ideas for Teaching Students (G.I.F.T.S.) presented at the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Minneapolis, MN, March 2017.

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Broken Pieces of the Past: Understanding the Articulations of Confederate and Southern Identity.” Paper presented at the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention, Grand Rapids, MI, March 2016

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Hulk Smash Ideology: Post-Racism & Xenophobia in Marvel’s The Avengers.” Paper Presented at the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV, November 2015.

Etsuko Kinefuchi and Gabriel A. Cruz, “The Mexicans in the News: Representation of Mexican Immigrants in the Internet News Media.” Paper presented at the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, November 2014.

Gabriel A. Cruz, “The Mexican in the Media: How Mexican Immigrants are Portrayed in the News.” Paper presented at the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA) Annual Convention, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC, October 2013.

Gabriel A. Cruz and Garrett Richardson, “Media Literacy Role Playing Game.” Great Ideas for Teaching Students (G.I.F.T.S.) Presented at the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA) Annual Convention, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC, October 2013.

Gabriel A. Cruz, “Standing in the Shadow of Atlas.”, Paper presented at Autoethnography: (Re)Writing Self, Others, and Society, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX, March 2013.

Publications

Cruz, G. A., Sawyer, P. (2021). “A Safe Space for the White Race: An Interrogation of White Nationalist Propaganda on College Campuses”. In S. Jovanovic (Ed.), Finding Expression in Contested Public Spaces: Paths to Free Speech and Civic Engagement.

Cruz, G. A. (2021). “My Bloodright: A Critical Analysis of Black Panther’s Erik Killmonger, Colonialism, and Hybrid Identity”. In K. A. Ritzenhoff & Renée T. White (Eds.), Black Panther: AfroFuturism, Gender, Identity, and the Re-Making of Blackness.

Atkinson, J., Chappuis, S., Cruz, G. A., Gilkeson, S., Kaunert, C., Kluch, Y., (2017). Feminist Jedi and a politically correct empire: Popular culture and transformative bridges in alternative media content. Journal of Alternative and Community Media, 2(–), 60-71

Cruz, G. A. (2017). A Chimichanga for the Mercenary Soul. In N. Michaud & J.T. May (Eds). Deadpool and Philosophy: My Common Sense is Tingling (pp. 259-270). Chicago, Illinois: Open Court Publishing

Kinefuchi, E., & Cruz, G. A. (2015). The Mexicans in the News: Representation of Mexican Immigrants in the Internet News Media. Howard Journal of Communications, 26(4), 333-351.

Accepted Works in Progress

Cruz, G. A., “Surviving a Shape-Shifting Terrain: Mystique and Ideologies of Oppression”. In J. M. Carnes, M. Galvan, & N. E. Miller (Eds.), Futures of Cartoons Past: The Cultural Politics of X-Men: The Animated Series

Brojakowski, B., Cruz, G. A., “Busting Trolls: Examining the Hate Campaign Against Actress Leslie Jones”. In L. Cuklanz & H. McIntosh (Eds.), When the Virtual Becomes Real: Gender Violence and Social, Mobile, and Interactive Media.

Professional Affiliations

National Communication Association

American Communication Association

Central States Communication Association

Professional Service_________________________________________________

Editorial
- Reviewer, Popular Culture Studies Journal (2019 – Present)
- Reviewer, Quarterly Review of Film and Video (2021)
National Communication Association
- Paper Reviewer, Critical and Cultural Studies Division (2019 – Present)
Central States Communication Association
- Paper Reviewer, Intercultural Communication Interest Group (2019 – Present)

Institutional Service

High Point University

Presidential Scholarship Interview Committee (2019-2020)
International Student Affairs Committee (2019-2020)
Nido Qubein School of Communication Diversity Committee (2018-2019)

Bowling Green State University

Graduate Communication Association (GCA)

Vice President (Fall 2017 – Spring 2018)
Committee Board Member for Sixth Annual GCA Conference
Secretary (Fall 2016 – Spring 2017)
Committee Board Member for Fifth Annual GCA Conference
Treasurer (Fall 2015 – Spring 2016)