Michael Porter

Title: Associate professor of communication

Background: Porter has directed Special Degree Programs since 2000. He has been on the faculty of the Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Science since 1979. Before that he taught at the University of Houston and the University of Iowa, where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in speech and dramatic art, with an emphasis in broadcasting. He speaks to many groups on campus, including new graduate teaching assistants, incoming freshmen students and their parents during Summer Welcome, and teaching workshops for young faculty. His research interests focus on media literacy, and gender representations in the media, with an emphasis on how men are represented.

Education: PhD, speech and dramatic art, University of Iowa, 1975

Speaking Topic: How to succeed in college; what you can expect from your college teachers; and characteristics of successful teachers