Maureen A. Asten, Ed.D.

438 Plantation Street

Worcester, MA 01605

508.579.8772

Email: maureenasten@gmail.com

Summary

Broad experience in higher education, teaching, administration, and program development.  Extensive teaching experience as a communication studies generalist, with expertise in video and television, film, radio, theater production, theory and criticism, speech, multimedia production and gender and media studies. Research methods in qualitative/visual ethnography.

Education

Ed.D. Educational Foundations, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

M.S. Communication, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN

B.S. Theater, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN

Professional Experience

Consultant for Course Development, Journalism

Cardean University

Chicago, IL, November 2006 to present

Cardean University is an online university that serves working adults by providing an accessible, practical, and superior educational experience.

Responsibilities

·         Lead the definition, design and creation of a undergraduate and graduate course in Journalism/News Images

·         Design learning outcomes, select textbooks, and create student assignments

·         Write all ancillary learning resources, quizzes, exams, and projects

·         Develop instructor selection criteria and training in collaboration with the Dean of Instruction

Consultant for Curricula Development, Communication/Media Studies

Fisher College

Boston, MA, October-November 2006

Fisher College is a Boston-based accredited independent college, offering curricula that integrate a liberal education with career and pre-professional programs designed to meet the changing needs of both traditional and non-traditional learners.

Responsibilities

·         Curriculum development and design for a new Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication/Media Studies

·         Developed the program mission, objectives, and measurable student learning outcomes

·         Created course descriptions and syllabi with learning assessments for all courses in the major

·         Developed the sequence of courses and rationale for sequencing

·         Analyzed local competitors

Adjunct Professor, Department of Communications,

Worcester State College

Worcester, MA, July 2001 to present

Worcester State College, a public metropolitan institution of higher learning, affirms the principles of liberal learning as the foundation for all advanced programs of study.  The college offers programs in the traditional liberal arts and sciences disciplines, while maintaining its historical focus on teacher education.  It has expanded its offerings with professional degree programs in biomedical sciences, business, computer science, and the health professions. The college has a current enrollment of 5000 students and 180 full-time faculty.

 

Responsibilities

·         Teaching communication courses, Understanding Movies, Mass Communication & Society, & Public Speaking

·         Advising students enrolled in the Communication program

Adjunct Professor, Department of Communication Design,

Becker College

Worcester, MA, January 2003 to Spring 04

Becker College is a small, coeducational college offering programs designed for both the student seeking a four-year degree and the two-year career student.  Becker College provides academic and career education integrated with the liberal arts and sciences. The college has a current enrollment of 1,300 students and 86 full-time faculty.

 

Responsibilities

·         Teaching communications design courses, Video/Film & Audio Production, and Digital Photography

·         Advising students enrolled in the Communication program

Faculty Advisor, Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Undergraduate Studies

The Union Institute & University Center for Distance Learning
Cincinnati, OH, February 2001 to July 2001

Union Institute & University is a private, accredited university that serves mature, self-motivated, socially conscious adults in rigorous, self-paced, mentored programs without interrupting professional, family, and community commitments. Union offers a seamless progression of individualized programs of study leading to the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degree. In addition to its distance learning programs, academic centers are located throughout the US. The university has an enrollment of approximately 1400 students and 100 full-time faculty

Responsibilities

·         Teaching courses in the distance learning liberal arts program, Communication, Feminist Theory, & Criticism, Film Studies, Qualitative Research, Visual Anthropology and Interdisciplinary studies

·         Advising students enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree program

Dean and Professor

The Union Institute & University, Sacramento, CA,
August 1999 to February 2001

Responsibilities

·         Managed the college of undergraduate studies for the Sacramento Center

·         Producing and managing the center’s operational budget of $650.000

·         Hiring full-time and adjunct faculty

·         Course scheduling

·         Assigning faculty/student advising

·         Leading the curriculum and program reviews

·         Leading and facilitating recruitment

·         Evaluating 6 full-time center faculty in terms of performance research, and development

·         Teaching within an interdisciplinary and liberal arts curriculum

 

Accomplishments

·         Implemented recruitment activities to increase enrollment

·         Designed and implemented print and radio advertising for the center programs

·         Implemented center academic policies and procedures for senior graduation and center degree programs

·         Implemented recruitment activities for hiring adjunct faculty

·         Implemented a dual degree BA and BS program with another local college

·         Worked collaboratively with faculty, staff and students to create higher quality academic programs and standards

Assistant Director of Continuing and Professional Studies

The Rabb School, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA,
July 1998 to July 1999

 

The College of Arts and Sciences is the core of the University. The College is comprised of 24 departments and 22 interdepartmental programs, which offer 38 majors and 42 minors. The departments and interdepartmental programs are divided among four schools forming broad groupings among the disciplines: the School of Creative Arts, Humanities, Science, and Social Science. Interdepartmental programs provide a structured, intellectually coherent opportunity to explore areas of study that are interdisciplinary in scope. The university has an enrollment of 4,400 students and 326 full-time faculty.

 

Responsibilities

·         Provide leadership for ongoing graduate and certificate programs in software engineering

·         Implement academic policies and procedures

·         Manage a $300,000 dollar division budget

·         Plan and schedule courses

·         Hire and evaluate 12 division faculty

·         Oversee admissions process

·         Monitor the delivery of student services

·         Supervise the bursar/registration function

·         Track student financial aid disbursement

·         Plan and implement student and faculty orientation

·         Assess hardware and software needs for computer classrooms

·         Develop marketing materials

·         Identify new courses and programs

 

Accomplishments

·         Assisted in the development of course scheduling and offerings for the Master of Software Engineering Degree

·         Assisted in the implementation of enrollment activities and new student orientations

·         Assisted in the organization of faculty recruitment and training

·         Implemented procedures for managing the day to day operations of the division

·         Assisted in the development of marketing materials, division brochures and website

·         Initiated and implemented academic procedures and policies for the division, such as applying for graduation, degree audits and course transfers

·         Hired new faculty to teach in the program

·         Participated in new programs committee

 

Adjunct Professor

Northeastern University, Department of Communication Studies, Boston, MA, June 1998 to September 1998

Responsibilities

Teaching one section of Television Studio Production for Communications: Radio/Television and Film majors

Assistant Dean and Professor

The Union Institute & University, Los Angeles, CA, September 1997 to July 1998

Responsibilities

·         Manage the college of undergraduate studies for the Los Angeles Center

·         Producing and managing the center’s operational budget of 500.000

·         Hiring full-time and adjunct faculty

·         Course scheduling for all center programs

·         Assigning faculty/student advising

·         Leading the curriculum and program reviews

·         Leading and facilitating recruitment

·         Evaluating 6 full-time faculty in terms of performance, research, and development

·         Teaching within an interdisciplinary and liberal arts curriculum

Accomplishments

·         Improved the academic quality of the programs offered at the center

·         Improved enrollment at the center

·         Implemented higher standards for admissions and degree plan approval

·         Developed marketing materials, including the assisting in the writing of the college catalog and college wide brochure

·         Developed systems for coordinating center advising and processes for handling student and administrative paperwork and activities

·         Organized a smoother running center by implementing policies and procedures and quality assurance

·         Tightened academic standards where needed, while maintaining sensitivity to special-needs students

Chairperson and Tenured Assistant Professor

Worcester State College, Worcester, MA 1989-1997
 Department of Communications

Responsibilities

·         Departmental administration for 6 full-time and 4 adjunct faculty.

·         Producing and managing the department’s budget,

·         All course scheduling for the communication program

·         Assigning faculty/student advising, and supervising curriculum and program revisions

·         Serving on the college-wide curriculum committee

·         Hiring and evaluating all full and part time faculty

·         Serving on tenure committees

·         Teaching the following courses: Film and Television Criticism and Theory, Gender and Intercultural Studies, Interpersonal Communication, Communication Theory, Beginning and Advanced Video Studio/Field Production, Mass Communication Research and Theory, Mass Media Technology and Society

Accomplishments

·         Facilitated and led the faculty and students in a major revision of the communication curriculum

·         Initiated and administered a joint degree program with the Master of Professional Communication Degree at Clark University with the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication at Worcester State College to increase enrollment and program awareness

·         Received and implemented new equipment for the department television studio, film screening room and photography labs

·         Received a professional development grant to implement a college film festival to promote diversity on the campus

·         Led and implemented an annual departmental video festival for communication students to show their work to the college and local community

·         Received tenure as an Assistant Professor of Communications

·         Implemented and assisted with other faculty in developing a faculty forum for faculty to share their research and academic projects with the community

·         Published and produced a visual ethnography film and book

·         Presented several professional papers at various conventions

Faculty Instructor

Miami University, Oxford, OH 1985-1989                                              Miami University Extension Campus, Hamilton, Ohio 1985-1989
 Department of Mass Communication

Responsibilities

Teaching Beginning and Advanced Video/Film Production, Sound Production, Broadcast Writing, Visual Learning and Literacy honors course, Introduction to Mass Media Technology and Society and advising Mass Communication Majors

Faculty Instructor

Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 1985
 Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts

Responsibilities

Teaching Film as Art, Film History and Theory, Broadcast Writing, Public Speaking and Broadcasting and advising Communication Majors

Faculty Instructor

Western State College, Gunnison, CO 1983-1984
Department of Mass Communication

Responsibilities

Teaching Television Production, Film Arts, Oral Interpretation, Theater Appreciation, and Public Speaking

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 1982-1983
 Department of Communication

Responsibilities

All phases of instruction, testing and grading undergraduates in three sections of Introduction to Speech Communications

Faculty Advising

Clark University 1996-1997

Worcester, MA
Graduate thesis advisor for a graduate study on women in non-commercial radio.

Worcester State College 1989-1997

Worcester, MA
Advisor for the student-run radio station, WSCU, and to the student-run television station. Duties include supervising radio executive board, and supervising production of radio documentaries/features, dramas, and television news.
Advisor of Alpha Epsilon Rho, a national honors society for Communication majors and minors. Responsible for leadership, and organizing the chapter's members.
Faculty advisor for summer orientation program for new and transfer students.
Department representative for open campus programs for first year students.

Miami University , Oxford Ohio, 1987-1989

Served as faculty advisor for the university chapter of Women in Communications. Responsible for organizing and programming the chapter and its members.

Served as faculty advisor for a three-week orientation program for first year students. Advised Humanities majors in course selection and schedules.

Professional Activities

Producer/Film Director, Gay Marriage: A Basic Civil Right, June 2006, Worcester, MA

This documentary explores the impact of the fight for gay marriage as a basic civil right for gay and lesbians teenagers and their families.  This documentary gives life to voices of gay teenagers who are oppressed because of their sexual orientation. This film explores, the celebration of the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts, as well as the struggle to keep their basic civil rights and the hate movement against them.

Liaison/Administrator, A Joint Degree Completion Program between The Union Institute, College of Undergraduate Studies and Rudolf Steiner College, 2000

Develop program guidelines to integrate undergraduate BA/BS degrees at The Union Institute with the AA degree at Rudolf Steiner College.

Advisor/Consultant, Clark University, Worcester, MA September 1998 – July 1999

Responsible for serving on the advisory board for the Master's of Professional Communications, Continuing Education Program

Reviewer

·         Manuscript for an upcoming textbook, The Critical Practice of Film, Allyn & Bacon, 2005

·         Paper presentations for the Mass Communication Division of the Speech          Communication Association, 1997

·         The textbook Understanding Movies, Eighth Edition; Louis Giannetti; Prentice Hall, 1997

Consultant, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA, 1997

Evaluate and review tenure files, and report findings for a special tenure committee.

Liaison/Administrator, 5 year Program for Worcester State College and Clark University Master in Professional Communications, 1996

Develop program guidelines to integrate undergraduate program at Worcester State College with the master degree program at Clark University.

Director/Co-Producer, The Annual Communications Department Video Festival for Worcester State College Students, 1995

Supervised and directed the student video club with 20 members who were responsible for selecting the 15 eligible videos, buying and distributing awards, and publicizing the call for videos and event screening.

Co-Producer, The 2nd Annual Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Film Festival 1993-1994 Worcester, MA

Responsible for selecting 10 films for a five-day festival for the Worcester area community, as well as fund-raising, budgeting, and publicity. The festival drew an estimated 1000 viewers.

Producer/Video Director, Intimate Relationships in Four Lesbian Families Living in American Society 1992-1993 University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Wrote and researched the four hour ethnographic video/written series that explores and describes alternative families in America Society.

Producer/Film Director, The Images 1982-1983 Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN

Wrote, directed, and publicized an 80-minute avant-garde film that focused on current feminist issues, and how they relate to a contemporary society. The film creates an interpretation of a poem by Adrienne Rich, and uses film as an authentic medium for poetic language.

Producer/Theater Director/Public Relations, Two Heads are Better than One 1978 Elkhart, IN

Coordinated and produced a children’s play for a new children’s theater company. Supervised and maintained budget for all production areas. Coordinated all production staff and casting. Prepared program copy, news releases, posters and other public relations materials. Directed a children’s theatrical production four nights, for an estimated audience of people.

Radio Announcer, 1976 Elkhart, IN

Disc Jockey for WVPE, a public broadcasting station. Responsible for news gathering, scriptwriting, and performing original weekly show that featured specific artists on each show as well as current news reporting.

Convention Papers

The Documentary as Social Activism: Gay Marriage: The Fight for a Basic Human Right

Screening and Presentation accepted at The Popular Culture Association National Conference, Boston, MA, April  2007

Voices of Dissent, Voices of Hope: Gay Marriage: The Fight for a Basic Human Right

Poster presentation and discussion accepted at the Oral History Association Annual Meeting, Providence, Rhode Island, November 2005

Inside Out/Outside In: Women and Film

Paper and panel presentation accepted for presentation at the Annual Oral History Association Conference, Buffalo, NY, October 1998

Alternative Ways of Seeing: Creating Images and Visualization to Communicate Empowerment, Gender, and a Feminist Post-Modern Perspective

Poster presentation and discussion presented at the National Communication Association Convention, New York, NY, November 1998

Lesbian Families Relationships in American Society: A Feminist Ethnography

A paper presentation accepted at 16^th Annual Intercultural Communication Conference, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 1999

Panel presentation accepted for the Far West Popular and American Culture Associations, Las Vegas, NV, February 1998

A paper presentation accepted at the American Culture Association National Conference, Orlando, Florida, 1998

Lesbian Family Relationships: The Making of an Ethnographic Film

Paper and Video presentation accepted for the National Women’s Studies Association Conference, University of Missouri-St. Louis, June 1997

Poster presentation accepted for presentation at the Seventh Annual Women and Society Conference, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, June 1997

Poster presentation and discussion accepted for presentation at the Northeastern Anthropological Association, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, April 1997

Paper and panel presentation at the Annual New Mexico Women’s Studies Conference, University of New Mexico, March 1997

Paper and Video presentation on the use of video as a form of research methodology in the fields of anthropology and communication, at the Departmental Colloquia Series, Anthropology Department, Brandies University, November 1996

A poster presentation and discussion presented at the 95th Annual American Anthropological Association, San Francisco, November 1996

A paper presentation accepted for presentation at the 96th Annual American Anthropological Association, Washington, D.C. November 1997

Intimate Relationships in Two Lesbian Families Living in American Society

Video screening and discussion presented at the Console-ing Passions: Television, Video, and Feminism Conference, University of Washington, April 1995

Video screening at the Lucky Charm Video Festival, Seattle, Washington, August, 1995

Panel/paper presentation at the Northeast Popular Culture Conference, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, October 1995. The presentation was also accepted for the national Popular Culture Conference in March 1996, at Las Vegas.

Pets of Hets: The Portrayal of Lesbian Characters in Popular Cinema  

Paper presentation accepted for presentation at the American Culture Association Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2000.

Paper presentation accepted for presentation at the Northeast Popular Culture Association, Boston, Massachusetts, October 1997.

Paper presentation accepted for presentation at the International conference on Borders and Foundations in Literature and Visual Arts, Including Cinema, Atlanta, Georgia, October 1997

Radical Feminist Pedagogy as a Way to Raise Consciousness and Advocate Change in a Contemporary Society

Presented at Midwestern Society for Feminists Studies, Ball State University Muncie, IN, March 1989

Accepted for presentation at the Sixth Annual Graduate Women’s Studies Conference, Feminism As Catalyst: Bridging the Discourses of the Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, University of Maryland, March 1989

Careers in Media and how the Mass Media Impacts a Society

Presented to the eighth grade health classes at Indian Hill Middle School, Cincinnati, OH, December 1993. The purpose of this presentation and discussion was to raise student consciousness on the effects of television, and an understanding of development of media literacy in schools.

 

Research

Recipient of 2007 Jeffrey L. Roberts Faculty Development Scholarship,
Worcester State College

This scholarship was granted for a workshop presentation on the use of home video to create documentaries that challenge society and promote social engagement.

Recipient of 1996-1997 Worcester State College Professional Development Grant

This project was designed to create a multicultural film series to enhance the academic climate on campus.

Lesbian Family Relationships: The Making of an Ethnographic Film Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., Westport, July 1997.

This video ethnography is a written and visual study that addresses how relationships within the families function, and how the relationships affect different family members.

 

College Committees

 

Previously served on:

Academic Quality and Standards
Access Scholarship Committee
Admissions Committee

All College Curriculum
College Curriculum New Programs Subcommittee

Communication Curriculum Subcommittee
Deans Council

Enrollment Coordinator Committee

Faculty Forum
Faculty Search Committees
Focus on the Arts
Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Scholarship Committee

Women’s Studies Program

Teaching Areas

 

Film and Television History, Theory, and Criticism

Contemporary Film and Society

Media and Culture

Theater Arts

Cinematography

Ethnographic/Documentary Film/Video Theory and Production

Experimental/Avant Garde Film/Video Theory and Production

Television Studio Production
Video and Film Production

Digital Video Editing
Feminist Visual Anthropology

Digital Photography

Gender and Communication

Public Speaking

Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Studies
Women and Mass Media
Lesbian and Gay Studies
Social Impact of Mass Media

Professional Organizations

Popular Culture Association

The Society for Cinema Studies

American Association of University Administrators

Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers, Inc.

National Communication Association

National Women's Studies Association