Amy Mendes

Amy Mendes is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communications at the University of West Georgia, part of the School of Communication, Film, and Media. She holds a B.A. in Communication from Berry College (1994), M.A. in Communication Studies from West Chester University of Pennsylvania (2010), and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama (2023). Her teaching focuses on foundational and advanced communication courses including Human Communication, Public Speaking, Rhetorical Theory, and Interpersonal Communication.

Her research interests center on academic ethics in communication, particularly plagiarism in forensic competitions, rhetorical analysis of political discourse (notably Donald Trump's candidacy), and pedagogical strategies in public speaking education. She has published works exploring plagiarism comprehension among undergraduates, digital demagogue rhetoric, and evidence abuse in competitive speaking.

Mendes has taught extensively since at least 2020, instructing courses across all communication core areas with a focus on public speaking and rhetorical theory. Her 2023 doctoral dissertation addressed plagiarism behaviors in intercollegiate forensics, reflecting her commitment to ethical communication practices.

Her academic contributions bridge communication education, forensic competition ethics, and modern rhetorical analysis of political phenomena.