Lee M. Pierce

Lee M. Pierce is an Associate Professor of Rhetorical Communication at SUNY Geneseo, specializing in stylistics, critical race studies, and U.S. cultural analysis. They teach courses on rhetoric, visual media, and stand-up comedy, emphasizing rhetorical literacy and resisting clichés. Pierce advises The Lamron student newspaper, Chromatic digital arts collective, and oversees communication and podcast internships. Their research critiques media representation, political discourse, and popular culture through lenses of power and identity. They have published in Text & Performance Quarterly, Women’s Studies in Communication, and The Conversation, with a forthcoming book on political syntax. Pierce’s TEDx talk analyzing Beyoncé’s ‘Formation’ demonstrates their pedagogical approach. They hold certifications in cultural competency and effective teaching.

Teaching focuses include rhetoric’s role in shaping belief systems, with courses like Rhetoric of Stand-Up Comedy and Visual Rhetoric. They mentor undergraduate research projects, including those funded by the Kyrwood Summer Research Fellowship Grant. Media appearances include commentary in Washington Post, ABC7 News, and TEDx platforms.

Pierce’s work bridges academia and public engagement, advocating for rhetorical literacy’s societal impact. Their commitment to inclusive education includes policy transparency and fostering student creativity through directed studies and research assistantships.