Christopher Skiles

Christopher Skiles is a Lecturer and Interim Director of Forensics in the Communication Studies Department at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), part of the College of Liberal Arts. He has served as a forensics educator for over 24 years, coaching national and international championship debate teams in both American policy and World’s debate formats. Skiles joined Cal Poly’s faculty in 2002 after completing doctoral coursework in Rhetoric and Public Advocacy at The University of Iowa, where he also earned an M.A. in Native American and Indigenous Studies. He holds additional degrees from California State University, Northridge (M.A., Communication Studies) and Cal Poly (B.A., Speech Communication).

Education:

• ABD, Rhetoric and Public Advocacy – The University of Iowa
• M.A., Native American and Indigenous Studies – The University of Iowa
• M.A., Communication Studies – California State University, Northridge
• B.A., Speech Communication – California Polytechnic State University

His research and teaching interests center on rhetoric, debate pedagogy, media criticism, and public advocacy. As Director of Forensics, he oversees Cal Poly’s debate programs and teaches courses such as Public Speaking, Argument and Advocacy, and Rhetorical Criticism. His career spans decades of leadership in competitive debate, blending academic rigor with practical advocacy skills.

Awards: No specific scientific awards mentioned.
Advising & Grants: Focus on mentoring debate teams and fostering forensic education. No grants explicitly listed.
Labs/Teams: Director of Forensics at Cal Poly, leading the debate program.