George Pacheco, Jr.

George Pacheco, Jr. serves as Associate Professor of Media Communication in the Department of Communication at West Texas A&M University's Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, joining the faculty in 2021 after directing WT's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Campus to Community.

His academic credentials include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from West Texas A&M University
• Master of Arts in Communication Studies from West Texas A&M University
• Doctor of Philosophy in Communication from The University of Southern Mississippi

Dr. Pacheco's research examines first-generation college student experiences through lenses of communication pedagogy, identity formation, stereotyping mechanisms, and humor as rhetorical strategy. His scholarly output includes the edited volume First-Gen Stories for Success alongside numerous book chapters and conference presentations addressing educational equity.

He contributes to academic discourse as editorial board member for both the National Communication Association's Communication Teacher journal and the Center for First-Generation Student Success's Journal of First-Generation Student Success.

Dr. Pacheco actively mentors first-generation students through co-advising F1RSTGEN and the Iota Omega honor society while extending community engagement via United Way of Amarillo & Canyon's board membership and Day of Caring planning committee leadership.