Nicole Files-Thompson

Nicole Files-Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Mass Communications Department at Lincoln University. Formerly a television producer and writer, she brings industry experience to academia. She earned her PhD in Mass Communications and Media Studies from Howard University, where she also obtained graduate certificates in Women’s Studies, Distance Learning, and Preparing Future Faculty.

Her interdisciplinary research explores marginalized groups through the lenses of Communication Studies, Gender Studies, and Cultural Theory. Key areas include:

• Sexual identity formation and negotiation
• Intersectionality in media representations
• Queer theory applications in tourism spaces
• Critical pedagogy in digital environments
• Race/ethnicity dynamics in mass communication

Her publications engage with popular media texts like Beyoncé’s Formation, Noah’s Arc, and Love & Hip-Hop. These works examine power dynamics, identity performance, and cultural critique through feminist and queer frameworks.

Scientific achievements include:

• Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation award (Fethiye, Turkey)
• Leadership roles in National Communications Association (NCA) and Eastern Communications Association (ECA)
• Pioneering curriculum development for students of color

As an educator, she has developed 24 communications courses, mentored students through research initiatives, and implemented pathways to graduate school. Her professional engagement spans both academic leadership and intersectional analyses of media systems.