Pamela Conners

Pamela Conners is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College, where she also serves as Dean of Faculty Development in the Provost's Office and Director of the John S. Kendall Center. Her work bridges scholarship and civic engagement, focusing on rhetoric, public deliberation, and democratic discourse.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison
• M.A. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• B.A. from Bates College

Her research centers on how public discourse shapes policy and democratic decision-making. She investigates civic leadership, political communication, and the rhetoric of social change. Her teaching includes courses like Public Discourse, Rhetorical Criticism, Argumentation and Debate, and Contemporary Rhetoric, emphasizing critical thinking and ethical communication. She directs the department's Public Deliberation & Dialogue program, fostering community conversations and democratic engagement.

Her recent scholarship explores themes such as refugee resettlement rhetoric, memorialization of trauma, and deliberation in educational settings. Her publications appear in journals like Rhetoric & Public Affairs and Argumentation and Advocacy, and include public exhibits and multimedia projects. An NSF-funded project on deliberation in STEM classrooms highlights her commitment to interdisciplinary and applied communication research.

She has contributed to academic and public discourse through conference presentations, collaborative research, and community-based projects. Her leadership roles support faculty development and pedagogical innovation across the institution.

Her work emphasizes the power of communication in building just and participatory communities, connecting classroom learning with real-world civic challenges.