Bio

Dianne Blomberg is a writer and speaker living in Colorado. She is a multi-published short story and creative non-fiction author whose work can be found in HerStry, Feminine Collective, Across the Margin, Button Eye Review, Alpha Female Society, American Writer’s Review, in “best of” volumes and anthologies and several more. Currently, Dianne bundles her creativity, her understanding of human relationships, and her relentless drive toward story to work as a TV scriptwriter.

Education

Dianne holds a Ph.D. in Human Communication from the University of Denver, an M.A. in Organizational Communication from the University of Northern Colorado, and a B.A. in Speech Communication from Metropolitan State University.

Professional Experience

Dianne’s professional career started in marketing and public relations but the need to connect in a more meaningful way moved her to become a teacher. First, she was a high school teacher of writing and speech, then moved on to become a college professor. Always creating stories and scenes in her head, she is credited with two published children’s picture books. Dianne’s human-interest stories are featured in local newspapers and her relatable relationship research is cited in Good Housekeeping, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Family Life, Newsday-New York, The Denver Post and more. She is the 2023 President of the Denver Woman’s Press Club.

Teaching Philosophy

Dianne teaches to help students achieve their best work and achieve professional success. Her goal is to guide students to the edge of their understanding where new discoveries await them.

Bio

Shaniquè Broom is an educator, curriculum and learning design specialist, and scholar with over a decade of experience in higher education. She has worked across academic and professional education settings to support faculty, staff, and institutions in designing learning experiences that are inclusive, rigorous, and grounded in justice.

Shaniquè’s professional work centers on equitable learning design, inclusive pedagogy, and the translation of theory into practice. She has collaborated with faculty and academic teams across the country to redesign courses, programs, and curricula with attention to access, power, and student experience. Her research and professional practice are deeply informed by critical pedagogical traditions, including the work of Paulo Freire and bell hooks, and by her scholarship on the experiences of Black women navigating systems of racism and sexism in professional environments.

Education

Shaniquè holds a B.A. in Psychology from Central Michigan University, an M.A. in Higher Education from Central Michigan University; a certificate of college teaching from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education with a concentration in race and ethnicity from the University of Denver.

Teaching Philosophy

At the College of Professional Studies, Shaniquè brings a reflective, student-centered teaching approach that emphasizes critical inquiry, applied learning, and thoughtful engagement with real-world contexts. Her courses are intentionally structured to scaffold learning, invite multiple perspectives, and support students in developing practical tools they can carry into their professional and civic lives.

Bio

Greta is a consultant to domestic-based U.S. companies, helping them develop integrated marketing communication plans to help grow their reputations and cultivate their brands. Previously, she held leadership positions at the Investments & Wealth Institute, Iliff School of Theology, The Children’s Hospital (Colorado) and the Denver Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. Large-scale projects in Denver included the communication lead for the Lowry Economic Development Project and the Stapleton International Airport.

Greta is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. She has earned numerous awards from (PRSA), National Association of Installation Developers, and the American Marketing Association (AMA), including the Grand Peak Award from the Colorado Chapter of the AMA.

Education

Greta earned a Master of Journalism from La. State University and a B.A. in Journalism from La. State University.

Bio

Cindy Cragg is a Teaching Associate Professor at the University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies. She brings extensive experience in marketing strategy, data analytics, and campaign management to her teaching.

Professional Background

Cindy has held leadership roles in higher education and the MarCom industry, managing graduate-level academic programs, developing and evaluating integrated marketing campaigns, and serving as a national spokesperson for a major nonprofit organization. These experiences provide a strong foundation in strategic communication, public engagement, and applied learning. At DU, Cindy teaches graduate courses including Making Decisions with Data, Storytelling with Data, Communication Inquiry, Analysis, and Trends, and Portfolio Capstone. She designs curriculum that emphasize reflection and integrative learning, helping students connect academic work to professional goals.

Education

Cindy earned a B.A. in Interpersonal and Public Communication from Northern Illinois University, an MPS in Organizational and Professional Communication from the University of Denver and an Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Denver.

Teaching Philosophy

Cindy’s teaching approach blends industry expertise with practical application, preparing students to navigate complex communication challenges and make data-informed decisions. She also presents nationally on topics related to faculty development, organizational leadership in higher education, and the intersection of data, pedagogy, and reflective practice.

Bio

Melissa currently serves as an instructional designer/ course developer at MSU Denver working with subject matter experts to build quality courses across all disciplines. Prior to returning to higher education, she working in the corporate arena with Hensel Phelps Construction Company to build trainings across all departments and industry skill areas. Melissa uses her array of experience in higher education and corporate to include teaching, training, instructional design, accessibility, program development, and much more.

Education

Melissa earned a Ph.D. in Education, Instructional Design from Capella University; an MA in Teaching and Learning with Technology from Ashford University and a BA Literature and Writing from California State University, San Marcos.

Professional Background

For the last 20 years, she has lived coast to coast while teaching, training, and learning. As a first-generation graduate, she is passionate about education and providing support to faculty and students. Her research focuses on Institutional support of faculty creating online courses that provide equitable experiences for students.

Bio

Bernadine (Bernie) Fischer is a strategic marketing and communications leader with more than 25 years of corporate and academic experience across media, advertising tech, publishing, telecommunications, and higher education. She serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies and previously taught at the Daniels College of Business, Regis University, and Southern New Hampshire University. She teaches marketing, communications, content development, and business strategy, emphasizing applied learning and responsible AI integration.

Professional Experience

Bernadine brings expertise in marketing strategy, branding, data-driven decision-making, instructional design, and organizational communication. A technically astute marketer and educator, she integrates traditional and digital marketing, AI implementation, competitive analysis, public relations, UX design, and content strategy to drive measurable outcomes.

Her executive leadership roles include Corporate Director of Sales and Business Development at Time Warner Cable, Director of Marketing at Comcast Spotlight, Director of Affiliate Marketing at Turner Broadcasting, Vice President of Marketing and Communication at MediaNews Group, Director of Sales Support at Gannett, and Director of Digital Marketing at Outdoor Channel / World Fishing Network. She has led strategic implementation of information management systems, learning management platforms, and adaptive learning technologies to support forward focused decision-making.

Education

Bernadine holds an Associate of Arts in Business from the University of Findlay, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Regis University, and a Master of Professional Studies from the University of Denver.

Teaching Philosophy

Bernadine views teaching as a privilege grounded in respect, rigor, and relevance. She provides in-depth feedback, connects theory to real-world applications, and promotes lifelong learning to help students achieve academic and professional goals.

Bio

Ashley Forest worked in news/television for almost ten years. After leaving television news in 2020, she became the Deputy Communications Director for the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. In January 2022, she moved to Aurora, Colorado, and started working as the Communications and Community Coordinator for one of the first magnet schools within the Aurora Public School District.

Today, Ashley is the Public Information Officer at the Denver International Airport and serves on the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) committee. And is also a Communications Consultant, Professional Development Trainer, and facilitator in Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (CDEI).

Bio

Lauren Hooten is a leader in education administration with more than fifteen years of experience in communications, public relations, organizational leadership, project management, and strategic planning. She has extensive experience in public engagement, brand and reputation management, and crisis response communication in the nonprofit and government sectors. In addition to teaching at DU, Lauren serves as the Chief of Staff for the Poudre School District (PSD) in northern Colorado. Prior to joining PSD, she worked in education administration at Colorado State University and as a project manager for The Pew Charitable Trusts.​

Lauren also holds undergraduate degrees in Art and Archaeology, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies from Princeton University, an M.A. in Communication Management from DU, and a Ph.D. in Art and Art History from University of Colorado, Boulder.

Bio

Rich Khleif brings 30 years of diverse global business leadership, combined with 26 years of teaching and scholarship, to leverage theory toward practice in the classroom. With time in the public sector, at small-to-medium businesses, and in the Fortune 100 space, he has held various senior and general management positions across sales and services, marketing and communication, data analytics and operations, customer success, support delivery, L&D, and other areas.

Khleif speaks domestically and internationally about communication topics; has designed and taught a broad range of multidisciplinary university courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels; holds several technical certifications; and has been the recipient of various industry and academic awards. A deep believer in applied public intellectualism, Khleif’s research interests include cross-cultural organizational communication; social impacts of technology; and topics at the interstices of ideology, narrative formation, and praxis within social systems.

Education

Rich holds a BA in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire; an MA in Integrated Marketing Communication from the University of Colorado Boulder; and a PhD in Mass Communication/Media Studies, also from CU Boulder.

Bio

Michelle Kruse-Crocker is Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies. Her expertise is in online education, faculty development, adult learning theory, curriculum development, and higher education administration. She uses her experience from exercise science and health behavior change coaching in the classroom to bring out the best in her students’ work. Michelle has over 20 years of teaching experience and understands that every student is unique and can be successful with the right support, feedback, and motivation.

����ܳ����پ��Dz���

Michelle holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in adult learning from the University of Denver, an M.S. in Exercise Science, and a B.S. in Health Promotion.