Exterior of Greenfield Building

Jessica Gehrke

Jessica Gehrke Jessica Gehrke Communication Assistant Professor Email: jessica.gehrke@wlc.edu Phone: 414.443.8835

Jessica Gehrke

Education

  • Ph.D. Communication, College of Letters & Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, Rhetorical Leadership Concentration (in progress)
  • M.A. Communication, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
  • B.A. Communication, Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN         

Background

After working in the communication field for several years, I am excited to share my knowledge and experience with students at WLC. I believe it is important to combine practical experience with theoretical perspectives. My education and work experience has offered that opportunity, and I hope to help prepare students for their future work. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, and music and theater.

Teaching

COM 101: Introduction to Communication
COM 201: Foundations of Professional Communication
COM 309: Intercultural Communication
COM 331: Principles of Public Relations
COM 332: Practice of Public Relations
COM 350: History and Criticism of Public Address

Research Interests

I am interested in rhetorical studies, focusing on public memory. In particular, I am interested in how public memory is shaped through media and public address. 

Selected Publications

Gehrke, J. L. (2020). Using stories to recover women’s roles in technology: A review of technofeminist storiographies. The Pennsylvania Communication Annual. 

Gehrke, J. L. (2020, April). 28 reasons to commemorate black history: SNL’s treatment of Black History Month. Paper accepted at Central States Communication Association, Chicago, IL. (Convention cancelled due to COVID-19)

Moudry, J., Gehrke, J. L., Jasko, S. A., Merceron, A. M., Cline, B. J., Penya, L. S. & Tatum, N. T. (2019, November). Beyond survival: How communication programs can set themselves up to thrive. Panel presented at the Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, MD.

Gehrke, J.L. (2017, May). How we talk about education in the United States: Liberal Arts vs. Career & Technical Education. Poster presented at International Poster Session at University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy.

Gehrke, J.L. & Meyer, J. (2015, July). Attracting Manufacturing Talent. Presented at High Impact Technology Exchange Conference. Portland, OR.

White, K. & Gehrke, J.L. (2013, July). A Method for Understanding the Current Labor Supply and Demand for Key Minnesota Industries. Presented at HI-TEC High Impact Technology Exchange Workforce, Austin, TX.

Gehrke, J.L. (2009, February). Country music at war: Framing of 9/11, war, and patriotism. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Western States Communication Association, Phoenix, AZ.

Arganbright, M., Gehrke, J.L., & Ren, C. (2008, November). “40 Kids. 40 Days. 40 Nights. No Adults”: Framing and blaming in the Kid Nation controversy. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the National Communication Association, San Diego, CA.