Vanessa Agee, ’23 MA

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Chandler, AZ

I've taught communication at a local community college since fall 2016 but had an master’s degree in leadership and bachelor’s degree in communication. Knowing I needed my master’s degree in communication, I chose to further my education by attending Arizona State University's Online Master of Arts in Communication program.

I enjoyed my classes! During COM 540, a sort of precapstone, Professor Dr. Kristin Dybvig noticed that I'd been teaching. She said I should apply for an instructor position with ASU. I thought, "That's cool!" but simply kept working on my studies. In the COM 550 capstone, Dr. Raena Quinlivan reiterated Dr. Dybvig's sentiments.

Long story short, I was hired in fall 2023! I love teaching at ASU and it means so much more to me since I graduated from ASU myself. Fall 2023 turned into spring 2024. In one of the COM 225 classes I was teaching, one of my Devils’ Advocates students invited me to the Apple Polisher dinner. I couldn't believe it! Less than a year in, I was already being recognized.

My ASU story is one I tell often and I am so thankful that I'm here. Who knows — maybe a PhD is next!