Richard G. Jones, Jr., (PhD University of Denver) is Associate Professor and Introductory Course Director in the School of Communication and Journalism at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. Rich holds a PhD in Human Communication Studies with a concentration in Culture and Communication from the University of Denver. He also has an MA in Speech Communication; a post-baccalaureate certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies; and a BA in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Rich is an academic, educator, consultant, engaged citizen, and community member. As an academic, his research has been published in scholarly journals and books, and he regularly presents at local, regional, and national conferences. As an educator, he has won teaching awards as a graduate teaching assistant and as a tenured faculty member. His educational philosophy is guided by the notion that the classroom is the doorway to developing critical thinking skills, which prepares students to be engaged citizens who work for the public good. As a consultant, he has worked with non-profit organizations and social service providers on various topics related to diversity and communication. Since much of his research is related to social justice and community building, Rich believes that being active in his community is an important part of modeling the behaviors about which he writes and teaches. Rich is a four-time recipient of Eastern Illinois University’s Achievement and Contribution Award that honors faculty members’ outstanding achievements and academic contributions. He was recognized three times in the "balanced" category, which considers teaching, research, and service as a whole, and one time in the service category. In his spare time, Rich enjoys playing with his dogs, restoring his Victorian home, and being an active member of the community theatre scene in East Central Illinois.