My first interaction with Dr. Marsh was during a guest lecture in my Intro to Communications class, where she introduced feminist standpoint theory. Her passion and depth of knowledge immediately resonated with me, sparking my curiosity about communication theory. After that lecture, I knew I had to take one of her classes. Being in Dr. Marsh’s class deepened my appreciation for the power of language and expression. I feel incredibly honored to interview her and gain insights into her academic journey, research, and teaching philosophies, all of which have made a lasting impression on me and many others.
Dr. Marsh, a first-generation college student, completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska, influenced by being close to family and the state’s strong football culture -let’s go, Cornhuskers, she earned a degree in journalism with majors in advertising and communication. While pursuing her master’s at the University of Alabama, she also coached the speech team, she initially planned a career in the music industry, even interning at Saddle Creek Records. However, she wasn’t ready to give up speech just yet, which led her to Bethel College, a small liberal arts school, where she fell in love with teaching. She later returned to the University of Nebraska to pursue her PhD. In the Fall of 2019, an opportunity arose at JMU, which she would interview and accept, starting in the Fall of 2020, the peak of the pandemic, during this time she was balancing full-time teaching, coaching the speech team, and completing her dissertation. She explained that while the speech team initially drew her to JMU, over time, she developed a deep appreciation for the faculty and the opportunity to teach Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS).
During our conversation, Dr. Marsh shared her interest in how people interpret the messages they consume and how these messages shape their views. This led to my favorite part—her research, which focuses on rhetoric and public culture, particularly at the intersection of race, gender, violence, and memory. She has a publication coming out in the Women’s Studies in Communication, which explores how our culture has masculinized representations of the Ku Klux Klan. I didn’t know women had the chance to be involved yet; they were heavily involved, participating in these violent acts.
The article also explores how white women have historically been viewed through lenses of virtue, innocence, and purity, distancing them from the violence they could commit. Dr. Marsh explains that this narrative persists in modern times, with women still seeking to join groups like the Proud Boys, despite the group’s misogynistic beliefs. This underscores how white women have often leveraged their whiteness, downplaying their gender when it benefits them, often at the expense of people of color.
As we wrapped up our conversation, I wanted to learn more about the speech team and after talking with Dr. Marsh, I’m convinced it was a missed opportunity for me! Students have a wide range of opportunities, from delivering informative speeches on various topics—such as emerging scientific developments—to persuasive speeches aimed at challenging the status quo, and much more. JMU recently co-hosted a conference with six other states, featuring eleven different events where students competed in various categories like persuasive and informative speeches. I would have loved to be a part of this, but you live and learn! If this sounds like something that interests you, check it out!
Dr. Marsh is dedicated to creating a space where inclusivity is a priority for everyone. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to further my education with her and wholeheartedly recommend her classes!
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