ABOUT ME
Dr. Pat Sanders is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of North Alabama. An award-winning and inspiring educator, her 25 years in higher education have allowed her to teach and mentor hundreds of journalism and digital media students, teaching and mentoring them in career-building communication, research, writing, media management, DEI and Cultural Competency knowledge and production skills.
Dr. Sanders is also the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering at her university. Through this position, she leads college specific, campus-level DEI initiatives and is a liaison to the VP for DEI. She was chosen based on her proven track record of successfully working with underrepresented populations, communication expertise, and previous leadership positions. Previously, she served as an Administrative Fellow for the Executive Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and on the Executive Board of the Faculty Senate.
Her award-winning podcast “This Prof Life: Women of Color in Higher Education,”podcast focuses on the personal stories and experiences of women of color who work in the academy. Dr. Sanders has a professional interest in mentoring and coaching women to be empowered in their professional roles and see growth in their personal lives.
Dr. Sanders has won numerous awards from campus, community, and national organizations, including a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, an Alabama Associated Press Award, Advisor of the Year from the National Broadcasting Society, an Excellence in Teaching Award from the National Honor Society for Leadership, a state media award from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence. At UNA, she has been given the Outstanding Service Award and Faculty Alumni Award. She serves as the District 2 Representative for the Broadcast Education Association national organization, covering seven states.
Before joining academia, she worked in broadcast media, primarily as a news director and journalist in the commercial and public sectors of radio.
I love meeting
people from diverse
backgrounds...
My involvement and service on numerous campus committees and community boards fulfills my service and volunteerism bug. My election to the District 2 Representative on the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) National Board allows me to serve seven states. Within that organization, I also serve on the Multicultural and Religion and Media Division Boards. Other scholarly work includes membership in the Southern States Communication Association (SSCA). On a state level, as a graduate of Leadership Alabama Class XIV, I experienced the opportunity to drill down into work with an elite group of leaders from across my home state.
What are my research interests? They center around the use of audio, social and digital media for storytelling by marginalized communities. In addition, my research agenda has evolved to include cultural and social diversity issues and in the workplace, in particular in higher education. This has led to presented and published work on the topic.
My personal interests include spending quality time with my husband and two adult children, experiencing new foods and travel. I love meeting people from diverse backgrounds, reading, writing, listening to a good podcast and my church. Dogs, well, they are my favorite pet. I start each day by completing a morning devotion and savoring a good, strong cup of coffee!
“The Only Way To Do Great Work Is To Love What You Do. If You Haven’t Found It Yet, Keep Looking. Don’t Settle.”
– Steve Jobs