Sue Peterson
Director of Forensics
MA (2001) - Communication Studies, Pepperdine University
BA (1998) - Speech Communication, California State University, Chico
Tehama 379
speterson@csuchico.edu
Phone: 530-898-4771
Fax: 530-898-4096
"I believe that mistakes are the foundation of learning. I try to design my classes to provide a safe, but challenging environment, where students who are willing to take risks and learn from their mistakes are rewarded.”
Brief Biography
After completing my graduate degree at Pepperdine University, I worked for a year in the Communication department at a mutual fund company. Although it was great to get experience in the corporate communication environment, I longed to get back to the academic setting. I left to work with the Urban Debate League, a national movement aimed at fostering civic discourse in underfunded high schools through speech and debate programs. After the first year of getting the grant-funded program started, I began to teach as an adjunct at CSU Fullerton while continuing with the outreach program. After the first year of adjunct teaching, I knew that I had found my professional “place” – the classroom. I obtained a full-time teaching position at CSU Fullerton and loved every minute of it. I decided to make a move back to my graduate school to replace the former Director of Debate in order to use the valuable experience I had gained through my work with the Urban Debate League on the college level. Although I enjoyed my time at Pepperdine, I have missed Northern California since moving south for graduate school. I am pleased to be back in Chico and I am looking forward to working with students in the classroom and with the Speech and Debate team.
Professional Affiliations
- Western States Communication Association (WSCA)
- National Communication Association (NCA)
- Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA)
- American Forensics Association (AFA)
Courses Frequently Taught
- CMST 132 - Small Group Communication
- CMST 255 - Argumentation and Debate
- CMST 133 - Speech and Debate Practicum
- CMST 139 A, B, C - Forensics
- CMST 339 A, B, C - Forensics
Current Interests
Fostering mentoring programs in intercollegiate speech and debate. Feminine style of communication in political and activist discourse. Empathetic communication in argumentative contexts.