Curriculum Vitae
Education
Ph.D. in Education Studies and Cultural Studies, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, N.C. (Kappa Delta Pi Honors). Dissertation: Social Justice and Higher Education in the Age of Neoliberalism. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. H. Svi Shapiro (2018).
M.A. in Communication Studies, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, N.C. (Lambda Pi Eta Honors). Capstone/Thesis Project: The Synergy of Self, Voice, Work, and the World. Capstone Director: Dr. David Carlone. (2013).
B.A. in Psychology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C. (1990).
Areas of Interest
Philosophy of Education, Critical Social Theory, Critical Pedagogy, Cultural Foundations, Cultural Studies, Media Studies, Critique of White Power and White Nationalism, Workplace Democracy, Higher Education, University Instruction, Public Speaking, Oratory, Formal Argument, Mass Communication, Business Communication, Public Relations, Professional Sales, Sales Management, and Executive Leadership.
Academic Appointments
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, N.C.
Fulltime Faculty, Department of Communication Studies (January 2020 – Present). Adjunct Faculty (Full Course Load), Department of Communication Studies (January 2014 – December 2019). GA-Researcher/Instructor Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations (January 2014 - May 2017). TA-Instructor Department of Communication Studies (August 2012 - May 2013).
Elon University, Elon, N.C.
Adjunct Faculty, School of Communications (February 2019 - May 2019).
Academic Teaching
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
CST 105 – Introduction to Communication Studies. This course covers interpersonal and group communication. It also prioritizes public speaking and debate with an emphasis on persuasion in civic and corporate contexts.
CST 207 – Relational Communication. This course covers contemporary theory and practice of relational communication, with emphasis on increasing awareness of strategic and ethical uses of communication to build relationships.
CST 300 – Communication Theory. This course covers critical analysis and evaluation of scientific, rhetorical, and critical theories of communication. Emphasis on how theory assists us to understand, predict, and transform society.
CST 308 – Organizational Communication. This course Examines contemporary organizational communication theory and practices as they enable organizations to function, change, learn, and create/recreate identities.
CST 341 - Communication and Workplace Relationships. This course is situated in organizational communication and discusses how communication operates both horizontally and vertically within institutions and organizations of work with a focus on both corporate and non-profit environments.
CST 342 - Communication and Public Relations. This course prepares students for effective and ethical communication on behalf of profit and not-for-profit organizations facing Public Relations needs and concerns. It provides a broad understanding of the Public Relations field and introduces students to a wide range of Public Relations vocational pathways. It involves the creation of a research-based, values-driven, public relations plan and campaign designed to meet organizational communication objectives.
ELC 381 – Cultural Foundations of Education. This course prioritizes defining and applying social justice concerns broadly in society and specifically in education and schooling by analyzing and interrogating the institution of education through the lenses of historiography, sociology, and philosophy.
ELC 688 - District Leadership for Educational Change. Co-Instructor with Dr. Ann Davis. This is an M.A. and Ph.D. level course that prioritizes unpacking the hallmarks of effective leadership in the context of education and schooling with reference to social justice concerns.
Elon University
COM 100 - Communication in a Global Age. This course is an introduction to general principles of communication.
COM 252 - Public Relations and Civic Responsibility. This course emphasizes theories, strategies, and techniques in organization environments (corporate, not-for-profit, associations, agencies, government) and studies historical roots, formation of public opinion, crisis management, marketing, and the ethical requirements to be a responsible corporate citizen.
COM 262 - Interpersonal Communications. This course emphasizes how interpersonal relationships can be enhanced through the acquisition and development of communication skills. Topics include self-concept, perception, listening skills, and conflict resolution.
Scholarship
Books
Shenvi, N. & Sawyer, P. (2023). Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology - Implications for the Church and Society. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.
Scarbrough, J. E. & Sawyer, P. (2023). Disney as Doorway to Apologetic Dialogue. Houston, TX: Houston Christian University: Moral Apologetics Press and High Bridge Books. Part one of the duology, Disney and Apologetics: Exploring the Moral Power and Theological Significance of Disney Stories. Houston TX: Houston Christian University: Moral Apologetics Press and High Bridge Books.
Peer-reviewed and Refereed Journal Articles
Sawyer, P. (2020). Fatal attraction: A critical analysis of the toxic love affair of the university and neoliberalism. Philosophy, Theory, and Foundations in Education, 2(1), 19-27.
Shenvi, N. A. & Sawyer, P. (2020). Critical theory and the social justice movement. Journal of Christian Legal Thought, 10(1), 10-13.
Sawyer, P. & Shenvi, N. A. (2019). Gender, intersectionality, and critical theory. Eikon: A Journal for Biblical Anthropology, 1(2), 75-81.
Sawyer, P. (2016). The nexus of intellectual emancipation and politics and the implications for teaching and schooling: A consideration of two important works of Jacques Ranciere. South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society Annual Publication: Experiencing School, 1(7), 99-113.
Sawyer, P. (2014). What is education for? One hope, four goals. South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society Annual Publication: Revitalizing Education, 1(3), 27-40.
Academic Book Chapters
Cruz, G. & Sawyer, P. (2021). A safe space for the white race: An interrogation of white nationalist propaganda on college campuses. In S. Jovanovic (Ed.), Expression in contested public spaces: Free speech and civic engagement. (pp. 243-262). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Academic Conference Presentations
Sawyer P. (2023). Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: Freedom, Culture, Education, and Life Reimagined. Wakanda: Window into the Harlem Renaissance. Panel presentation at the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention. National Harbor, MD.
Sawyer P. (2023). From Volleyballs to AI: Implications for Human to Human Relationships. Panel presentation at the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA) conference. University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Greensboro, NC.
Sawyer P. (2022). White nationalist iconography: Analysis, critique, and challenge. Chapter Presentation. Expression in contested public spaces: Free speech and civic engagement. 2022 Scholarship Book Series. University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Greensboro, NC.
Sawyer P. (2022). An Overview of Critical Race Theory and Cautions for the Church. Scholar Series: Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.
Sawyer P. (2021). Cultivating resilient communities: UNCG communication studies students create public relations content to support the Greensboro Public Library. Panel presentation at the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA) conference 2021. Mars Hill University, Mars Hill, NC.
Sawyer P. (2021). A philosophical and epistemological foundation for social justice pedagogy via the work of Hannah Arendt, Emmanuel Levinas, and Pierre Bourdieu. Paper presented to The European Conference on Education (ECE) 2021, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Cruz, G. & Sawyer, P. (2021). Harboring hope: Free speech in public places. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association (SSCA) Conference 2021. Virtual.
Sawyer, P. (2020). The university and neoliberalism: Cooptation, commodification, and compromise. Paper presented to Southeast Philosophy of Education Society (SEPES) Conference 2020, Athens, GA.
Sawyer, P. (2019). Fatal Attraction: The toxic love affair of the University and Neoliberalism. Paper presented to the South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society (SAPES) Conference 2019, High Point, NC.
Cruz, G. & Sawyer, P. (2019). A safe space for the white race: An interrogation of white nationalist propaganda on college campuses. Paper presented at the Free Speech Conference: Finding Expression in Contested Public Spaces 2019. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Sawyer, P. (2019). Higher Education and neoliberalism: Co-optation, resistance, and the contested space of our colleges and universities. Paper presented at the International Journal of Arts and Sciences (IJAS) Conference 2019. McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Sawyer, P. (2018). "So this is what it feels like": A Close reading of Marvel's Logan and the power of fidelity and intimacy in the formation of identity. Paper presented at the International Journal of Arts and Sciences (IJAS) Conference 2018. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Sawyer, P. (2018). Superpowers: Fidelity, nurture, and intimacy in the formation of Wolverine's identity. Paper invited to the Popular Cultural Association (PCA) National Conference 2018, Film Division, Indianapolis, IN.
Sawyer, P. (2017). Adamantium immigrants: Close readings of Marvel's film, Logan: Immigration, identity, and the valorization of white positionality. Panel presentation at the National Communication Association (NCA) Conference 2017: Our Legacy, Our Relevance, Critical Cultural Division, Dallas, TX.
Sawyer, P. (2017). The power of dialogue: Conversations across difference as a catalyst for social action. Paper presented at the South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society (SAPES) Conference 2017, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Sawyer, P. (2016). From theory to praxis: Transformation through dialogue. Paper presented to the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA) Conference 2016: Praxis in the Port City, Wilmington, NC.
Sawyer, P. & Hollingsworth, S.E. (2016). The inherited foundations of Fear the Walking Dead: The continuing themes of the zombie narrative. Paper presented at the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Conference 2016: Foundation, Grand Rapids, MI.
Sawyer, P. (2016). Eschewing psychological emancipation: A Rancierian understanding of the child as a de facto political being as seen in an oratory and public speaking class of 6th grade students of color in a low-income urban charter school. Paper presented at the Southeast Philosophy of Education Society (SEPES) and the South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society (SAPES) Joint Conference 2016, Asheville, NC.
Sawyer, P. (2016). The nexus of intellectual emancipation and politics: A consideration of two important works of Jacques Ranciere. Paper presented at the Southeast Philosophy of Education Society (SEPES) and the South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society (SAPES) Joint Conference 2016, Asheville, NC.
Sawyer, P. (2015). Still breathing: The complex legacy of Tupac Shakur. Paper invited to the Conference on African American Culture and Experience (CACE) 2015: African American and African Diaspora Studies: Then and Now, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Sawyer, P. (2014). What is education for? One hope, four goals. Paper presented at the South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society (SAPES) Conference 2014: Revitalizing Education: The Creative Task Before Us, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Asheville, NC.
Sawyer, P. (2014). ESOPs next level: Hallmarks of corporate governance and conduct when worker-owners are authentically prioritized. Keynote Presentation at the Carolinas 7th Annual ESOPs U, Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, NC. (Note: There were two Keynote Speakers at the conference, myself and U.S. Senator Richard Burr).
Sawyer, P. (2014). Workplace democracy in the trenches: Key concerns of new worker-owners. Paper presented at the Ohio Employee Ownership Conference 2014: A Wealth of Opportunity: Employee Ownership Fuels Growth, Kent State University, Akron, OH.
Sawyer, P. (2014). Critical pedagogy: A struggle and hope for democracy. Paper presented at the Southeastern Association of Educational Studies (SEAES) Conference 2014: Cultivating Hope: Reimagining Educational Activism Through Community and Coalition Building, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Sawyer, P. (2013). Enhancing communication and civility in the basic course: Instructor insights. Panel presentation at the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA) Conference 2013: Communication and Civility in Traditional and Technological Contexts, Charlotte, NC.
Hollingsworth, S.E. & Sawyer, P. (2013). Dead (hegemonic) man walking: Representations of masculinity & femininity as seen in The Walking Dead. Paper presented at the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA) Conference 2013: Communication and Civility inTraditional and Technological Contexts, Charlotte, NC.
Sawyer, P., Hollingsworth, S.E., & Cruz, G. (2013). Policing the police: In the face of immigrant oppression, a community pushes back. Paper invited to the Southeastern Women’s Studies Association (SEWSA) Conference 2013: Outrage!: Discourses, Practices, and Politics of Protest and Social Transformation, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Selected Other Publications
Sawyer, P. & Shenvi, N. A. (2022). Is racial dialogue possible? [Review of the book Beyond Racial Division: A Unifying Alternative to Colorblindness and Antiracism, by George Yancey]. American Reformer. https://americanreformer.org/2022/08/is-racial-dialogue-possible/
Shenvi, N. A. & Sawyer, P. (2021). Facing woke religion, the gospel is still good news. The American Conservative. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/facing-woke-religion-the-gospel-is-still-good-news/
Sawyer, P. (2021). Further cautions for the church regarding CRT. Christianity Today: The Exchange. https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2021/march/pat-sawyer-cautions-regarding-crt-ii.html
Sawyer, P. (2021). Cautions for the church regarding CRT. Christianity Today: The Exchange. https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2021/march/pat-sawyer-cautions-regarding-crt.html
Sawyer, P. (2021). Critical race theory: What is it and should we be concerned? Christianity Today: The Exchange. https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2021/march/pat-sawyer-what-is-crt-and-should-we-be-concerned.html
Shenvi, N. A. & Sawyer, P. (2019). Engaging critical theory and the social justice movement. (Primer-Booklet). Ratio Christi.
Shenvi, N. A. & Sawyer, P. (2019). The incompatibility of critical theory and Christianity. The Gospel Coalition.
Shenvi, N. A. & Sawyer, P. (2019). Understanding critical theory and Christian apologetics. Ratio Christi.
Academic Honors
Helena G. Houston Scholar award, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Member of Lambda Pi Eta, Communication Studies Honor Society of the National Communication Association (NCA).
Member of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education
Journal Editorial Board Membership
Philosophy, Theory, and Foundations in Education (2019 – Present)
South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society (SAPES) Journal (2016 – 17)
Funded Research Participation
21st Century Leadership Development with Instructional Technology Certification Grant, 2013-2014, Authored the Program Evaluation Summary Report. Funding provided by the Golden Leaf Foundation: $200,000.
Discourse of Participatory Budgeting Organizing Efforts in Greensboro, North Carolina, 2012, Assisted with the research on Participatory Budgeting. Funding provided by the Waterhouse Family Institute for the Study of Communication and Society at Villanova University: $4,493.
Other Research Collaboration
Principle Investigator, Social Justice and Higher Education. Through interviews and observations of professors from two institutions of higher education, collected and analyzed data concerning social justice pedagogy in higher education.
Research Assistant for the UNC-Greensboro Speaking Center 10 Year Self-Assessment Study. This project was a mix-methods study designed to determine how well the Speaking Center was doing in all aspects of its functions.
Academic Affiliations (Past and Present)
Member of the National Communication Association (NCA)
Member of the Association for Business Communication (ABC)
Member of the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA)
Member of the Philosophy of Education Society (PES)
Member of the South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society (SAPES)
Member of the Southeastern Philosophy of Education Society (SEPES)
Academic Service
University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 2020. Top Tier New Student Recruitment.
South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society (SAPES) Conference 2017. Panel Moderator.
Southeast Philosophy of Education Society (SEPES) and the South Atlantic Philosophy of
Education Society (SAPES) Joint Conference 2016, Asheville, NC. Volunteer Staff.
Ohio Employee Ownership Conference 2014: A Wealth of Opportunity: Employee Ownership Fuels Growth, Exit Planning/Cooperatives – Selling Your Company to a Worker-Owned Cooperative Panel Moderator, Kent State University, Akron, OH.
Southeastern Association of Educational Studies (SEAES) Conference 2014: Cultivating Hope: Reimagining Educational Activism Through Community and Coalition Building, Critical Responses to Globalization Panel Moderator, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Business Start-Up Competition 2014, Global Scholars Academy, Durham, NC. This was a competition done by the school’s 6th graders in conjunction with Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I was part of the four-member panel of judges along with NC State Senator Howard N. Lee.
West Nile Virus Science Project 2014, Culbreth Middle School, Chapel Hill, NC. I was a volunteer actor in the school’s video series for the project. The video shoot was done at a specialty food grocery store in Chapel Hill, NC where I played the role of one of two employees concerned about the virus.
Carolinas Communication Association Conference (CCA) 2013: Communication and Civility in Traditional and Technological Contexts, Charlotte, NC. Academic Committee Reviewer of undergraduate papers for the 2013 Jarrard Undergraduate Competition.
Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching 2012, Greensboro, NC. Volunteer Staff.
International Humanitarian Field Work
Fundación Comunidad Viva. Orphan Care. Bogota, Colombia
Freedom Global. Sustainable Farms / All Girls Academy. Limuru and Nairobi, Kenya
IV-SAM. Restoration - Infrastructure Construction. La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Local Service (Ongoing)
Weaver House Shelter / Greensboro Urban Ministry - Greensboro, NC.
Serve RDU - Area Public Schools Refurbishment / Summit Church - Raleigh-Durham, NC.