Speech

• Marie Arcidiacono Kaufman
• Speech Professor
• Office location: Math 128
• (925) 473-7833
• on sabbatical Leave 2024-25 contact Cindy McGrath for Department inquires.

Marie Arcidiacono Kaufman

What do you do when you're not busy teaching at LMC?
I enjoy Baking, Reading, Running and Barre.

What is your favorite idea in the field of Communication Studies? 
My favorite area is Interpersonal Communication, my favorite paradigm is the Narrative Paradigm and my favorite theory is Social Exchange Theory.

What is your philosophy?
"Always be a little kinder than necessary."--Author Unknown I saw it on a coffee shop wall.

How would you describe yourself?
Energetic, Tenacious, and Talkative.

What is your favorite thing about LMC students?
My favorite thing about LMC students is their hometown pride.

What is your super power? 
I have CRAZY good hearing...I can eavesdrop like no other!

If you could choose any super power, which would you choose? 
I'd love to be able to be in multiple places at one time. 

 Shiela Rodolfo, Adjunct Professor
srodolfo@losmedanos.edu

Shiela Rodolfo

What do you do when you're not busy teaching at LMC?
When I’m not busy teaching at LMC, I’m learning Korean, exploring little towns in California, perusing through art museums, and traveling.

What is your favorite idea in the field of Communication Studies?
• Communication is irreversible.
• Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Communication (Romantic Relationship).

What is your philosophy?
“The overall purpose of human communication is – or should be – reconciliation. It should ultimately serve to lower or remove the walls of misunderstanding which unduly separate us human beings, one from another” (M. Scott Peck).

How would you describe yourself?
I have a passion for learning and believe we are in a constant journey of personal growth. I find fulfillment in sharing my passion for communication and psychology with my students, friends, and family. I’m energetic, appreciate humor, empathetic, and helpful. 

What is your favorite thing about LMC students?
LMC students are curious and funny.

What is your super power? 
My current superpower is the ability to listen with empathy.

If you could choose any super power, which would you choose?
If I can have any superpower, it would be Teleportation. I love traveling to different countries and this will allow me to be in Italy, South Korea, or the Philippines in the morning and be back on time at LMC for my evening class.

 Nancy Petersen, Adjunct Professor
npetersen@losmedanos.edu

Nancy Peterson

What do you do when you're not busy teaching at LMC?
When I am not teaching, I watch my two grandkids, who keep my very busy. It is the best job ever!

What is your favorite idea in the field of Communication Studies?
I am fascinated about Intrapersonal Communication and how our thoughts affect the quality of our lives. I love learning about the psychology of the fear most people feel, when it comes to public speaking. It is so rewarding to watch students' excitement, when they find their voice!

What is your philosophy?
"We create our own reality." Carolyn Myss

How would you describe yourself?
I am passionate about teaching. I am a fun grandma. I have a ranch, where our two amazing horses live. I love exploring new places. My husband and I want to visit all the National Parks, in our motorhome, with our two rescue Chihuahuas.

What is your favorite thing about LMC students?
I love that LMC students are so kind and caring. I feel that our future is in very good hands with our students at the helm.

What is your super power? 
Having the energy to juggle school and grandma duties and to keep all the components running smoothly.

If you could choose any super power, which would you choose?
To create a kinder and more loving world!

 Dr. Lee Porscha Moore, Adjunct Professor
lmoore@losmedanos.edu

Dr. Lee Porscha Moore

What do you do when you're not busy teaching at LMC?
I am a clinical therapist for youth and children residing in Alameda County. I also love traveling and try to leave the country at least once every 3 months.

What is your favorite idea in the field of Communication Studies?
My favorite theory is critical theory

What is your philosophy?
“To communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world, and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” – Tony Robbins

How would you describe yourself?
I am a sarcastic and funny person, who seeks knowledge.

What is your favorite thing about LMC students?
Their drive and motivation to learn and participate in class even when they meet at 6:40 pm at night after a long day at work

What is your super power? 
Making time, even when it feels like all the time has been used up

If you could choose any super power, which would you choose? 
I would chose the power to heal others on a physical, emotional, and mental basis because there is so much hurt and pain in the world and folks need to heal.

 Star Steers, Assistant Professor
ssteers@losmedanos.edu

 Star Steers

What do you do when you're not busy teaching at LMC?
I love to travel, so I'm always either planning my next trip or loading my kids in the car to take off on an adventure. I also enjoy reading, writing, camping, hiking, yoga, baking, and all things theme-park related.

What is your favorite idea in the field of Communication Studies?
In my daily life I use and think about Contact Theory and Social Penetration Theory a lot. I'm fascinated by watching students get to know each other, and I'm thrilled to watch a room full of strangers become true peers and, sometimes, friends.

What is your philosophy?
Work smarter, not harder.

How would you describe yourself?
Empathetic, persistent, fun-loving, and awkward. If I were an animal, I'd be a golden retriever.

What is your favorite thing about LMC students?
I enjoy hearing about the variety of interests and life experiences our students have.

What is your super power?
The ability to return to the exact point a conversation branched in a new direction.

If you could choose any super power, which would you choose? 
I would choose to never have to sleep. (Of course, I LOVE to sleep, but I don't want to HAVE to.) I can only imagine how much time I'd have for work and play.

Thalia Bobadilla, Adjunct Professor
tbobadilla@losmedanos.edu

Thalia Bobadilla

What do you do when you're not busy teaching at LMC?
Trying to talk myself out of ordering a pizza to eat by myself, binge watching Netflix or Game of Thrones with my partner or hanging out with family and good friends.

What is your favorite idea in the field of Communication Studies?
It constantly changes, but at the moment... media literacy! It's something that's really prevalent in society today. Realizing that the media we expose ourselves to everyday is heavily influencing our beliefs, attitudes, etc. is something that more people need to be made aware of.

What is your philosophy?
You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance at doing what you love.

How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as quirky, passionate and hardworking.

What is your favorite thing about LMC students?
I love the diversity amongst the students at LMC. Each one has a different personality and they each have something special they bring to the table. They are also very engaged and motivated; they are truly people worth admiring.

What is your super power? 
Predicting what will happen at the end of a movie I've never seen before.

If you could choose any super power, which would you choose?
Teleportation: Then I could save money on gas and have more time to sleep!

Zachary Feere, Adjunct Professor
zfeere@losmedanos.edu

Zack Feere

What do you do when you're not busy teaching at LMC?
I enjoy reading, playing basketball, going to antique flea markets, collecting historical art, and struggle to dance bachata with my wife, Damaris.

What is your favorite idea in the field of Communication Studies?                                                Of the various sub-disciplines in the field, intercultural communication is probably my favorite, particularly research on historical memory and narrative.

What is your philosophy? 
“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own…”

How would you describe yourself?
Kind, disciplined, and intellectually curious.

What is your favorite thing about LMC students?
Their resilience and "can do" attitude.

What is your super power? 
The ability to force myself to do the things I sometime *don't* want to do (i.e., wake up early and go to the gym, order that salad instead of pizza, etc.)

If you could choose any super power, which would you choose? 
Teleportation--I love to travel, but it can get expensive very quickly, so I'd love the ability to go from place to place in the blink of an eye.