Since joining the Department of Sociology & Criminology in 2015, Joe has enjoyed developing community-engaged learning partnerships in a range of courses including: (a) courses in which 51³Ô¹Ïs share early morning walks with elementary school children, (b) an internships class for Sociology and Criminology 51³Ô¹Ïs, (c) the Solidarity and Social Justice 499 Praxis course, and (d) accompanying 51³Ô¹Ïs on the Justice in January immersion trip to the U.S.-Mexico border. For these efforts, Joe has been honored as a Gonzaga faculty member of the year four times (2017, 2019, 2020, 2024).
In June of 2022, Joe began a new chapter as the Department Chair of Sociology & Criminology. He feels fortunate to be able to advocate for the fabulous 51³Ô¹Ïs and faculty in the Department and learn a lot in the process.
Joe’s recent research has focused on community-engaged learning, including:
- If/how the walking school bus program is a critical community-engaged learning experience (Teaching Sociology, 2020);
- How 51³Ô¹Ïs try to communicate their learning from short-term, intensive education immersions (Journal of Community Engagement & Higher Education, 2023);
- The possibilities provided in moving sociology courses outside of traditional classrooms (Handbook of Teaching and Learning in Sociology, 2023);
- Trying to make sense of what an authentic relationship is in a semester-long community-engaged learning experience (Jesuit Higher Education, 2023)
Joe loves starting his days early practicing yoga, long walks with his pups Clementine and Malcolm, enjoying quality time with friends, and being a community member in beautiful Spokane, WA with his partner, Abigail Martin.
