Renee Fussell
For over 24 years, Renee Fussell has been an Instructor in the Applied Communication Studies Department (formerly Speech Communication) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She earned her M.A. in Speech Communication 1991 and a B.A. in Liberal Arts in 1989 from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. After completing her graduate program, she was asked to teach by her esteemed mentor Joe Munshaw. She also taught at Southwestern Illinois College and University of Missouri St. Louis, and worked as Director of Multicultural Program at Althoff Catholic High School. Fussell utilizes a student-centered collaborative teaching model. Courses taught have included Public Speaking, Advanced Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Interracial Communication, University Experience, Freshman Seminars, and Cultures, Ideas and Values. Additionally, she has mentored and advised students for Independent Studies. She received the Teaching Recognition Award at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2009. Fussell’s research interests are in the area of retention and interracial communication. She has been involved on campus with the Organization of Minority Business Students, Student Mentoring Programs, TRIO Program, Faculty Mentoring Student Athletes program (Men’s Basketball), and Student Union for Racial Equality (SURE). She has served as Faculty Mentor in the SIUE Academic Choices and Transitions program and as Student Organization Advisor for The Blaq Poet Society. She has also been involved in the community on boards and committees of the First Christian Community Church, Prospect Park United Methodist Church, Catholic School Management,St. Henry School, Safe Group Care of Illinois, and Professional Business Leadership Council. Renee loves traveling and spending time with her husband (whom she met in a marriage class at SIUE and with whom she has been married to for 36 years), their four children (all of whom have one or more college degrees), grandchildren, (all of whom she adores and visits often), and family. She also enjoys learning outside of the classroom by attending workshops, and she likes quilting, knitting, listening to music, and practicing other creative activities.
