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 students share early morning walks with elementary school children, (b) an internships class for Sociology and Criminology students, (c) the Solidarity and Social Justice 499 Praxis course, and (d) accompanying students 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 students 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 students 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.
