Pronouns: She/Her

Degrees: 

• M.F.A. in Radio-Television-Film, 1993, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
• B.A. in Human Communication, 1985, Rutgers College, New Brunswick, NJ

Biography:
Professor Perlson has over 25 years of experience making and teaching media. She began her career creating activist and experimental video in Philadelphia, where she co-founded Termite TV, one of the longest running video collectives in the country. Her solo and group work has been broadcast on PBS and screened nationally at museums, media arts centers and film festivals, including the Museum of Modern Art, the New Museum, and Atlanta Film Festival. In recent years, Professor Perlson has crafted communication strategy and media for arts and non-profit clients including the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Lesley University. She previously served as a program director at Newbury College and an associate professor at California State University San Bernardino.

Courses:

• Com 101 Understanding Mass Media

What is important for your students to take away from your classes?

It's important that my students recognize why course material is relevant beyond the classroom. I want them to understand how their learning connects to current communication practices and supports their career aspirations. In my classes, I encourage students to move beyond their roles as media consumers to think like media professionals. Whether developing campaign ideas for a client, creating original media for a target audience, analyzing the impact of a media trend or presenting work to external reviewers, each time they integrate classwork with real world problems, they are honing skills that will enable them to be successful professionals and citizens.    

How does your professional background influence your time in the classroom with students?  

One thing I know from my career is that the media industry constantly evolves. Positions and technology exist today that no one envisioned even ten years ago. So, in addition to teaching students the material in a particular course, I also need to prepare them to be lifelong learners who can confidently deal with new information, environments and technology. I strive to give them opportunities to reflect on their own learning processes, and practice problem solving skills they can apply to any situation. This will enable them to thrive during the inevitable changes they will experience over their careers.