Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Technical Communication
Dissertation: Digitization of the Life-World.
Advisor: Dr. Michael Bowler. Committee: Dr. Stefka Hristova, Dr. Robert Johnson, and Charles Wallace.
Curriculum Vitae
Below, find a curated academic and professional record across my education, academic appointments, teaching, curricular development, service, and public-facing creative work.
Current Role
Tom Adolphs
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Social Media Design Management
School of Art and Design, Northern Michigan University
tadolphs@nmu.eduEducation
Graduate and undergraduate study
M.A. in Rhetoric and Technical Communication
Thesis: The Work of Photography: Exploring the Ability of Photography to Disclose "The World."
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Summa Cum Laude
Undergraduate study in art and design.
Appointments
Academic roles and teaching contexts
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Social Media Design Management
Assistant Teaching Professor of Graphic Design and Digital Media
Visiting Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
Photography Adjunct
Graphic Design Adjunct
Communications Adjunct and Adviser
Graduate Teaching Instructor in Humanities
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Popular Culture
Teaching
Courses taught and current teaching focus
Current NMU teaching
Graphic design foundations, typography and layout, interactive design and user experience, branding and social media, and internship supervision.
AI-focused teaching development
AD 108 Artificial Intelligence and Visual Art is planned for Fall 2026 as an AI-focused lecture course at Northern Michigan University.
Selected courses taught
- AD 118 / ARTD 218 Graphic Design Foundations
- AD 218 / AD 318A Typography and Layout
- AD 418A / AD 418 Interactive Design and User Experience
- AD 418B / AD 488 Branding and Social Media
- AD 303 Individual Art Review [Mentor]
- AD 499 Senior Capstone Project [Mentor]
- AD 108 Artificial Intelligence and Visual Art, in development for Fall 2026
- HU 2633 Digital Imaging
- HU 2642 Digital Media
- HU 2645 Graphic Design
- HU 2632 Digital Photography
- UN 2001 Composition and Revisions
- HU 3860 Popular Culture
Curriculum
Program development, advising, and recruitment
Curriculum and program development
- Collaborated with my graphic design colleague to revise the Graphic Design curriculum, finalize key program decisions in Winter 2025, and implement the revised curriculum in Fall 2025.
- Led course redesign and transition work connected to AD 118 to ARTD 218, AD 218 to AD 318A, AD 418A to AD 418, and AD 418B to AD 488.
- Oversaw Social Media Design Management and worked with the Business School on program review and revision.
- Developed AD 108 Artificial Intelligence and Visual Art, planned for Fall 2026.
Advising, mentoring, and recruitment
- Faculty mentor for AD 303 Individual Art Review and AD 499 students, 2024 - Present.
- Conducted campus visit tours and participated in Wildcat Weekend recruitment events, 2023 - 2025.
- Participated in Major for a Day, 2025.
- Produced individualized tutorial videos and one-on-one advising support related to internships, employment, and design projects.
- Oversee CMD+C, the student design organization, and mentor student leaders in programming, professional practice, and trip planning.
Service
Institutional service and public engagement
Recent institutional service
- Co-Lead, Faculty Learning Committee, Teaching and Learning Center, Northern Michigan University, 2025 - Present.
- At-Large Member, Executive Committee, School of Art and Design, Northern Michigan University, 2025.
- Faculty Advisor, AIGA Club / CMD+C, Northern Michigan University, 2024 - Present.
- Member, Educational Technology Resources and Policy Committee, Northern Michigan University, 2023 - 2024.
- Member, Northern Michigan AI Literacy Initiative, Winter 2025.
- Member, IT Specialist Staff Search Committee, Northern Michigan University, 2025.
- Organizer, Hamilton Type Museum professional development trip with AIGA / CMD+C, 2025.
Earlier leadership and administration
- Chair, Humanities Media Student Showcase, Michigan Technological University, Spring 2023.
- Independent Design Consultant, Michigan Technological University, 2021 - 2023.
- Member, Media Committee, Michigan Technological University, 2021 - 2023.
- Chair and Mac Lab Coordinator, Finlandia University, 2016 - 2020.
- Member, Career and Technical Education Center, Finlandia University and Copper Country ISD, 2018 - 2020.
- Member, Curriculum Committee, Finlandia University, 2020.
- Member, Assessment Committee, Finlandia University, 2016 - 2019.
- Chair, Advising Committee, Finlandia University, 2016 - 2019.
- Member, Faculty Council Committee, Finlandia University, 2016 - 2019.
- Designer and Co-Coordinator, Biannual International Meeting of the North American Society for Exile Studies, Michigan Technological University, 2015.
- Coordinator, Establishing Digital Humanities Conference, Michigan Technological University, 2015.
- Director, Humanities Graduate Student Colloquium, Michigan Technological University, 2013.
- Humanities Graduate Coordinator, Michigan Technological University, 2011 - 2012.
Community and public engagement
- Member, Marquette Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee, July 2024 - April 2026.
- Vice Chair, Marquette Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee, April 2025 - April 2026.
- Chair, Annual Marquette Art Awards Committee, 2025 - 2026.
- Judge, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, 2024 and 2025.
- Judge, County Fair Art Awards, 2025.
Awards
Teaching recognition and certifications Teaching recognition and certifications
Awards and recognition
- Finalist for the 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award, Michigan Technological University, Spring 2023.
- Member of the Michigan Tech Academy of Teaching Excellence, Michigan Technological University, Spring 2023.
- Top 10% Instructor Evaluations, Michigan Technological University, Fall 2021.
- ETOM Online Teaching Certification Course, Michigan Technological University, Summer 2020.
- CSA Outstanding Teachers, Michigan Technological University, 2013 - 2015.
- Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, Michigan Technological University, 2014 and 2011.
- CSA Faculty with Excellent Teaching Evaluations, Michigan Technological University, May 2014.
- Recognition of Professional Contribution to UN 2001, Michigan Technological University, 2012.
- Invited Presenter to 2011 Composition Orientation, Michigan Technological University, 2011.
Participation
Presentations and professional development Presentations and professional development
Digital Communication and Creation Across Disciplines
Empowering Student Learning Through Hybridization
Digital Media's Significance on the Perception of LGBTQ Persons
Solidarity of the Life-World: Facebook and the Image that United the LGBTQ Marriage Equality Movement
Understanding Buzzfeed.com: Exploring the Practical and Theoretical Implications of Digital News
Brews, Bros, and Ballgames: Selling American Masculinity
Professional memberships and development
- Educator Member-at-Large, AIGA / Professional Association for Design.
- Revolve CC Conference, Marquette, Michigan, 2023 and 2024.
- Adobe MAX Creative Conference, online, 2020.
- Adobe EdMax, San Jose, California, Fall 2025.
- CiderCon, product marketing and digital advertisement, Chicago, Illinois, 2017.
Creative Work
Exhibitions, publications, and design practice
Northern Michigan Bi-Annual Art Show / NMU Faculty Biennial
Poster and design work for Revolve CC Conference
Fragmentation of Self
The Daily Motions of Quarantine
In-Between
Evolution of Gitche Gumee Ciderworks Brand and Style Guide
"The next statement is true. The previous statement is false."
Upper Michigan Landscapes
"Minefield"
The God of Consumption
President's House Art Exhibit
Professional