Teyah Parent, features editor

At Augsburg University, I had the privilege of interviewing Communication and Media Studies Professor Marceleen Mosher, who is known for bringing both passion and purpose into the classroom—qualities she attributes to her journey as a student.

“I’m from a small little pair of towns on the St. Croix River, Rush City, [Minn.], and Grantsburg, [Wis.],” Mosher says. She moved to Minneapolis in 1998 after graduating high school and has stayed tethered to the region ever since. 

Today, she teaches public speaking, a “performance-based” class that is often intimidating for students. But that challenge is exactly what draws her to it. “I love teaching the class because so many students dread it […] and I love creating a space that empowers students to develop the skills to really use and amplify their voices.” 

Her path to teaching began at Augsburg. “I ended up at Augsburg because of Augsburg!” While completing an associate degree, a mentor encouraged her to continue her education, and that decision proved worthy. “I took my first communication studies course… and it changed the way that I viewed the world,” she says. “At that moment I realized I wanted to make moments like these possible for other people […] and eight years later I started teaching at Augsburg too!”

When asked what keeps her motivated, her answer is easy: “well that’s an easy one—YOU ALL!” she says. “I love teaching Augsburg students because you’re all bringing such interesting experiences, perspectives and ideas to the classroom.” She also admires a shared determination among students. “You’re each here working to make something better… that desire inspires me to meet you where you’re at to walk with you to get there.”

Still, her biggest hope for students goes far beyond academics. “Hearing students advocate for people and issues in our community is incredibly rewarding! Democracy is not a spectator sport,” she says. “It requires participation, engagement and commitment to community.” She wants students to leave her classes with a sense of purpose. “My greatest hope is that students see themselves in the fabric of democracy and the power of their passion and their voice to impact the world around them.” In a time of rapid change, this message is clear to her: “Do not despair… take up their torch and march forward for a better tomorrow.”

Outside of teaching, she shared a glimpse into her personal life: “I really love cats and nature (especially water) and voting.” Much of her time now, however, is focused on finishing her dissertation on the political economy of public media, with a focus on death penalty news coverage, which she admits is “a real bummer” in topic but meaningful in impact.

Looking forward, her goals remain rooted in connection and action. “I’d like to do more work engaging students in civic engagement and community-engaged learning opportunities,” he says, along with expanding collaboration across campus. For her, teaching has always been about more than a classroom—it’s about helping students find their voice and use it.