Laquia Louisa

LaQuia E. Louisa, M.A., is a United States Navy veteran, Communication Studies faculty member, and equity-centered educator whose work bridges classroom instruction, program leadership, and access-focused partnerships. She currently serves as full-time faculty in the Department of Communication at Lemoore College (2022–2025), where she teaches across the core communication curriculum, including Public Speaking, Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Argumentation and Debate, and Performance.

My teaching and service are grounded in a commitment to expanding educational opportunity for disproportionately impacted and justice-impacted learners. In addition to her campus-based instruction, I have taught in high school/dual-enrollment contexts and within the Rising Scholars Network, supporting learning communities connected to Avenal State Prison and Pleasant Valley State Prison. My approach emphasizes practical skill-building in persuasive speaking, critical thinking, and civic voice, while maintaining a student-centered, equity-driven learning environment.

Across the California community college system,  I have held multiple instructional appointments, including full-time faculty at Madera Community College (2021–2022) and adjunct faculty roles at Fresno City College (2022–2025),  West Hills Community College Lemoore (2021–2025);full-time faculty (2023-2025), and  adjunct faculty at West Hills College Coalinga (2021–2025). Earlier in my academic career, I served as a Graduate Teaching Associate in the Department of Communication at California State University, Fresno (2019–2021), teaching Public Speaking.

My leadership extends beyond teaching into program management and institutional service. She served as Rising Scholars 2.0 Program Manager (2022–2024), supporting program implementation and student success efforts aligned with access and equity goals. She also served as an Umoja Liaison (2021–2024) and contributed to the Social Justice & Equity Task Force Committee (2021–2025), collaborating with colleagues to identify barriers, strengthen support structures, and advance inclusive practices.

Academically, I have obtained a M.A. in Communication Studies with a concentration in organizational communication studies from California State University, Fresno (2019–2021) and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the same institution (2017–2019). She completed AA-T degrees in Communication Studies at West Hills Community College (Lemoore) and West Hills College (Coalinga) (2015–2016). She is currently pursuing an M.A. in Global Security with a concentration in Cybersecurity at Arizona State University (2025–present), reflecting a continued commitment to interdisciplinary study at the intersection of  systems, organizational communication, and contemporary public challenges.

Professional development includes a Google/Coursera Program Management Certification + Capstone (2025), a 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit (2021), and Certified Life Coach (PCC) training (2021). She has completed training in High Flex classroom instruction, pedagogical basics, OER implementation, QPR, and virtual instruction. She is active in the National Communication Association (including the African American Communication & Culture, Basic Course, Critical and Cultural Studies, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion divisions) and the Western States Communication Association (including the Social Justice and Organizational Communication divisions).

Education

• M.A., Global Security (Cybersecurity), Arizona State University, Tempe (2026–present)
• M.A., Communication Studies, California State University, Fresno (2019–2021)
• B.A., Communication Studies, California State University, Fresno (2017–2019)
• AA-T, Communication Studies, West Hills Community College, Lemoore (2015–2016)
• AA-T, Communication Studies, West Hills College, Coalinga (2015–2016)

Academic Appointments

• Lemoore College, Full-time Faculty, Department of Communication (2022–2025)Courses: Public Speaking; Group Communication; Interpersonal Communication; Argumentation & Debate; Performance
• Madera Community College, Full-time Faculty, Department of Communication (2021–2022)Courses: Public Speaking; Group Communication; Interpersonal Communication; Argumentation & Debate; Performance
• Fresno City College, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Communication (2022–2025)Context: High School/Dual Enrollment Courses: Public Speaking
• West Hills Community College, Lemoore, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Communication (2021–2025)Courses: Elements of Public Speaking; Small Group Dynamics; Performance; Interpersonal Communication; Argumentation & Debate
• West Hills College, Coalinga, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Communication (2021–2025)Context: Rising Scholars Network; High School/Dual Enrollment Sites: Avenal State Prison; Pleasant Valley State Prison Courses: Elements of Public Speaking; Small Group Dynamics
• California State University, Fresno, Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Communication (2019–2021)Courses: Public Speaking

Service

• Rising Scholars 2.0 Program Manager (2022–2024)
• Umoja Liaison (2021–2024)
• Social Justice & Equity Task Force Committee (2021–2025)
• Rising Scholars Network (2021–2025)Sites: Avenal State Prison; Pleasant Valley State Prison
• United States Navy, Veteran (1993–2004)

Licenses/Certifications

• Google/Coursera Program Management Certification (2025)
• 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit (2022)
• Certified Life Coach (PCC) (2021)

Professional Training

• High Flex Classroom Training (2022)
• Pedagogical Basics (2022)
• OER Revolution Training (2022)
• QPR Training (2020)
• Virtual Instruction Training (2020)

Professional Associations

• National Communication Association
  • African American Communication & Culture Division
  • Basic Course Division
  • Critical and Cultural Studies Division
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Division
• Western States Communication Association
  • Social Justice Division
  • Organizational Communication Division