Dawn M. Armfield, Department of Technical Communication

Hometown

• Flagstaff, Arizona

Schools

• Coconino Community College (AA – English)
• Northern Arizona University (BA – English with a minor in Geology, MA – English with a focus in Literacy, Technology, and Professional Communication)
• University of Minnesota (PhD – Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication)

Things we can talk about

Things we can talk about: Whatever is on your mind. With my classes I talk about apples (where can I get the best ones, which variety is awesome this year?), gaming, extended realities, and dealing with social anxieties. We talk about life – how's it going, what’s causing you to stress this week? I also talk about being the first in a family of first gen students and how difficult it can be to navigate a system that doesn’t make sense.

How we can meet

Zoom sessions for now, email, social media. Maybe in the future, meetups.

Why I want to be a Maverick Firsts Advocate

I have been a strong advocate for first gen students during my entire career. It is a topic I bring up in all of my classes because I want students to know that they are not alone. Navigating a system like those found in universities can be confusing and overwhelming. I want students to know that they have an ally in that navigation.

Things I’m connected with that might be of interest to you

In 2017 I wrote a book chapter with my collaborator, who also happens to be my brother, about being working class students in higher education and how dealing with the different barriers class can create can cause some strife and confusion. We connected each step of our progress with working class rock music to show how music and education often mirror one another in their themes.

The first time I traveled outside of the US, aside from Tijuana and Vancouver, was when I was in my doctoral program, when I was in my 40s, and went to Sweden for a conference. It was my first time having to deal with all of the issues that go along with international travel and was a bit scary. Now I can’t wait to go on my next international trip.

I walk between 7-13 miles a day and am walking in two half marathons over the next year. While I’m out walking, I’m usually taking photos. I have been posting one photo a day to social media for over 1400 days. I’m working on creating travel TikToks.