Associate Dean, Labor Liaison
Professor, Communication
- PhD, University of Washington, Communication
- MA, University of Washington, Communication
- BA, University of San Diego, Communication Studies
Kristin Moran, PhD (University of Washington), has been teaching in the Communication department since 1999 and currently serves as the Associate Dean, Labor Liaison in the College of Arts and Sciences. She served as Associate Dean for Faculty from 2017-2025 and was appointed USD’s first Core Director in 2015. She served as Chair of the Communication department between 2011-2015. She teaches courses in Media Studies and her current research focuses on the reception of Latino-themed and Spanish-language media in the United States. She works with the Binational Association of Schools of Communication (BINACOM), an organization devoted to creating opportunities for cross border interaction for faculty and students.
Areas of Expertise
Moran’s research focuses on Spanish-language media in the United States, Mexico and Spain with special attention to the role media play in the identity development of children and adolescents.
Scholarly Work
Moran’s research focuses on the relationship audiences have with media texts emphasizing the development of Spanish-language media in the United States and its reception. Her book, Listening to Latina/o youth: Television consumption within families, critiques the tendency of mainstream media to reify and contain a Latina/o identity that is then sold back to youth in ways that limit Latino/a agency. Her research has also appeared in a variety of journals including the Journal of Children & Media and Learning, Media and Technology focusing on Latino-themed children’s television. She has published research comparing the presentation of local news in Spanish and English in Journalism: Theory, Practice, and Criticism and the Journal of Borderland Studies.
Areas of Interest
Moran teaches a variety of courses that focus on the role of mass media in society, including the introductory course, Introduction to Media Studies, as well as more specialized courses such as International Media, Children and Media, and Communication Criticism. She has also participated in interdisciplinary courses in the Honors program offering Asian Women in Popular Culture and Media and Politics in Latin America. Moran regularly teaches in the Learning Community program for first year and transfer students. She also enjoys mentoring undergraduate research through the Honor’s Program, McNair Scholars, and Independent Studies.