Nick Pertler, Ph.D.

Assistant Provost for Academic Studies

Dr. Nick Pertler is Assistant Provost for Academic Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University, where he has the privilege of serving faculty and academic leaders developing and supporting high-quality academic programs. After earning a B.A. in Communication from California State University, San Marcos and M.A. in Speech Communication from California State University, Fullerton, Dr. Pertler moved to Pittsburgh, PA and completed a Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Duquesne University. He has well over a decade of higher education leadership and administrative experience, and previously served on the faculties of Duquesne University, Baker College and MiraCosta College, teaching a wide range of communication courses. 

Additionally, Dr. Pertler directs and teaches in the Strategic Communication B.A. program at PLNU. His research agenda focuses on C. S. Lewis, philosophy of education, the premodern rhetorical tradition, and media ecology. He is a published author, has presented his work at regional and national conferences, and is currently working on moving a manuscript into publication with an academic press. Dr. Pertler and his wife Alison have five children.

Education

  • Ph.D., Rhetoric, Duquesne University
  • M.A., Speech Communication, California State University, Fullerton
  • B.A., Communication, California State University, San Marcos

Courses Taught

  • COM 1000: Principles of Human Communication
  • CMT 2000: Media & Society
  • CMT 2020: Small Group Communication
  • SCL 3002: Group & Organizational Behavior

Awards and Honors

  • $1,487,750.00: Behavioral Health Program Social Work Education Capacity Expansion (SWECE) Grant Program Award.
  • Top Paper Award, Media Ecology Division, 2013 Eastern Communication Association Convention.

Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications

  • “Practicing Temperance as a Corrective to Mediated Existence.” Habits of the High Tech Heart, by Quentin Schultze, Integratio Press, 2024. (forthcoming)
  • “Strategic Leadership for Christian Higher Education Administrators: Building New Programs” [workshop; roundtable discussant]. Christianity & Communication Studies Network. 24 June 2024.
  • “Review of C. S. Lewis and the Craft of Communication, by Steven Beebe.” Journal of Christian Teaching Practice, vol. 10, October 2023. https://www.theccsn.com/book-review-c-s-lewis-and-the-craft-of-communication/.
  • “A Branch of the Humanities: Exploring Neil Postman’s Ideas of Media Education.” Media Ecology Association Convention. Fordham University – Lincoln Center Campus. New York City, NY. 22-25 June 2023.
  • “The Craft of Higher Education Administration: An Exploration.” Christian Adult Higher Education Association (CAHEA). Grapevine, TX. 14-17June 2021.
  • “Deliberate Commitments: Laying a Philosophical Foundation for Faculty Development.” Christian Adult Higher Education Association (CAHEA). Colorado Springs, CO. 12 June 2019.
  • “Rhetorical Innovation in the Technical Communication Course: Thinking and Teaching Beyond Technique and Method.” Western States Communication Association Convention. San Diego, CA. 27-29 February 2016.
  • “Practical Reason and the Media Ecology Tradition” Media Ecology Association Convention. Metropolitan State University of Denver. Denver, CO. 11-14 June 2015.
  • “C. S. Lewis and the Premodern Rhetorical Tradition: The Abolition of Man as Rhetoric and Philosophy of Education.” Diss. Duquesne University, 2014. Web.
  • “The Virtues and the Profession of Nursing.” Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Induction. Azusa Pacific University. San Diego Regional Center, San Diego, CA. 9 April 2014. Keynote Address.
  • “The Media Ecology of C. S. Lewis.” Eastern Communication Association Convention. Pittsburgh, PA. 25 April 2013. (top paper award)