Don Vescio

Professional Interests

• Critical Theory

• Network and Information Theories

• Higher Education Administration and Planning

• Composition and Writing Studies

• British Romantics

• Post-1950s American Fiction and Popular Culture

• Information Design,  Emerging Techologies, Data Analytics

My research program combines an extensive background in computer and data technologies with a long scholarly interest in critical theory and information design.  More specifically, my research explores the following: the relationship between patterns of information structures and effective pedagogies; the interstices between network topologies and postmodern/narratological critical theory; information architecture, usability assessment, and design best practices; and pedagogical applications of emerging technologies in the teaching of writing and literature.  In recent years, I have begun writing about the application of critical theory in analyses of narratives associated with emerging technologies in popular culture.

Academic Biography

I grew up in a small Upstate New York town that was part of a region renowned for its manufacturing economy.  Once characterized as the town that “defied the Great Depression,” my hometown was known for its factories and mills.  But by the 1970s, signs already were present that this working class community was on a pathway toward hard times, as industries began to close and relocate out of the region.  In the late '70s,  good jobs were reasonably available after graduation, but long-term job security was on the wane.  

When I decided to attend college,  I (like so many young people) had no idea what I wanted to do for a career, especially as it was apparent that jobs in manufacturing had no future.  My interests always have leaned heavily toward math and science, and I had thought that I might study physics. But because of a variety of circumstances, I ended up majoring in English, as this was a course of study that ticked a number of boxes for me: I loved to read and write; it was flexible enough to accommodate a challenging work-study balance; and it enabled me to pursue a wide range of topics normally not afforded by other majors.  I earned my undergraduate degree at a public institution, which provided me with access to a world class education, while remaining respectful of the concerns of its primarily working class students.  I continued on to earn multiple graduate degrees, as I discovered that the study of English provided me with skills that I could use in any profession.  

Strong reading, writing, critical analysis, and information literacy skills are the hallmarks of an English degree; interestingly enough, these are the same attributes that are most highly sought when filling mid- and upper-management professional positions.  While I always have retained my passion for the written word, I also recognize that my English degrees have provided me with entrance into a number of senior executive roles.  My academic training also enabled me to develop highly successful consulting relationships that have included work on technical information design, curriculum development, strategic planning, and operations analysis.

It took me several attempts to obtain my undergraduate degree. Because my public undergraduate university offered such timely assistance to me during a difficult transition to college, I have dedicated my career to providing similar opportunities to other first and second generation college students.  I remain excited to be working in public higher education, and I continue to pursue consulting projects in private business and higher education to help maintain the currency of my teaching and research. All that I do outside of the classroom is intended to advance my goal of providing students with as much support as possible for them to enjoy the sort of advantages that I was afforded in my undergraduate years.