Dr. St. Amant recent guest scholar for The Cohen Center

Alum Dr. Kirk St.Amant has the distinction of being the first graduate of the Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC) master’s program (formerly called the Technical and Scientific Communication program) at JMU. Recruited for the program by English professor Dr. Bruce Johnson, St.Amant credits his graduate education at JMU as a pivotal point in his journey toward doing the work he loves. After completing a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication at the University of Minnesota, he combined his fascination with anthropology and international affairs from his undergraduate studies with his love for scientific communication to create a rewarding career. 

According to St.Amant, the most valuable aspects of his time in the WRTC program include the camaraderie that developed among faculty and students and the responsibility of client work entrusted to him. During his time as a graduate student, he practiced the kind of meaningful collaboration within and across disciplines that continues to characterize his work. He cultivated a network of interdisciplinary partnerships with colleagues and friends that led to rich collaboration and innovation, an achievement that makes him proud.

During a recent visit to JMU as a guest scholar, hosted by The Cohen Center, St.Amant shared his passion for blending theory with practical application by exploring how cultural dynamics in communication contexts impact patient care in the medical field. Specifically, his current projects center on developing frameworks to evaluate sociocultural and technological differences between people groups. These frameworks are used to enhance the design and delivery of quality medical care. He has discovered that cultural norms and expectations shape what is considered quality care along with the usability of medical equipment and the way healthcare providers interact with patients.

As he develops this project and others, St.Amant is guided by a firm belief in the importance of lifelong learning. He explained, “What you know is always out of date. Intellect evolves so education must keep moving forward.” Through formal and informal education, St.Amant pursues the knowledge that births fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. His grandmother, a woman with little formal education but a sharp intellect and thirst for knowledge, inspired his love for learning. Now, he is sharing his passion for learning with his students.