Communication Professor Named ‘Faculty of the Year’ for Record Fifth Time

MAYS LANDING—The students of Atlantic Cape Community College have named Associate Professor of Communication Keith Forrest Faculty Member of the Year for the fifth time, the most in the college’s history. He resides in Collingswood with his wife, Kris, and their four children, Madeline, Elijah, Josh and Kameron. Forrest is widely published with his essays and commentaries appearing in numerous publications including The Philadelphia Inquirer. He was also a producer at E! Entertainment in Los Angeles. 
Forrest is also the founder of the college’s annual Communication Awards Show, which is more similar to the Oscars than a traditional college awards program. The show is produced and staged by the college’s Communication Club. Forrest is a co-founder and adviser of the club.
Forrest is all but dissertation in his doctoral studies in Political Science and has a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He has a M.A. in Communication from Temple University and earned a B.A. in Communication from Rowan University. Forrest joined Atlantic Cape in fall 2004 and founded the Communication degree option in 2007 and the college’s annual communication awards show, and co-founded the current A.A. program in Communication in 2012. He grew up in Cape May and is a 1984 graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School.
Forrest is a frequent speaker at libraries including recent appearances in Collingswood with topics such as “How to Talk So Politicians Will Listen” and “Women’s History Comes Alive.” He hosted the Eagles Pep Rally and Poetry Contest at the Collingswood Community Center in February, and is widely quoted in media stories about topics including the Emmys, Academy Awards, digital media and the Super Bowl halftime show.
Forrest is also an accomplished runner with more than 50 medals in a variety of events including marathons, half marathons and duathalons.
Forrest received the honor of Faculty Member of the Year in 2009-10, 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17, as well. He was honored for this year’s award at the Student Government Association Banquet on Friday, April 13, and will be recognized at Atlantic Cape’s Commencement on Thursday, May 17.
Forrest is known for giving innovative assignments that get students to think “Outside the Box.” For example, in his Introduction to Mass Media class, students go 24 hours without media consumption and then analyze the effects on their attitudes, beliefs and values. In Journalism II, the emphasis is on students getting published by writing vibrant commentaries and personal essays. More than 40 students have been published with articles written in this class.
The prestigious Communication Program at Atlantic Cape offers five tracks including Communication Arts, Creative Writing, Journalism, Public Relations and Radio/Television/Film. Student accomplishments range from internships with MTV and Walt Disney World to movie appearances and NJPA awards.
To register online or view an updated schedule of summer and fall courses currently available, visit www.atlantic.edu/fall. For more information, email accadmit@atlantic.edu, or call (609) 343-5000, 625-1111, ext. 5000, or 463-3960 in Cape May County.