Derek Brandow believes the classroom should be more than four walls and a syllabus. As an instructor in the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon, Brandow creates learning environments where students don't just absorb information—they experience it through a distinctive approach that balances academic rigor with playful exploration. Drawing inspiration from the Asaro tribe of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea who say, "Knowledge is only a rumor until it lives in the muscle," and channeling a touch of Mr. Keating from Dead Poets Society, Brandow takes learning beyond traditional classroom settings. You might find his classes meeting at a client's office, under the shade of campus trees, in a local museum, or at a neighborhood café. For Brandow, education becomes meaningful when students can connect concepts to real contexts—transforming abstract ideas into lived experience.

Drawing on his Master of Arts in Teaching and years of classroom experience, Brandow has developed signature courses that reflect his educational philosophy. His "Work Confidence" course has guided hundreds of students through transformative personal growth journeys since 2016, helping them discover that they "belong in any room, at any table, in any conversation." As Faculty Director for "Media and Social Action," Brandow leads first-year students in creating documentary projects that explore social justice through storytelling, emphasizing curiosity and feedback as essential elements of the learning process. His expertise in professional development is further evidenced by his work with Estée Lauder in New York City, where he helped develop a professional leadership school for the iconic company.

Students across all levels—from first-year programs to graduate-level strategic communication—quickly discover they're not just names on a roster in Brandow's courses. His teaching approach is deeply influenced by the work of Dr. Brené Brown and others who research belonging, courage, vulnerability, and curiosity. This foundation allows Brandow to create classroom communities where students feel empowered to take intellectual risks while developing genuine connections with each other and with course material.

Brandow's focus on developing authentic confidence and communication skills extends beyond the university through his consulting practice, where he designs and delivers workshops on organizational trust, emotional intelligence, and leadership development for organizations including Juniper Networks, JGP Investments, and Good Apple NYC. This professional duality brings fresh insights to his students while connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications.

When not in the classroom or consulting, Brandow serves as a Faculty Fellow in University Housing and advises numerous student organizations and independent studies. His impact on student development has been recognized through multiple teaching awards, including the National Society for Leadership and Success Excellence in Teaching Award and consistent recognition in the Oregon Daily Emerald's Best of Campus listings.

A dedicated mentor who works across the spectrum from first-year interest groups to graduate student dissertation advising, Brandow creates learning spaces that establish a sense of curiosity, courage, and connection—preparing students to become thoughtful professionals and emerging leaders who know they belong wherever their paths may lead.

Beyond the classroom, Brandow's life reflects the same blend of purpose and joy that characterizes his teaching. Happily married and a father to four children, he enjoys cheering for his kids at sports games and attending their band concerts. His backyard serves as a space for practical creativity—growing vegetables for family meals, nurturing sourdough starters, and keeping bees that produce honey for friends and neighbors. With an Americano usually within reach and a natural optimism that friends and colleagues find refreshing, Brandow brings the same authentic enthusiasm to his personal life that makes his teaching so effective.