Profile picture of Saeed Dabbour

Saeed Dabbour

Doctoral Student
Graduate Teaching Fellow
Phone:
Office: Allen Hall 312I
City: Eugene
Research Interests: Reality Television, Pop Culture, and Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, & Inclusion

Biography

Saeed (he/him/his), a proud Palestinian-Jordanian, relocated to the United States from Saudi Arabia in 2016 to pursue his education. He holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of South Dakota and an MA in Communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Saeed's extensive background spans higher education, marketing, digital marketing, communication, media, and a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), which drives his research and professional endeavors.

Saeed's research focuses on the portrayal of non-dominant groups in reality television and how communication influences modern media, shaping society. He employs diverse research methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, and critical/rhetorical approaches, to explore identity in unscripted modern media. In addition to his academic pursuits, Saeed played a pivotal role in fostering diversity and inclusivity as the Intercultural Programming Coordinator at the University of South Dakota's Center for Diversity & Community. In 2022, he transitioned to a role as a Paid Media Analyst, specializing in data-driven marketing strategies, where precision and accuracy were crucial in shaping successful campaigns for clients. Furthermore, Saeed's podcast, "A Breath of Fresh Saeed," launched in 2020, reflects his passion for communication and diversity, reaching a global audience with over 30,000 plays.

Education

University of Oregon, Eugene, OR | Anticipated Graduation Spring 2027
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Communication and Media 
Concentrations: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Popular Culture | Reality TV
Graduate Certifcate: Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies (in-progress)
 
University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE | Graduated Spring 2022
Master of Arts (M.A.): Communication GPA: 3.9/4.0
Concentrations: Representation in Media | Reality Television | Advocacy | Rhetoric
Thesis Project: “Microaggressions on Reality Television: A Rhetorical Narrative Analysis of Survivor Season 34”
Chair: Dr. Whitney Gent
 
University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD | Graduated Fall 2019
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.): Marketing, Major GPA: 3.8/4.0

Honors and Awards:

o 2024 | The Dick Hilbert Student Scholar - The National Conference on Race & Ethnicity 

o 2023-2027 | University of Oregon, School of Journalism and Communication - The Columbia Scholarship ($1000/year)

o 2023 | University of Oregon, School of Journalism and Communication - The Lorry I. Lokey Journalism Scholarship

o 2022 | University of South Dakota Foundation: 30 Under 30 - USD Alumni

o 2022 | University of South Dakota | Student Government Commemoration: Saeed Dabbour

o 2022 | University of Nebraska at Omaha: Graduate Student Employee of the Year

o 2020 | University of South Dakota | Union of African American Students - Unique Award

o 2018 | Presidents Celebration of University Leadership - Mosaic Inclusive Excellence Award

o 2018 | Presidents Celebration of University Leadership - Community Spirit Award

Teaching

Graduate Employee Assignments: 
  • J211 Gateway to Media: Instructor of Record
    • Summer 2024
  • J320 Gender, Media, & Diversity: Grader
    • Spring 2024  
  • J211 Gateway to Media: Lab Assistant
    •  Fall 2023, and Winter 2024