Rachel Friem has been a faculty member in the University of Pittsburgh’s Communication Department since 2009. She brings more than 25 years of teaching experience across online, hybrid, and face-to-face modalities, with a sustained focus on applied communication, writing pedagogy, and student-centered learning. Her teaching areas include rhetoric, professional and technical communication, digital storytelling, writing for digital media, science and environmental communication, and workplace writing. Rachel’s research and pedagogical interests center on supporting communication-centered learning for students, particularly through the design and integration of communication centers, instructional scaffolding, and applied learning environments. She is especially interested in how structured communication support—such as writing and communication centers, feedback systems, and authentic practice—enhances student confidence, clarity, and transfer of communication skills beyond the classroom. In addition to her teaching, Rachel has extensive experience in instructional design and curriculum development, working collaboratively with subject matter experts to create engaging, accessible, and outcomes-driven learning experiences. Her work emphasizes clarity, audience awareness, and the practical application of communication theory to real-world contexts. Outside the classroom, Rachel enjoys international travel with her family, baking, and following collegiate wrestling. She is also deeply passionate about dog rescue and shares her home with three rescue dogs.
Courses Taught at Pitt
- COMMRC 1111 - Theories of Persuasion