Before settling into Academia with a Ph. D. in Intercultural Communication from Howard University (2002), Deborah Vance earned her keep as a freelance writer and editor, an artist, a garden designer, teacher of adults with emotional illness, and at Maryland Public Television. She lived for several years in Italy and speaks Italian fluently. Originally from the Chicago area, she earned her Bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, specializing in radio, TV, and film. Her research interests include the interplay of media, culture and identity. Vance is currently the advisor for the WMCR Radio Club.