- Visiting Lecturer
- Email: andrewchristjoy@tamu.edu
- Office: BLTN 009
- Document: CV
Introduction
Biography
Using hermeneutic phenomenology, Dr. Christjoy’s dissertation project was a multi-modal endeavor that included both the traditional full-length written document and feature-length documentary film to analyze the strategies to bolster the conditions of resilience of one church in small town America against the backdrop of the declining church as an institution in the United States. His findings offer tangible techniques to reinvigorate congregations in the traditional rural and suburban settings where populations and resources may be limited. His film, The Resilient Church, won multiple festival awards and is a marque talking piece to foster applied action for churches.
In addition to his dissertation film, Andrew is an award-winning filmmaker with two films in distribution and available on various platforms. Let There Be Zombies premiered to a sold-out crowd of over 800 fans at the historic Landmark Theater in Dallas and is distributed by Gravitas Ventures. Prepper premiered to a crowd of over 500 at the historic Texas Theatre in Dallas and is distributed by Global Digital Releasing.
Before his academic career, Andrew was a firefighter and paramedic for the City of Sherman, Texas where he organized the county’s first technical rescue team. As a high school educator in Coppell, Texas, he received multiple awards for innovation in teaching and rapport with students. In his 40s, Andrew attended Texas A&M University and went through all four leadership development years in the Corps of Cadets, obtaining the position of Deputy Corps Commander while serving two years in the Texas State Guard.
As an instructor at Texas A&M, Dr. Christjoy uses his storied background to relate to students and inspire everyone around him to be the best versions of themselves in a way that celebrates a positive and resilient network of support.
Courses Taught:
- SOMS 380: Workshop in Leadership Education
- COMM 324: Communication Leadership and Conflict Management
- SOMS 281: Foundations of Intentional Leadership
- COMM 215: Interviewing Principles and Practices
- COMM 205: Communication for Technical Professions
- COMM 203: Public Speaking
- ARSC 101: Hullabaloo U First Year Seminar
Teaching Awards:
- Tiffany Hunnicutt Outstanding Teaching Award, Department of Communication & Journalism, Texas A&M University, (2023-24)
- Teacher of the Year Nominee, Coppell High School (2016-17)
- Teacher of the Month, Coppell High School (March 2016)
- Super Teacher, Coppell Independent School District (2013)
- Outstanding New Hire, Coppell High School (2012)
Films in Distribution:
- The Resilient Church (2024). Christjoy Media.
- Prepper (2016). Global Digital Releasing.
- Let There Be Zombies (2014). Gravitas Ventures.
Book Chapters:
Trefz, B. A., D. Bierling, A. Christjoy, J. Barbour. (2022). LEPCs as Risk Communication Infrastructure: Building Risk Communication Infrastructure by Bolstering Emergency Managers’ Formal and Informal Communication Networks. In H.D. O’Hair & M.J. O’Hair (Eds.), Communication and catastrophic events: Strategic risk and crisis management. Wiley Blackwell.
Selected Publications:
Warner, J.E., D. Lee, A.B. Trueblood, J.C. Cline, Jr., N.A. Johnson, and A. Christjoy. 2022. Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way, Volume 1: Guidebook. Pre-publication draft of TCRP Research Report 233. Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C.
Trefz, B. A., Bierling, D. H., and Christjoy, A. (2021). Hazardous Materials and Train Derailment Emergency Planning Guide for School Districts and Community Colleges: Summary for Planning Leaders. Produced by Texas A&M Transportation Institute for Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Christjoy, A. (2021, June). Resilience in the Time of COVID-19. The Guidon. 38(2), 24-25.