Andrew Christjoy
  • PhD Program
Introduction
Andrew Christjoy is an Organizational Communication scholar with a focus on resilience
for individuals, organizations, and communities through empirical research strategies
and the production of heroic narratives. Using hermeneutic phenomenology, his
dissertation project is a multi-modal endeavor that includes both the traditional written
document and full-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.

Biography

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. Currently a PhD
candidate, Andrew 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
resilient network of support. Married to his wife Lara for 27 years, his favorite pastime is
simply being at home with her and his pack of adorable yet high-maintenance dogs.


Courses Taught


● COMM 203: Public Speaking
● COMM 205: Communication for Technical Professions
● COMM 215: Interviewing
● SOMS 281: Foundations of Intentional Leadership
● SOMS 380: Workshop in Leadership Education
● ARSC 101: Hullabaloo U First Year Seminar

Awards & Honors

    • 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)

Selected Publications

  • 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.


    Films in Distribution

    ● Prepper (2016). Global Digital Releasing.

    ● Let There Be Zombies (2014). Gravitas Ventures

    Additional 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),

    Webpage: www.andrewchristjoy.com