Luna M. Shaffer (she/they) is a Communication Studies instructor, multidisciplinary artist, and educator with nearly two decades of experience across higher education, youth and community education, curriculum and course design, and large-scale programming and production.
Her work is grounded in a human-centered approach that emphasizes connection, accessibility, mindful awareness, creativity, and care. Her interdisciplinary experience includes student mentorship, faculty collaboration, curriculum development, program leadership, creative facilitation, and community-centered programming.
Luna is a published Communication Studies scholar who has presented at national and regional conferences, with additional professional experience in art, embodiment, and end-of-life education. Luna holds a BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Women and Gender Studies and an MA in Communication Studies, and serves as an Accessibility/Universal Design for Learning Faculty Ambassador at Santa Monica College for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Education/Qualifications/Background
- MA, Communication Studies
California State University, Los Angeles - BA, Communication Studies
Minor in Women and Gender Studies
California State University, Los Angeles
Selected Qualifications & Certifications
- National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) Proficiency
- Trauma-Supportive Certification, Community Initiative
- Trauma-Informed Certification, Community Initiative
- Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance
Courses Taught
- COM ST 9, Introduction to Communication Studies
- COMM C1000, Introduction to Public Speaking
- COM ST 16, Fundamentals of Small Group Communication
- COM ST 21, Argumentation
- COM ST 35, Interpersonal Communication
- COM ST 37, Intercultural Communication
Selected Publications
Broeckelman-Post, M. A., Tindage, M. F., Shaffer, J. M., Solomon, C., Black, S., & Yamamoto, M. F. (2014). “Preparing to Learn: Structuring the Basic Course to Increase Student Preparation and Learning.” Basic Communication Course Annual, 26, 174–221.
Contributing author of instructional activities, guided reading materials, and speech examples published in The Speaker’s Primer and The Speaker’s Primer Customized for Cal State LA (Fountainhead Press), 2013.
Selected Presentations & Professional Activities
- Finding Your Voice: A Public Speaking Workshop, Lecturer & Facilitator, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Exchange Alumni Ambassador Program, 2022
- GIFTS: Past, Present, Future: I Am a Communication Scholar, National Communication Association Annual Convention, 2014
- Borderline Serbia: An Ethnographic Performance and Reflection, National Communication Association Annual Convention, 2013
- GIFTS: Closing Connections: A Special Occasion Speech, Virginia Association of Communication Arts & Sciences Annual Conference, 2013
- Mass Media Consumption and the Endorsement of Idealized Thinness, Western States Communication Association Convention, 2013
- GIFTS: Get to Know Your Campus Community, National Communication Association Annual Convention, 2012
- The Effects of Using Notes on Quiz-Taking, Class Preparation, Student Intellectual Stimulation, Cognitive Learning, and Affective Learning, Co-presenter, National Communication Association Annual Convention, 2012
- Organizing Skills Share: How to Build Feminist Leadership and Activism on Your Campus, Featured Panelist, Western Regional Feminist Campus Leadership Conference, 2011
- Diversity Awareness & Sensitivity Training, Lecturer, Camp Ubuntu, Los Angeles, 2016
- So You Want to Be a Straight Ally?, Lecturer, Cross-Cultural Center, California State University, Los Angeles, 2010