Karyl Kicenski received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Communication Studies from California State University at Northridge.  While working on her Masters she became interested in Rhetorical Theory and Criticism as these intersect with the topics of race and political economy.  Her research focused upon questions of race relations, politics, and our country's economic system.  As a result, after the completion of her Masters she began working on a doctorate at George Mason University  in the interdisciplinary field of Cultural Studies [ A field which examines cultural practices and their relationship to power].  She is currently working on her dissertation project , entitled "The Corporate Prison:  The Production of Crime and the Sale of Discipline."  The project takes account of the relatively recent drive to privatize the prison system in the US. and the ways this event affects and is affected by cultural practices, our economic structure and the politics of race and class.  Her favorite areas of research and teaching include the political and cultural facets of communication, particularly persuasion within our increasingly pervasive mass media.  In her "free time" Karyl loves the beach, water sports, and spicy Indian food.