Chrissy Bartels

Chrissy Bartels, M.F.A. is an Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of Communication at Clarke University. Her teaching, leadership, and creative work center on the power of storytelling as a strategic, ethical, and community‑building practice. Bartels’ communication program is intentionally experiential, designed to give students hands‑on, real‑world experience while strengthening Clarke’s mission and community partnerships. Students in her courses lead communication projects for nonprofit organizations, gaining professional skills, industry connections, and a deep understanding of how communication can be used for service, advocacy, and social impact. New courses are continuously developed to respond to the rapidly changing communication landscape. In addition to her role at Clarke, Bartels serves as Co‑Chair of the Rotary Club, where she is currently helping develop a Theatre for Charity collaboration between Rotary and Clarke University—linking the arts, fundraising, and community impact.

Bartels is an award‑winning filmmaker and actress, and she frequently uses tools from theatre and film to help organizations move audiences, build trust, and raise funds. Her storytelling‑driven approach has helped organizations raise significant resources, including $30,000 for Riverview Center and $300,000 in one year for the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF). She is also actively involved in efforts to build a sustainable film industry in Dubuque, with multiple projects currently moving forward pending final documentation totaling $23 million in investment.