Meet Dr. Thomas Riley
Degrees and Experience
- Ph.D., Communication Studies (University of Utah)
- American Baptist Ordination (Gilead Baptist Church, Utah)
- M.Div., Ministry Ordination Credential (American Baptist Seminary of the West)
- B.A., Theology (Walla Walla University)
Biography and Professional Achievements
Dr. Thomas Riley has worked in higher education since 1995. Specializing in communication studies, Riley has taught countless traditional communication courses over the years with expertise in media studies, television and video production, and media aesthetics. Before joining CCU in 2019 as a part-time instructor, he served as tenured faculty at the University of Cincinnati in the Conservatory of Music's media production department.
Although Riley grew up in the Northwest and has roots in northern Idaho, he returned to his native Colorado several years ago after formally retiring from the teaching profession and he has been serving in ministry appointments around Colorado and Wyoming for nearly a decade. He is currently serving in ministry at Rinn United Methodist Church and also as a communication consultant for From Range churches and denominations in their use of digital media.
Throughout his career, Riley has produced noteworthy documentaries and a wide range of video content for faith-based organizations including two long-form documentaries. Journey of Hope and Utopia on the Rio Grande. He also has received honors for his writing: His book Film, Faith, and Cultural Conflict, received the Religious Communication Association's book of the year award in 2003.
While he enjoys sharing his 30 years of expertise in the field with CCU students. Riley continues to be engaged in a variety of media ministries across denominations, including work as communications officer for the American Baptists of the Rocky Mountains. His production company, Riley Coyote Productions, also creates media content and videos for a wide variety of clients, with recent work including a series for the Rocky Mountain synod of the Evangelical Church for their part-time ministries.
Publications & Productions
- Riley, T. (2003). Film, Faith and Cultural Conflict: The Case of Martin Scorsese's Last Temptation of Christ. Greenwood Publishing Group.
- Riley, T. (2002). Student co-curricular television and the discovery process. Feedback JOurnal of the Broadcast Education Association.
- Riley, T. (1991/92). Communiqué. [Editor and content creator for the alumni publication of the Communication Department at the University of Utah].