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Sarah Menke-Fish Assistant Professor and Senior Director of Experiential Learning Film and Media Arts

Additional Positions at AU
Assistant Dean of Experiential Learning
Assistant Professor Film and Media Arts
Associate Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking
Degrees
MA Film and Video, American University; BA Education, Speech Theatre Teaching and B.A. Radio Television Broadcasting, Journalism University of Northern Iowa

Bio
Sarah Menke-Fish is a full-time professor of Film and Media Arts. She serves as Assistant Dean of Experiential Learning and Associate Director for the Center for Environmental Filmmaking. Menke-Fish launched and directs Discover the World of Communication, a summer program that brings high school students from around the world to AU and U.C. Berkeley for intense, hands-on courses in environmental communication, video production, screen writing and journalism. She received the AU Faculty Green Teaching Award 2019, The Alan G. Penczek Service-Learning Faculty Award, Maryland-DC Campus Compact 2013 and the University Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching 2012. In 2005 she was selected Faculty Member of the Year by the AU Student Confederation; in 2002, she received American University's award for Outstanding Teaching in an Adjunct Position. Prior to joining the SOC faculty, Menke-Fish coordinated Montgomery County Public Schools' Humanities and Communication Magnet Program. She has won numerous awards for educational documentaries produced with middle school and high school students, including CINE awards for If You Change Your Mind and Remotely Science. She and her students received the Presidential Environmental Youth Award for Trash: What A Waste, a comprehensive look at recycling.
See Also
Discover the World of Communication
DWC Video Updates Summer 2011
DWC Professional Newswriting 2011
DWC Flash Fiction Writing
DWC Nature Photography 2011
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Partnerships & Affiliations

  • Newseum
    Member,  Educational Advisory Board

  • Young D.C.
    Board Member

  • Screen Actors Guild
    Member

  • American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
    Member

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Media Appearances

       
  • Professional Narrator and Voice Over Talent:  American Red Cross, U.S. Park Service, Department of Agriculture, Catholic Communication Campaign, Democratic National Committee, Bell Atlantic Corporation, MCI, Environmental Protection Agency
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  • Actor, Homicide, NBC
    •    
  • Actor, Major League II, Major Motion Picture

Executive Experience

       
  • Director Discover the World of Communication Program, American University, 2001-Present
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  • AU Discover the World of Communication Program in California, Director, 2009
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  • Coordinator of Innovative Initiatives, Signature, Magnet & Highly Gifted Center Programs, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2000-2004
    •    
  • Humanities and Communication Magnet Program Coordinator, Montgomery County Public Schools, 1993-2000
    •    
  • Honors Advisory Board, 2010-2011 

Grants and Sponsored Research

       
  • $20,000 grant to create Independence from Dependence, an anti-smoking campaign produced by college students targeting high school seniors, 2004
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  • $40,000 grant to create an educational documentary on the science and effects of cocaine, NIDA, 1990
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  • $25,000 grant to create an educational documentary to encourage women and minorities to pursue science careers, NIDA, 1992
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  • $5000 grant to create Editorial Cartooning Program for High School Students, Herb Block Foundation, 2008       

Work In Progress

YMAT, Young Mothers Against Tobacco PSA, Teen Mothers are empowered to make a positive difference in their child's lives by protecting them from second hand smoke.

Films/Documentaries

       
  • Professor/Producer, ten mini-documentaries, Cross Cultural Cinema, Monterrey, Mexico/American University, 2007-2008
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  • Executive Director/Producer/Consultant, Second Hand Smoke, Community Health Consulting, LLC, 2007
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  • Professor/Producer, Trading Places, Monterrey, Mexico/American University, 2006
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  • Director/Producer, Independence from Dependence, an anti-smoking campaign produced by college students targeting high school seniors, 2004
    •    
  • Executive Director/Producer, Immigration, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2004
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  • Executive Producer/Writer/Director/Consultant, Government By The People, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2003
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  • Executive Director/Producer, Good Listening: A Pathway to Improved Relationships, St. James’ Episcopal Church, 2002
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  • Executive Director/Producer, On Becoming a Good Listener, Prison Aftercare Ministry Training, 2002
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  • Executive Director/Producer, Dealing With Substance Abuse, Prison Aftercare Ministry Training Series, 2002
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  • Executive Director/Producer/Consultant, Quit While You’re Ahead Public Service Announcement, Teen Tobacco Campaign, 2002
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  • Executive Producer, Remotely Science, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, Maryland
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  • Executive Producer, If You Change Your Mind, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, Maryland
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  • Director/Producer, Trash: What A Waste, an educational documentary on every day things every person can do to recycle and save the environment, MCPS

Honors, Awards, and Fellowships

       
  • Top Ranked Professor, Tecnologico De Monterrey University, 2006
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  • Professor of the Year, American University, 2005
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  • Adjunct Professor of the Year, American University, 2002
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  • Communications Alumnus of the Year, University of Northern Iowa, 2001
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  • Who’s Who In America’s Teachers, 1996 & 1998
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  • CINE Award, If You Change Your Mind, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1990-1992
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  • CINE Award, Remotely Science, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1990-1992
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  • Presidential Environmental Youth Award, Trash: What A Waste, Year 1990
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  • Washington Post Agnes Meyer Teacher of the Year Finalist, Year 1991
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  • Best of the Fest Award, Bottom of the Ninth, American University Film School, Year 1991

Professional Presentations

       
  • Environmental Filmmaking for Peace, Forum Universal de las Culturas (Universal Forum of Cultures), Presenter,  Monterrey, Mexico, 2007
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  • Student Television Network, Presenter and Exhibitor, 2009
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  • American Film Institute for the Montgomery County Public Schools Environmental Film Fest, Keynote Speaker, 2007, 2008
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  • Ann Ferren Teaching Conference, American University, Moderator/Presenter,  2003-2007
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  • George Washington University Workshop to Media Professionals, Presenter, Mentoring The High School Student,  2006
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  • National School Board Association Convention on Technology and Learning, Presenter, 1996-2002
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  • American University, Best Teaching Practices, Presenter, 2006, 2007