UMI Part II Course TA

Tiffany Petty Gilliam is an artist and media ecologist whose work connects fine art with academic communication. Known for her mixed-media and found-object pieces, Tiffany views art as a form of communication—expressive, vibrant, and deeply personal. She believes that art, like all communication, plays a critical role in shaping human experience and societal change.

A Ph.D. candidate in Communication at Duquesne University, Tiffany’s scholarship is informed by media ecology, the study of how media and technology impact human affairs. She is an active member of the international Media Ecology Association, where she serves on the board. Tiffany believes that artists have outsider perspectives that can pay attention to societal shifts and creates both visual and written work that serves a platform for social reflection.

Her freelance art commissions are inspired by the communities she engages with, creating pieces that reflect the lives and stories of the people around her. She sees her work—both in art and in her community—as a way to foster connection, support individual perspectives, and contribute to positive change. Tiffany is passionate about the idea that creation is one of the most profound human acts, and that telling those stories contributes to a more connected, purposeful world.