Justin Bonanno is the Chair of the Communications and Literature Departments at Ave Maria University. Actively involved in academic conferences and editorial work, he focuses on advancing communication ethics and rhetoric. His research explores the intersection of technology, media, and ethical communication. Bonanno holds a Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Duquesne University.

Too often, academics isolate themselves from what is happening in the outside environment, especially in the business realm. Alternatively, many take a utilitarian approach to education, emphasizing that degrees must be useful, which tends to downplay the importance of the liberal arts. This Institute can help find a middle ground between the Ivory Tower and the utilitarian world of total work by encouraging students and faculty to play at the boundary of the academy and the marketplace.