Makes complex topics easy to understand.
Suzanne Atkin is an instructor in the Communications department at Portland Community College, where she teaches fully online courses designed for flexible access available 24/7. Her offerings include COMM 130: Business and Professional Communication, with sections running from March 30 through June 13, 2026, and September 24 through December 9, 2025, as well as COMM 140: Introduction to Intercultural Communication. These courses focus on essential skills in professional interaction and cross-cultural understanding, aligning with the department's emphasis on practical communication studies. Atkin's instructional approach supports students through structured online platforms, emphasizing business communication and intercultural competence in contemporary settings.
Atkin's academic credentials include a Master of Science in Communication Studies from Portland State University, along with Bachelor of Science degrees in Communication Studies and Social Sciences from the same university. Her educational path began later in life as an adult learner, following extensive professional experience in executive roles at organizations such as the World Bank, the Department of Defense, and high-tech companies. This background informed her recognition of communication's critical impact on effectiveness in diverse environments. As owner of Workplace Harmony, she delivers training, coaching, mediation, and consulting services tailored to enhance organizational and individual communication. Atkin also serves as Professor of Practice and Experiential Learning at Claremont Lincoln University, teaching within the social sciences across multiple institutions. Her interests center on the change process, identity, relationships, and communication in the digital age, integrating real-world expertise into her community college teaching at Portland Community College.
