Jeremy McCool, Ph.D.

Jeremy McCool Headshot

Assistant Professor

E-mail: Jeremy McCool, Ph.D.

Office: Wayne Hall, 214

Office Hours: Mon/Wed 2:15-3:15pm on Zoom; Thu 8:30-10:00am on Zoom

 

Courses Taught:

  • Digital Storytelling; Podcasting, Vlogs, and Media
  • "Fight the Power!”: Music and Marketing Social Protest Movements
  • Intro to Communication, Media, and Culture
  • Intro to Public Speaking
  • Media Field Studies: Podcasting
  • Media Technology
  • Radio Production
  • Rap & Reason: Socially Conscious Hip-Hop

Recent Publications:

  • McCool, J. C. & Hopkins, E. (2026). Conscious Rap Lives: How J. Cole & Kendrick Lamar Saved Hip-Hop. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  • McCool, J. C., & Mehlman-Brightwell, D. (2024). Value & Relevance of Enhancing Gen-Z’s Digital Footprints in an AI-Driven Industry: Tips & Strategies for Students and Instructors. Journal of Media Education, 15(4).
  • Mehlman-Brightwell, D.R. & McCool, J. C. (2023). A Shift in the Norms: The Impact of Covid-19 on Class, Access to Technology, and Social Inequalities in Higher Education. In The Impacts of COVID-19 on Political Dynamics, Social Inequality, and the Wellbeing of Americans. Lexington Books.
  • Rine, P. J., Hilton, A. A., & McCool, J. C. (2021). Current Trends, Future Directions: Promoting the Long-Term Survival and Success of HBCUs. In Reimagining Historically Black Colleges and Universities (pp. 121-134). Emerald Publishing Limited.
  • McCool, J. C. (2021). The Miseducation of Hip-Hop: Exploring the Relationship between Race and the Perception of Socially Conscious Rap Music (Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University of Pennsylvania).
  • McCool, J. C., & McBride, A. (2021). The Adventures of Darrius: The Hall Monitor.
  • McCool, J. C., & McBride, A. (2018). Princess and The Power of Melanin.

Education:

  • Ph.D. - Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  • M.A. - Western Illinois University
  • B.A. - Western Illinois University

Jeremy C. McCool joined the faculty at West Chester University in 2021, after previously teaching at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. McCool is currently an Assistant Professor of Digital/Global Media in the department of Communication and Media. With a background in radio and entertainment, McCool’s research and writing revolves around media technology, socially conscious hip-hop, and cultural studies. Additionally, McCool has published op-ed content on racial bias, media, and discrimination in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. He is also the co-author of a children’s book series called McCool & McBride Books, which aims to educate, empower, and inspire children with stories that feature Black lead characters. The series debut book, Princess and The Power of Melanin, was created to combat prejudice and uplift Black children. McCool was honored as one of Pittsburgh Magazine's '40 Under 40' honorees in 2021. He later received the distinction of being West Liberty University’s 2022 Hughes Lecturer, where he delivered a lecture on socially conscious rap music. His book with the working title How J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar Saved Hip-Hop is set to release in 2026 with Bloomsbury Publishing.