Dr. Jacqueline Vickery
(she/her/hers)
Founder, Mindful Media

I’m a Colorado-based researcher, educator, and consultant who helps communities, families, and youth-serving organizations navigate digital life with clarity, developmental insight, and evidence-informed practice.

With a PhD in Media Studies, I spent nearly two decades in academia, including as a tenured professor and founder of the Youth Media Lab at the University of North Texas. My teaching, research, and program leadership have focused on media literacy, youth development, digital equity, curriculum design, and community programming.

A few years ago I took a leap of faith, sold my house, resigned from my career, and spent nearly two years traveling the world. It was magical! but then I had to adult again. I relocated to beautiful Fort Collins and immediately got plugged into a wonderful community of artists, outdoor enthusiasts, small business owners, and youth advocates.

Today I lead Mindful Media, a practice built on a simple idea: young people want guidance, and adults need help navigating all the research and resources out there so they're better equipped to support young people's digital lives. I'm passionate about cutting through the noise and panicked discourse so that young people can exercise agency and develop lifelong healthy media practices.

Outside of work, you can find me fanatically watching women's and college sports (Boomer Sooner 🏈🥎🏀), hiking and cycling beautiful trails, traveling with my favorite people, juggling far too many books, and pretending I know how to cook better than I actually do.

Background & Experience

Researcher and Author

PhD in Media Studies, researcher, and widely cited author, with 3 published books, 20+ journal articles, and other works examining youth, gender, equity, and opportunity, using mixed-method and participatory research approaches.

Program Founder and Director

Founded and directed the Youth Media Lab, a space for teaching media literacy through youth media production and creative storytelling. I designed, implemented, and evaluated those initiatives across school, nonprofit, and child welfare settings.

Community Engagement

Active CASA volunteer in Larimer County and member of the City of Fort Collins Gender Equity Advisory Board. I teach digital literacy for older adults through OLLI at CSU, volunteer with FoCo Pride, and am a 2026 member of the PSD Leadership Program. I'm a long-time collaborator with youth-serving organizations, bringing a trauma-informed, equity-centered approach to every partnership.

Educator and Facilitator

More than 20 years of experience teaching, curriculum for youth, adults, and educators across schools, nonprofits, and universities with a particular focus on integrating media literacy into existing programs and learning environments.

Trauma-Informed & Culturally Responsive Practice

Led programs and learning experiences with youth navigating mental illness, LGBTQ+ identity, foster care, and living in under-resourced communities using trauma-informed TBRI and culturally responsive approaches.

Speaker & Facilitator

Delivered keynotes, workshops, and trainings across the U.S. and internationally, translating research into actionable strategies for educators, caregivers, researchers, policymakers, and youth advocates.