Sam is an adjunct professor of communication and holds a Masters Degree in Communication Studies from San Jose State University. Working in the California community college system, he teaches students how to more effectively articulate their positions on issues of social significance.

His research has been presented at the National Communication Association, he has written for the Journal of the American Communication Association and served as a pre-publication textbook reviewer for major publishing houses.

Ciraulo was a Commissioner of Human Rights for the City of Sacramento, California and has been involved in a number of community organizations. In 1975, he founded the Christopher Street Democratic Club in his hometown of San Jose, California. He was one of five community leaders to organize the first Gay rights rally in Silicon Valley -- in response to the Briggs Initiative, Proposition 6. He has held a variety of positions in state and local Gay and Lesbian political organizations as well as the Sacramento County and California Democratic Party.

His fondest political memory is being in the room to hear the late San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk deliver his “You’ve Gotta Give Them Hope” speech.

His favorite quote -– “freedom goes to the articulate” –- comes from an article published in Communication Education by scholar Roderick Hart. The quote forms the foundation of his teaching and his passion for community service.

Sam lives in Palm Springs, California with his boyfriend Michael and their amazing black lab, Allie.

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