Joseph M. Ganakos, Director of Forensics
Joe Ganakos earned his B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL. Joe served as Interim Head Coach/Marks Graduate Assistant of the UWF Forensics Team in 1998, assuming the role of Head Coach in 1999 and eventually Director of Forensics in 2001. During his time at UWF, the program ranked nationally in Individual Events and various forms of Debate, including IPDA, as well as having state and national titles for his individual competitors while amassing over 700 awards and honors.
In 2006, Joe joined the faculty at Lee College in Baytown, TX. Upon his move to Texas, Joe was elected to the Governing Board of the IPDA, and hosted the IPDA National Championship & Convention in 2007 on the Lee College campus. Upon completing his term as a member of the Governing Board, Joe was appointed as Communications Director for the IPDA in 2010. Joe was reelected to the IPDA Governing Board in 2014.
Joe helped bring intercollegiate debate back to Lee College after a lengthy hiatus. Beginning with a core of six debaters, Joe has helped grow the team to nearly 20, helping establish a strong foundation for the future of the Joseph D. Mendoza Debate Society at Lee College for years to come. Since 2013, Lee College has set records for season points by a Community College in the IPDA, as well as becoming the first, and only, community college to win the prestigious James Madison Cup. In 2016, Joe was named IPDA "Bennett Strange Coach of the Year" by his peers at the 2016 IPDA National Championship Tournament & Convention and was named the 2016/2017 IPDA Governing Board Chairman.
In 2006, Joe joined the faculty at Lee College in Baytown, TX. Upon his move to Texas, Joe was elected to the Governing Board of the IPDA, and hosted the IPDA National Championship & Convention in 2007 on the Lee College campus. Upon completing his term as a member of the Governing Board, Joe was appointed as Communications Director for the IPDA in 2010. Joe was reelected to the IPDA Governing Board in 2014.
Joe helped bring intercollegiate debate back to Lee College after a lengthy hiatus. Beginning with a core of six debaters, Joe has helped grow the team to nearly 20, helping establish a strong foundation for the future of the Joseph D. Mendoza Debate Society at Lee College for years to come. Since 2013, Lee College has set records for season points by a Community College in the IPDA, as well as becoming the first, and only, community college to win the prestigious James Madison Cup. In 2016, Joe was named IPDA "Bennett Strange Coach of the Year" by his peers at the 2016 IPDA National Championship Tournament & Convention and was named the 2016/2017 IPDA Governing Board Chairman.
Christine Courteau, Assistant Debate Coach
Christine Courteau earned her B.S. in Journalism and M.A. in Communication from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. She has had a dedicated career in debate, competing and judging for more than a decade. In her tenure at SFA, Christine was an active member and team captain of their IPDA squad. She was twice nationally ranked in the top ten in IPDA season-long standings. She also served as vice president of the Texas Alpha Mu chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, forensics honor society.
Upon completion of her MA, Christine returned home to the Texas Gulf Coast where she taught at San Jacinto College, Galveston College, and Texas A&M University, Galveston. She also worked at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, helping to secure millions of dollars in research funding for traumatic brain injury, addiction, burns, and septic shock. She joined the Mendoza Debate Society at Lee College in the summer of 2016.
Upon completion of her MA, Christine returned home to the Texas Gulf Coast where she taught at San Jacinto College, Galveston College, and Texas A&M University, Galveston. She also worked at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, helping to secure millions of dollars in research funding for traumatic brain injury, addiction, burns, and septic shock. She joined the Mendoza Debate Society at Lee College in the summer of 2016.
