M.A., Johns Hopkins University
B.S., University of Oregon

Prof. Silverthorne holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Business Administration and Journalism from the University of Oregon, where she was in the Honors Program at the Lundquist College of Business.

Professor Silverthorne began her career as a media planner and buyer at a boutique agency and quickly moved up in the profession as a marketing consultant focused on digital marketing and communications for nonprofits and small businesses. She also worked in marketing and public relations for the world’s first celebrity chef’s book launch getting press with the BBC. Her marketing and communications expertise includes nonprofit communications, storytelling, digital storytelling and marketing strategy.

One of her main marketing clients has been Safe Families for Children, a family preservation movement motivated by radical hospitality, disruptive generosity, and intentional compassion to keep children safe and families together. The organization brings church and community together mobilizing an army of volunteers to advocate for vulnerable children and socially isolated families. Prof. Silverthorne produced the first national commercial for Safe Families for Children and created the Oregon chapter’s first digital volunteer recruitment campaign. She continues to create communication pieces and newsletters that focus on fostering positive communication between state employees and decision-makers who collaborate with the Safe Families program. She enjoys creating stories that elicit the greatest responses for nonprofit volunteer recruitment.

She began teaching at Bushnell as an adjunct instructor in 2017 and has taught full-time since 2022.