Fred worked at Arizona State University from 1986 to 2021. In addition to serving as faculty in communication studies, he held numerous administrative roles, including vice provost, dean of University College and director of the School of Letters and Sciences. Throughout his career at ASU, Fred focused on undergraduate student success through curricular design, academic advising, degree planning, major and career exploration, and innovations in technology that provide students access to the tools they need to thrive. He has published widely in the areas of communication and performance studies with emphases on ethnographic writing, gay culture and personal narrative. He earned his PhD in communication from the University of Arizona, MS in communication from Southern Illinois University and BS in political science from Central Michigan University.
Fred lives in Phoenix with his husband Germain.