MA in Strategic Communication: Faculty

Faculty teaching in the online program will be drawn from the highly regarded on-campus faculty. Get to know our faculty and learn more about their expertise.

American University professors bring more than just academics to the classroom—they bring years of experience as respected practitioners, resulting in valuable and applicable insights for students.

Jason Mollica

Jason Mollica

Program Director

Jason Mollica is the Program Director for the School of Communication’s Online M.A. in Strategic Communication and is an award-winning, seasoned strategic communication professional with over 20 years of experience as a journalist, news producer, and PR professional.

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Dario Bernardini

Dario Bernardini

Professorial Lecturer

Dario Bernardini has taught courses in public relations as well as public, corporate and interpersonal communication at public and private universities.

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Rajul Mistry Bhaskar

Rajul Mistry Bhaskar

Adjunct Instructor

Rajul Mistry Bhaskar is a communications consultant and American University professor in the School of Communication.

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Katherine Broendel

Katherine Broendel

Adjunct Instructor

Katherine Broendel works as the media and public relations manager for the American Association of University Women. She earned her M.A. in Public Communication from...

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Curtis Carey

Curtis Carey

Adjunct Instructor

Dr. Curtis Carey is an adjunct professor of Public and Strategic Communication at American University.

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Matt Charles

Matt Charles

Adjunct Instructor

For over a decade, Matt Charles has provided a suite of public and community relations services for a number of nonprofits, government organizations and small businesses and startups.

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Caty Borum Chattoo

Caty Borum Chattoo

Executive in Residence

Caty Borum Chattoo is a full-time professor of Public Communication. She has multifaceted expertise in social change communication, integrated media campaigns, and documentary film...

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Christine Cotter

Christine Cotter

Adjunct Instructor

Christine is a social media strategist, avid tweeter and pop culture enthusiast working and playing in The Windy City. With an agency background in traditional public relations and...

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Priya Doshi

Priya Doshi

Professorial Lecturer

Priya Lothe Doshi has more than 15 years of experience as a public relations practitioner creating and implementing strategic communications plans, conducting media relations...

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Brenda Foster

Brenda Foster

Adjunct Instructor

Brenda K. Foster is an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Communication with more than 20 years' experience directing strategic communications for government, university, foundation, and non-profit organizations.

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Joseph Graf

Joseph Graf

Assistant Professor

Joseph Graf is a full-time professor of Public Communication. He is former research director for the Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet, which worked...

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Jamie Corbett Higdon

Jamie Corbett Higdon

Adjunct Instructor

Jamie Higdon has taught at American University since 2010 and worked for the Department of Homeland Security in various communication roles for five years. She joined the...

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Corinne Hoare

Corinne Hoare

Professorial Lecturer

Corinne Hoare is a full-time professor of Public Communication. She has nearly a decade of high-level experience in the public relations and strategic communication field in...

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Anya Karavanov

Anya Karavanov

Professorial Lecturer

Anya Karavanov is a professor of Public Communication. She is a seasoned marketing communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience creating and implementing social change campaigns for government agencies, nonprofits, and private foundations.

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Adam Konowe

Adam Konowe

Adjunct Professorial Lecturer

Adam Konowe is an adjunct professor of Public Communication. He is also vice president of client strategy at TMP Government, where he specializes in business-to-business and...

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Pallavi Kumar

Pallavi Kumar

Assistant Professor, Division Director

Pallavi Damani Kumar is a full-time professor in American University’s School of Communication and the Division Director for the Public Communication. Prior to teaching full time...

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Dina Martinez

Dina Martinez

Professorial Lecturer

Dina Martinez is a full-time professor of Public Communication. She joined the Public Communications Division in 2011 as professor and Director for the Professional Public Communication Graduate Program.

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Mame Croze McCully

Mame Croze McCully

Adjunct Instructor

Mame Croze McCully specializes in public relations and marketing in the non-profit field. Due to her personal and professional interests, she has extensive experience working with...

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Pilar McKay

Pilar McKay

Adjunct Professorial Lecturer

Pilar McKay, Ph.D. is a full-time professor of Public Communication. Trained as a social research methodologist, she worked in advertising and public opinion polling prior to teaching at SOC at American University.

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Wendy Melillo

Wendy Melillo

Associate Professor

Wendy Melillo is a full-time professor of Public Communication. She teaches in the School of Communication's Strategic Communication division. Her research is focused on...

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Molly O'Rourke

Molly O'Rourke

Executive in Residence

Molly O’Rourke is an Executive in Residence in the School of Communication. She has more than 15 years’ experience in the field of public opinion research, most recently as a partner at Peter Hart...

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Christie Parell

Christie Parell

Instructor

Christie Parell is a full-time professor of Public Communication. She brings more than 15 years of experience working in the communications field at the highest levels of both the public and private sectors...

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Bianca Prade

Bianca Prade

Adjunct Instructor

Bianca Prade is a Vice President in SKDKnickerbocker’s public affairs and strategic communications practice. Bianca’s work has led to several awards, including PR Newswire's...

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Scott Talan

Scott Talan

Assistant Professor

Scott Talan, MPA, is a full-time professor of Public & Strategic Communication. Scott is an expert in social media and personal branding honed through communications experience...

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Paula Weissman

Paula Weissman

Senior Professorial Lecturer

Paula Weissman is a full-time professor of Public Communication in the School of Communication.

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Doctor R.S. Zaharna

Dr. R.S. Zaharna

Associate Professor

Rhonda Zaharna is a Fulbright Scholar specializing in public diplomacy and intercultural and international strategic public communication, with an emphasis on culture and...

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Learn more about our accomplished faculty members. Call 855-725-7614 to speak to one of our admissions representatives or request more information.