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
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
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
Adjunct Instructor
Rajul Mistry Bhaskar is a communications consultant and American University professor in the School of Communication.
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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
Adjunct Instructor
Dr. Curtis Carey is an adjunct professor of Public and Strategic Communication at American University.
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Senior Professorial Lecturer
Paula Weissman is a full-time professor of Public Communication in the School of Communication.
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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...
View ProfileLearn more about our accomplished faculty members. Call 855-725-7614 to speak to one of our admissions representatives or request more information.
