Kerry O'Grady
Senior Lecturer
Business Communication Program
Education
Ed.D. in Education, Vanderbilt University, 2021
M.S. in Public Relations and Corporate Communications (with Distinction), New York University, 2011
B.A. in Journalism and English; Psychology Minor (Summa Cum Laude), University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2006
Academic Appointments
Senior Lecturer, Business Communications, The University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2025-present
Adjunct Instructor, Marketing Management (MBA), Holy Family University, 2025-present
Adjunct Instructor, Business Communications, Fordham University, 2024-25
Adjunct Instructor, Management Communications (Online), The University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2023-25
Director of Teaching Excellence, Columbia Business School, Columbia University, 2023-24
Teaching and Pedagogical Support Team, Columbia University, 2023-24
Faculty Director and Associate Professor of Practice, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Georgetown University, 2020-23
Faculty Lead and Clinical Assistant Professor of Public Relations and Corporate Communications, New York University, 2016-19
Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor of Public Relations and Corporate Communications, New York University, 2015-16
Adjunct Instructor of Integrated Marketing and Public Relations and Corporate Communications, New York University, 2011-15
Adjunct Instructor of Advertising and Public Relations, The Fashion Institute of Technology, 2014-15
Research Interests
Systemic Improvement in Higher Education
Leadership Development in Higher Education
Communication Practices in Higher Education
Leadership Communication
Authenticity and Transparency Effectiveness
Applied Practice in Public Relations
Adjunct Faculty Relations
Faculty Affairs
Root Cause Analysis
Pedological Innovation
Teaching Interests
Leadership Communications
Data-Driven Decision Making
Public Relations
Integrated Marketing
Marketing Management
Organizational Communication
Educator Development
Writing
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Pre-College
Awards
Winner, “Who’s Who in American Education”, Marquis, 2024
Inside Higher Ed, “Most Read Career Article of the Year”: “Getting a Grasp on Grade Grubbing”, 2023
Chronicle of Higher Education, “Popular Articles of the Year”: “The Student-Professor Dynamic Has Shifted”, 2023
Selected Speaker, U.S. Department of Education Listening Session: “Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965”, 2023
Finalist, Public Relations Today MVP Awards: “Taking Care of Toxic: An (Unconventional) Leader’s Guide”, 2022
Selected, National Lived Experience Task Force: The National Eating Disorder Association, 2022
Selected Keynote Speaker: The National Eating Disorder Association Annual Walk, 2022
Faculty Honors Recipient (via NYU President, Andrew Hamilton), 2018
The Public Relations Society of America – NY Chapter “15 Under 35” Award Winner, 2017
Selected Publications
(2024). Inside Higher Ed: “Teaching/Learning Centers Aren’t Dumping Grounds”
(2024). The Chronicle of Higher Education: “How to Get Your Students to Read”
(2023). Inside Higher Ed: “Getting a Grasp on Grade Grubbing”
(2023). Institution for PR: “Persuasion and The PR Practitioner: Are Trends in Behavioral Science Impacting Our Work?”
(2022). O’Dwyer’s: “Be a Leader, Not a Boss”