Juan Meng named UGA Athletic Association Endowed Professor, recipient of IPR Pathfinder Award
Juan Meng named UGA Athletic Association Endowed Professor, recipient of IPR Pathfinder Award
Juan Meng, professor of public relations and head of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Grady College, has been named a University of Georgia Athletic Association Endowed Professor based on her strong record of scholarship, instruction and outreach.
Meng was also recently named the recipient of the 2023 Institute for Public Relations Pathfinder Award for her significant and sustained contributions to the field of public relations through research, education and leadership.
“Juan continues to excel in many roles at the college, where she leads a productive and deeply skilled department while also continuing to produce scholarship at a high level,” said Charles N. Davis, dean of Grady College. “We’re delighted to bestow the UGA Athletic Association Endowed Professor honor upon her.”
Meng’s research specialization includes public relations leadership, leadership development, gender and leadership in public relations, diversity and inclusion in talent management, and global communication. She has published more than 75 refereed journal articles, scholarly book chapters and research reports on leadership-related topics, and three books, including most recently, “Strategic Communication in a Global Crisis: National and International Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” and PR Women with Influence: Breaking Through the Ethical and Leadership Challenges.
Recently, Meng was awarded a Emerald Literati Award for Outstanding Paper in 2023 by Emerald Publishing for her article, Ethical Challenges in an Evolving Digital Communication Era: Coping Resources and Ethics Trainings in Corporate Communications, published in Corporate Communications: An International Journal.
Meng serves on the national advisory board of The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations and leads several signature research projects funded by The Plank Center, including the largest global study of PR leadership, Millennial Communication Professionals in the Workplace, the biennial Leadership Report Cards, the North American Communication Monitor and Women and Leadership in PR. Meng is an inaugural member of IPR ELEVATE, a group of PR leaders dedicated to advancing the research mission and insights-focused work for the industry.
“Dr. Meng’s dedication to the study of corporate communications and leadership in public relations has not only shaped the profession but also inspired others to follow in her footsteps,” said IPR President and CEO Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR. “Her remarkable achievements and leadership in our industry will continue to inspire future generations of public relations practitioners and academics.”
Meng founded Grady College’s Cooperative Education 3+1+1 program with Shanghai Normal University and Shanghai International Studies University and serves as the programs’ director and advisor.
Meng served as the Research Vice Chair on the executive leadership committee of the Educators Academy at Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 2022. She currently serves on the advisory board for Ragan Communications/PR Daily and is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society.
Meng earned her Ph.D. and MS degrees from the University of Alabama, an MA from Bowling Green State University and a BS from Fudan University in Shanghai, China.