Corey Hickerson

Corey Hickerson, Ph.D., is a Professor and graduate director of the Communication and Advocacy master’s program at James Madison University’s School of Communication Studies. He teaches strategic communication and public relations at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His research focuses on communication pedagogy, privacy issues, stakeholder engagement, and technology’s role in communication. He has authored award-winning works, including Cases in Public Relations: Translating Ethics into Action, co-authored with Brigitta Brunner, which won the NCA PRIDE Book of the Year Award. Dr. Hickerson has received prestigious accolades such as the JMU Carl Harter Distinguished Professorship and Provost’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising.

His research spans topics like faculty preparedness for academic roles, digital tools in education (e.g., wikis, instant messaging), and environmental communication strategies. He actively integrates technology into teaching through ePortfolios and online platforms. Beyond research and teaching, he contributes to institutional service and mentoring graduate students.

Notable contributions include exploring dialogic public relations via wikis, analyzing oral communication assessment methods, and investigating the challenges faced by new communication faculty. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical applications in higher education and professional communication fields.