Brenda K. Foster

Brenda K. Foster is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Communication at American University, bringing over 20 years of expertise in strategic communications for government, university, foundation, and nonprofit organizations. She also serves as Senior Vice President and Chief of Innovation at Vanguard Communications, a Washington, DC-based firm focused on promoting social issues. Her career highlights include leading campaigns for the establishment of a national monument in Southern Utah, reforming America’s food system, and combating mental health-related discrimination.

• B.A. in Journalism, Penn State University
• M.P.A., George Mason University

Her research and practice intersect with strategic communications, social advocacy, and political messaging, reflected in courses like COMM-629 Capstone in Political Communication (Spring 2025) and COMM-439 Political Communication (Fall 2025). Her co-authored work on communications measurement, Evaluating Social Change, underscores her commitment to evaluating societal impact through media.

Notable honors include her 2024 induction into the PRSA-NCC Hall of Fame and a finalist nomination for the Washington Women in PR Woman of the Year Award. Outside academia, she held leadership roles as former Chair of the Manassas Park City School Board and currently serves as a Wish Granter for Mid-Atlantic Make-A-Wish.