معرفی
Gemma Puglisi is a full-time Professor of Public Communication at American University's School of Communication with over 25 years of professional experience spanning broadcast news, public relations, entertainment, and financial sectors (including work as a market reporter/media relations specialist for Nasdaq). She serves as Faculty Advisor for the Public Relations Student Society of America and participates in university committees including the Mentoring Committee and Merit Committee.
Her educational background includes an MA in Drama from Catholic University of America and a BA in Music (magna cum laude) from Trinity University. Puglisi teaches courses including COMM-310 Public Speaking, COMM-394 Comm Service Learning Project, and COMM-437 Public Relations Portfolio for Spring and Fall 2025. Her teaching excellence has been recognized by multiple organizations including the Washington Post, the Washington Times, and the D.C. Mystics.
Professor Puglisi's research focuses on the role of women in communications fields, including broadcast journalism, print media, and public relations. Her work examines gender dynamics in newsrooms, drawing from interviews with prominent journalists like Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams, Connie Chung, Linda Ellerbee, and Susan Zirinsky. She has conducted international research in Florence, Italy on Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci. Her expertise is frequently sought for commentary on media issues, crisis public relations, and women in communications, with appearances on CNN International, Fox News, and XM-Satellite Radio.
Her publication portfolio demonstrates expertise across criminal justice reporting, broadcast journalism history, political communication, and innovative teaching methodologies, reflecting her commitment to connecting academic inquiry with real-world issues through service-learning projects.
- Knighted "Dame" (Cavaliere) by Italian Government 2006
- National Capital Chapter PRSA Hall of Fame Honoree
- PRNEWS Top Women in PR, Mentor
- American University's School of Communication's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Award
- Washington PR Woman of the Year
- Three Edelman "Great Performance Awards"
- Two Mercury Awards
- Sabre Award
Professor Puglisi has mentored students through service-learning projects with nonprofit organizations including "A Wider Circle," "Joseph's House," "DC Books to Prisons," and the US Marines' "Wounded Warrior Regiment." Her students have received recognition including a "Hometown Hero" award from the Washington Mystics. She actively participates in professional organizations including the National Press Club, COMITES (as Elected Member), COPILAS (on Board of Directors), and the Public Relations Society of America.
