معرفی
Matt Charles serves as Online Graduate Program Director and Lecturer at Purdue University, bringing extensive crisis management expertise from his role as former deputy spokesperson for the University of Virginia during the 2017 Unite the Right rally and other critical incidents. His career bridges academic instruction with high-stakes operational experience in government and law enforcement contexts.
Holding a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) and Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credentials, Charles previously directed media relations at UVA Darden School of Business where his reputation management contributed to the school's #1 ranking. His foundational experience includes serving as a New York City special investigator handling sex and drug crimes involving children.
Charles' research examines crisis response frameworks, institutional risk mitigation, and strategic communication during civil unrest. His work addresses practical challenges like university gun violence prevention through initiatives such as the Consortium 120 working group for Washington DC universities, while developing training protocols adopted by the US Department of State and Drug Enforcement Administration.
His notable recognition includes:
- Fulbright Fellowship support for international crisis management research
As an active educator and practitioner, Charles recently published the case-study book "Shit Show: An Unexpected Life in Crisis and Risk Management" and provides strategic counsel to higher education institutions, government agencies, and multinational corporations on communication risk assessment and response protocols.
