Scott Talan

Scott Talan is an Assistant Professor of Public Relations & Strategic Communication at American University's School of Communication. Specializing in social media, personal branding, and digital media, he integrates real-world experience from TV news, politics, nonprofits, and higher education into teaching. He holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, a BA in Political Science and Economics from UC Davis, and broadcast journalism training from Stanford University.

Education:

• Harvard University: Master in Public Administration (Kennedy School)
• University of California, Davis: BA in Political Science & Economics
• Stanford University: TV News Certificate

Research focuses on social media's role in education, personal branding, and employer recruitment practices. Notable contributions include a TED-x talk on recruitment awareness and a 'Last Lecture' on personal branding. He emphasizes innovative teaching methods, using platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter since 2005.

Awards:

• Jack Child Teaching with Technology Award (2016)
• Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholar

Advising and grants: Faculty advisor to the Social Media Club. Led student projects such as Comm Kid (movie trailer), SOC Style (music video), and a Fashion Magazine Capstone. Prior roles include adjunct teaching at George Washington and Johns Hopkins Universities, plus international teaching in China and Japan.

Labs/teams: Collaborates with students on media literacy and branding initiatives through classroom projects and interdisciplinary collaborations.