Lorra M. Brown

Lorra M. Brown serves as assistant professor of advertising and public relations and director of online digital communication graduate certificates at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. She teaches courses in public relations writing, reputation management, integrated marketing communication and corporate social responsibility.

Brown has more than 30 years of experience across senior agency roles, strategic consulting and higher education. Before moving into academia, she worked as a senior executive with Weber Shandwick and Ogilvy, leading integrated campaigns, product launches, and advocacy initiatives in travel, healthcare, sports and consumer sectors.

She now works with students and professionals at all career stages to strengthen their skills, resilience, adaptability and leadership.

Before joining UNC Hussman, Brown developed online, hybrid and traditional public relations and integrated marketing communication curriculum and programs at William Paterson University in New Jersey. She served as tenured associate professor, internship coordinator, graduate program director and PRSSA advisor. Her career development, alumni engagement, speaker programs and recruitment efforts earned several university awards for student-focused leadership and service.

She builds industry-aligned curriculum and cross-discipline partnerships that create experiential learning, career readiness, portfolio development and direct access to employers. Her mentorship and internship pipelines support students as they prepare for competitive and diverse career paths.

Brown’s current work focuses on the future of leadership communication, disruption across PR and IMC, and education at the intersection of artificial intelligence, stakeholder trust and digital influence. She contributes research and thought leadership on AI governance, executive communication, corporate social responsibility, civic engagement, curriculum innovation, career readiness and work/life balance. Her writing and presentations appear in PRSA Strategies & Tactics, PRSay, LinkedIn and a variety of other industry venues.

She brings a cross-disciplinary and practical approach to teaching, industry collaboration and professional development, helping people communicate with purpose, expand their networks and build the judgment, versatility, curiosity and relationships that support long-term success and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives.

Education

• M.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University 
• B.A., Commonwealth University-Mansfield