Academic Leadership · Education
Institutional impact
A look at Dr. Ellis' scholar-practitioner’s path through endowed leadership, curriculum innovation, and experiential learning — grounded in three degrees and one interdisciplinary foundation.
Professional appointments · Most recent first
Academic leadership
North Carolina Central University
3 YearsWells Fargo Endowed Chair / Distinguished Professor of Public Relations
Revitalized the role through curriculum innovation, industry engagement, experiential learning, and global academic opportunities.
Selected accomplishments
- Refreshed and redesigned a signature public relations course into an integrated marketing communications curriculum aligned with contemporary industry practice.
- Integrated artificial intelligence into the curriculum, addressing emerging technologies and their implications for communications.
- Established the inaugural Public Relations Advisory Council, engaging corporate executives, global agencies, and local institutions.
- Developed and proposed international study abroad experiences in London and Ghana.
- Led immersive student experiences in Los Angeles and Dallas.
- Facilitated industry engagement with USC, UCLA, Cal State, Warner Bros., Paramount, Weber Shandwick, and the Los Angeles Rams.
- Connected students with corporate communications executives, agency leaders, and recruiting teams.
Awaiting original · NCCU students in Los Angeles Awaiting original · PR Advisory Council Awaiting original · Classroom / lecture Lipscomb University
10 YearsDepartment of Communication and Journalism · Professor of Public Relations
Served as the department’s full-time public relations professor, overseeing the core public relations curriculum and advancing experiential learning.
Selected accomplishments
- Taught public relations capstone and practicum courses.
- Redesigned and developed new courses within the public relations major.
- Launched a student-led public relations agency.
- Served as advisor to the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter.
- Established a regional public relations conference attracting students and professionals.
- Secured conference sponsorships, including Nissan and Yelp.
- Guest lectured in business and marketing courses.
- Served as an adjunct lecturer in the master’s program in civic leadership, teaching leadership communication, technology, multicultural communication, and storytelling.
Awaiting original · Student agency Awaiting original · Conference Awaiting original · Classroom
Academic credentials
Three degrees. One interdisciplinary foundation.
Doctoral degree
University of Southern California
Rossier School of Education
Global Executive Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
An intensive executive doctoral program integrating global immersion, applied dissertation research from the first day of coursework, and advanced study in policy, finance, innovation, and strategy.
Dissertation: Intercultural competence among senior public relations leaders across multinational organizations with a cultural diversity imperative.
Developed an intercultural competence framework influenced by Dr. Darla Deardroff designed to help organizations evaluate cultural effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Research conducted in collaboration with the Arthur W. Page Society, engaging more than 125 multinational leaders through surveys and interviews.
Master’s degree
Middle Tennessee State University
Master of Science in Communication · Public Relations
Completed a professional project serving as a thesis: a public relations playbook for NFL rookies, integrating communication theory with the applied realities of professional athlete publicity and reputation management.
The program was instrumental in solidifying the decision to pursue a career in higher education.
Bachelor’s degree
Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Science · Journalism / Mass Communication
The beginning of a career spanning public relations, media, entrepreneurship, and academia. Multiple internships, including an opportunity that developed into a full-time position shortly after graduation.
Returning to the institution
- 01
Cumulus Media — Promotions / Marketing Director
Following graduation, transitioned from internship experience into a full-time position overseeing marketing and promotions for a three-station cluster in Alabama.
- 02
Interim Radio Operations Manager — Tennessee State University
Returned approximately one year after graduation to lead radio operations and facilitate the convergence of the university radio station into a digital platform during the early digital boom in 2005.
- 03
Public Information Officer — Department of Media Relations
Returned to support university communications, crisis communication, faculty research storytelling, grant-related communications, data-driven storytelling, and institutional events.
- 04
Advisory Board Member — Department of Mass Communication
Returned to the department as an advisory board member and contributed to the revitalization of the academic program toward an integrated marketing communications focus.