Andrew M. Abernathy

(he/him/his)

Assistant Professor

Media & Strategic Communications

BIO & RESEARCH INTERESTs

Andrew M. Abernathy is an assistant professor at OSU's School of Media & Strategic Communications. Abernathy conducts mixed-methods research at the intersection of teaching, learning, media, and society. His research in experiantial and equity-oriented remediation in journalism & mass communication received the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication's 2023 Campbell Research Award, and his current research interests explore the ethical integration generative AI in creative and classroom contexts, media literacy, and alternative assessment methods. His research has been published in Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, Journal of Media Education, Teaching Journalism & Mass Communication, and the Journal of Marketing Communication

 

A former journalist and public relations practitioner, Abernathy worked in professional media roles for more than 15 years before joining the OSU faculty in 2020. His professional work has been published by more than 50 publications and has been recognized by the National Association of Business Publications Editors, the Southern Public Relations Federation, the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters, and more.

 

His primary teaching interests include introductory and advanced media writing, campaign planning, market research and more. In 2024, Abernthy received the CAS Outstanding Club Advisor for his work with OSU's Strategic Communications Club. He served as a 2024-25 research group fellow with the OSU Center for Humanities and was a 2025 finalist for OSU's Regents Distinguished Teaching Award. He curently serves as a Community News Champion with the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont. 

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY APPOINTMENTS

  • Assistant Professor
    Oklahoma State University, Media & Strategic Communications, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United StatesMay 2023 - present

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
    Oklahoma State University, School of Media & Strategic Communication, Stillwater, United States17 Aug 2020 - 31 May 2023
  • Adjunct Instructional Assistant Professor
    University of Mississippi, School of Journalism & New Media, Oxford, United StatesJan 2016 - Aug 2020

NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Manager of Marketing & Communications
    University of Mississippi, School of Education, Oxford, United States6 Jul 2017 - Aug 2020
  • Communications Specialist
    University of Mississippi, Oxford, United States16 Feb 2012 - 5 Jul 2017
  • Associate Editor
    PMQ, Inc., Oxford, Mississippi, United States14 May 2009 - 16 Feb 2012

DEGREES

  • Doctor of Education (2022)
    University of Mississippi, Oxford, United States
  • Master of Arts (2010)
    University of Mississippi, Oxford, United States
  • Bachelor of Arts (2008)
    University of Mississippi, Oxford, United States

CERTIFICATIONS

  • SEO Certification
    HubSpot
  • Human Subjects Research
    Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
  • Adult Mental Health First Aid
    National Council for Mental Wellbeing

CAMPUS

  • Oklahoma State University - Stillwater

AVAILABILITY

  • Media inquiries
  • Masters or PhD research supervision
  • Speaking engagements
  • Teaching opportunities
  • Undergraduate research supervision
  • Collaborative projects
  • Membership of an advisory committee
  • Inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) support

DEPARTMENT

  • Media & Strategic Communications

FIELDS OF RESEARCH