Hua Jiang named Newhouse Endowed Chair of Public Communications

Hua Jiang, associate professor of public relations at the Newhouse School, has been named the Newhouse Endowed Chair of Public Communications for 2022-25. The position is awarded to a distinguished faculty member whose accomplishments significantly advance the school’s reputation in research and creative activity.

“Dr. Jiang is an outstanding scholar, and this endowed position will allow her to elevate her already outstanding work,” says Newhouse dean Mark J. Lodato. “We are fortunate to have her as a part of the Newhouse School faculty.”

Jiang holds a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research interests include employee communication, social media engagement, corporate social responsibility, corporate social advocacy and the use of artificial intelligence in mental health campaigns.

Jiang has published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, with her work appearing in leading refereed journals like Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, Communication Research, International Journal of Business Communication, Environmental Communication, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Journal of Product and Brand Management, Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Journal of Health Communication and Telematics and Informatics, among others. She serves on the editorial board of the top three public relations journals: Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review and Public Relations Journal (PRSA journal). She has received over 10 top paper awards and research recognitions from national and international flagship communication associations.

As the endowed chair, Jiang will work on her project, Strategic Mental Health Campaigns: Audiences, Messages, and Channels. The study looks at mental health problems as public health challenges, including the help-seeking behaviors of those with mental health issues, and public advocacy for mental health policy. Jiang will examine communication-related factors that contribute to these behavioral outcomes and use research findings to inform future communication campaigns. She will target diverse audiences, explore messaging strategies central to effective communication campaigns and leverage communication channels that empower affected communities.

“I hope to produce research that benefits our students, the Newhouse School, Syracuse University and the larger community. I am enormously grateful for this incredible honor,” Jiang says.