Lessons Learned with Dennis Kinsey

Dennis Kinsey, a distinguished figure in the field of public relations, serves as a professor of public relations at the Newhouse School.

Kinsey is from the small town of East Liverpool, Ohio, where he attended East Liverpool High School. During his early academic years he wasn’t interested in most subjects, but a special topic political science class in high school caught his attention.

“The class was quite different from the typical education I received in K-12. It was a political science course, which I don’t believe is commonly offered at that level,” Kinsey said.   

Little did he know this class would spark an entire career in political science.   

Kinsey earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science from Kent State University, followed by a Ph.D. in communication from Stanford University. Reflecting on his experiences, Kinsey noted that the most challenging part of his academic career was navigating Stanford’s rigorous doctoral program.   

“Fortunately, I had a great advisor who would not allow me to fail,” Kinsey recalled. “He kept on top of it, kept pushing me, helped correct things and pointed me in the right direction.”   

One of Kinsey’s proudest moments was publishing his first academic article as a master’s student. This early success solidified his passion for research and set the stage for a fulfilling academic career. The tough piece of advice he attributes to his successes? “Stop crying. Don’t be a baby.”   

Kinsey’s career path was influenced by a desire to share knowledge and inspire others. While working in political consulting, he found himself drawn to research but was frustrated by the limitations of proprietary work, he said. This led him to pursue a career in public relations and teaching, where he could freely share his findings with the broader public.   

His decision to eventually become an academic advisor was inspired by a mentor who possessed a unique ability to encourage and support high-achieving scholars, Kinsey recalled. He said he admired his mentor’s wisdom and guidance, recognizing the impact a mentor can have on a student’s academic journey.  

Kinsey often shares advice he’d learned over years of academic rigor with his students at Newhouse, emphasizing the importance of maintaining perspective, learning from failures and striving for continuous improvement.  

“Failing is not bad; failing shows progress,” he said.  

Kinsey also focuses on helping students defend their doctoral dissertations.  

“I don’t have the same pressure to maintain a research agenda, so I focus on helping doctoral students get started,” he said. “Often, it’s a Q-methodology study because they want to learn how to conduct one, and I have some experience with this method.” 

Kinsey has many interests outside of academia, including expressing himself creatively through music and art. He enjoys painting and sells his pieces on his website. A talented guitarist, he has been the head of Hondo Mesa Records since 2003. 

He also has a passion for storytelling, which benefits him in his career in public relations. He has a love for movies, especially anything with actor Denzel Washington, but has a tough time choosing a favorite. 

“I like movies a lot so I could list a zillion of them,” he joked.  

When it comes to television, Kinsey loves the show “Breaking Bad,” admiring the depth and complexity of the characters. His ability to appreciate diverse forms of art and storytelling is reflected in his successful career as a mentor. 

“The character development is awesome. When [Breaking Bad] started, I disliked this one character-Jessie-and I liked Walter, but as it moved along it flipped on me, and I changed,” he said.  

Kinsey’s journey from a small-town student to a renowned academic and mentor proves his passion for learning and his dedication to guiding others. Through constant support and creative outlets, he continues to inspire and shape the next generation of scholars at the Newhouse School.