Faculty:BA in Journalism and Mass Communication in Public Relations

Dr. Bruhn teaches undergraduate courses in public relations strategy, PR campaigns, and research. She also teaches courses in the MAC graduate program. She earned her doctorate from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Ball State University and an undergraduate degree in communications from Valparaiso University. She is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. Prior to joining the Drake faculty in 2009, Bruhn created award-winning campaigns for Verizon Wireless and various nonprofit organizations. In 2013, she was recognized by the Des Moines chapter of the Public Relations Society of America as outstanding chapter member, and she served as the 2018 Central Iowa PRSA Chapter president. Her research interests include public relations pedagogy and agency-client relationships.

Konfrst teaches Public Relations, Strategic Political Communication, and core journalism courses. She also contributes to the MAC graduate program. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Drake, and is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. Konfrst brings more than 20 years of professional experience to the classroom. She has experience working on political campaigns, in a U.S. Senate office, in public affairs, and with communications in political contexts and regarding political issues. Prior to joining the journalism faculty in 2013, Konfrst most recently worked at Iowa Public Television. There she led the network’s brand strategy, cross-platform promotion, media relations, crisis communication, and promotion to other PBS stations across the country. She served as the statewide network’s spokesperson, and worked extensively as an on-air host. Konfrst was selected as the national PBS Communications Professional of the Year in 2007. She currently serves in the Iowa House of Representatives. Her research interests include political communication and public relations pedagogy.

Henry teaches creative advertising, visual communication, and multimedia capstone classes. Prior to joining the SJMC faculty in 2007, Henry amassed more than 20 years of experience in creative advertising and marketing, in both agencies and in-house environments. Her clients have covered the spectrum, from a major grocery store chain to a nonprofit arts organization to one of the world’s largest agricultural seed companies. Henry is active with the Interactive Media and Emerging Technology division of the Broadcast Education Association. Her research interests include advertising and multimedia pedagogy and Super Bowl ads.

Snider joined Drake full-time in 2010 and teaches classes in web design, social media strategy, multimedia, and digital strategy. Prior to teaching, he was assistant managing editor for digital and innovation at The Des Moines Register, where he was a leader in how media companies use social media, live content and mobile. He continues to be recognized as a national leader in social media and digital innovation. He collaborates with faculty from entrepreneurship, math, and computer science in the Drake Innovation Studio and does web design and digital marketing for Des Moines companies.

Van Wyke teaches journalism classes in multimedia reporting, editing, and visual communication. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and her master’s in education from Drake. Prior to joining the faculty in 1997, Van Wyke had an 11-year career at The Des Moines Register as reporter, copy editor, and an assistant city editor. She has served as Drake SJMC’s internship coordinator and is the long-time advisor to the Times-Delphic, Drake’s student-run newspaper. She is a member of the Online News Association, Broadcast Education Association, College Media Advisers, Iowa College Media Association, and Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Her research interests involve multimedia journalism and journalism ethics.

Dr. Adae teaches undergraduate courses in public relations and graduate classes in the Master of Arts in Communication program. Prior to joining academia, he was a media and communication consultant in Ghana. He has more than 15 years of professional experience under his belt, with practical experience in promotional practices, including public relations, advertising, brand development and management, event management, and strategic change communication. His professional experience spans diverse contexts, such as in-house strategic communication departments, PR consultancies, advertising and branding agencies, Ghana’s private and public sectors, and the USAID and World Bank systems in the West African subregion. Dr. Adae holds a B.A. (with honors) in Sociology with English (1994) and a Master of Philosophy degree (in Communication Studies), both from the University of Ghana (2009); and a Ph.D. in Media Studies from the University of Oregon (2020). He is an accredited member of the Institute of Public Relations (Ghana). He is associated with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (Ghana) and the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG).

Professor McCoy teaches strategic political communication and public relations courses at Drake. Prior to joining the faculty in 2022, McCoy worked in journalism and public relations for more than 20 years.

Her reporting experience included covering state and national politics for The Associated Press (AP). She was embedded with presidential candidates throughout the presidential nominating contests as well as reported extensively on Iowa’s state government agencies and the Iowa Statehouse. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and leading newspapers around the globe.

Following her time as a journalist, McCoy served as the spokesperson and information officer for one of the state’s largest government agencies, the Iowa Department of Human Services. She later represented the Iowa Department of Public Health at the Capitol as the agency’s legislative liaison/lobbyist. McCoy most recently continued her government career as public affairs manager for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, where she developed legislative strategies and stakeholder communication plans. Additionally, McCoy has worked in corporate communications serving as communications director for one of the Midwest’s largest employers, Hy-Vee Inc. There, she was part of a team that created public outreach strategies, planned high-profile events and managed media relations. Her research interests include studying how elected officials can more efficiently and effectively communicate with the public and leverage a wide range of media to encourage meaningful participation in the political process.