Dr. Juan Meng
Dr. Juan Meng is the University of Georgia Athletic Association Endowed Professor and professor of public relations in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She has been the head of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations since fall 2022.
Juan’s research specialization includes public relations leadership, leadership development, diversity and leadership in PR, measurement in PR and global communication. As a board member at The Plank Center, Juan has led several signature research projects funded by the Center, including the largest global study of PR leadership, Millennial Communication Professionals in the Workplace, the biennial Leadership Report Cards, the biennial North American Communication Monitor and Women and Leadership in PR.
Juan has published more than 75 refereed journal articles, scholarly book chapters and research reports on leadership-related topics. She has published four scholarly books, including “Strategic Communication and the Global Pandemic“ (2025), “Strategic Communication in a Global Crisis“ (2023), “PR Women with Influence: Breaking through the Ethical and Leadership Challenges“ (2021) and “Public Relations Leaders as Sensemakers: A Global Study of Leadership in Public Relations and Communication Management” (2014). Juan has presented at various panels, workshops, webinars and symposiums and won different research awards nationally and internationally. She serves on the national and international editorial advisory boards for leading scholarly journals in public relations, including the “Journal of Public Relations Research,” “Public Relations Review,” “International Journal of Strategic Communication,” and “Corporate Communications: An International Journal,” among others.
Juan was the founder of UGA‘s Go Global Choose China program and directed the program from 2014 to 2018. She also founded and directs UGA’s Cooperative Education 3+1+1 programs with Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai International Studies University in Shanghai, China and the National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan. She currently directs UGA’s Cannes Lions International Creativity Festival study abroad program each June.
Juan serves on the Board of Trustees at the Institute for Public Relations. She served as the research vice chair on the executive leadership committee of the Educators Academy Section Leadership at the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 2021-2022. She served on the national advisory board for Ragan Communications and PR Daily from 2021 to 2024. She is a fellow at the UGA Women’s Leadership Fellows Program, the Office of Service-Learning and the UGA Teaching Academy. She is an elected member of the Arthur W. Page Society. She is the recipient of the 2023 Institute of Public Relations Pathfinder Award for her significant and sustainable contributions to the body of knowledge and practice of public relations.