Deborah Thigpen

SJGC Bldg. Room #3031

Monday/Wednesday • 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

For additional assistance, please set an appointment.

JOU 1112-001 Use of Information Resources • Mon. Wed. | 12:20 p.m. - 1:35 p.m.
JOU 1112-002 Use of Information Resources • Mon. Wed. | 2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

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Dr. Deborah Thigpen has more than 40 years of journalism and public relations experience and will instruct students in the following courses: Reporting & Writing I, Intro to Public Relations, and PR Research & Strategies.

“Serving as a visiting professor is my opportunity to help move our culture forward through the encouragement and education of the bright minds here at FAMU’s School for Journalism and Graphic Communication,” Thigpen said. “I’m proud to educate at a powerful transformative system of teaching and socialization.”

She started Thigpen & Adsociates, Inc., a public relations and marketing communications firm in 1988. Thigpen has consulted for EPA, Goodyear, Harris County Flood Control District, NASA, Ohio Lottery, The Cleveland Cavaliers, and others.

“I’m thrilled that Deborah Thigpen is joining the School of Journalism faculty,” said SJGC Dean Mira Lowe.“She brings a wealth of public relations and entrepreneurial knowledge that will aid our students in a major way. We are all excited to collaborate with Professor Thigpen to enrich students’ J-school experience.”

Thigpen received her B.S. in journalism from Bowling Green State University. She earned her M.A. in management and D.M. (2011) from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Thigpen also received executive training at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Boston University School of Mass Communications and Kent State University school of Journalism.

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• News Writing and Reporting Covering faith-based organization
• Africana Studies
• Mentoring Entrepreneurs

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• Adjunct Professor • 2021 - Present
  Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  
• Assistant Visiting Professor • 2021 - 2024
  Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

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FAMU SJGC
Advisor, Journey Magazine
Plank Center for Public Relations, Partner
C0-Advisor NABJ
SJGC Writing Lab
Small Business Institute
Roundtable. "Empowering Entrepreneurs: Unveiling the Triumphs and Challenges of African American Women in Small Business. 2024, Orlando , Fl
Mentoring the Non-Traditional Adult Learner, University of Texas, San Antonio Mentoring Forum
Empowering Youth for Leadership, University of Houston Downtown Upward Bound
Program/Houston Area Urban League/World Youth Foundation
Women Entrepreneurs Workshop, Just Because, Inc. Houston

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• Small Business Administration’s National Minority Small Business Person of the Year
• John Adams High School Alumni Association Leadership Appreciation, Cleveland, OH
• University of Houston Downtown Upward Bound Outstanding Leadership Award
• Nation’s Top Businesses, presented by DiversityBusiness.com
• Top 10 Women Business Owners in Northeast Ohio Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners
• Inducted into the Cleveland Municipal School District Hall of Fame
• Top Ten Rainmaker in Ohio, presented by Live Publications
• Martin Luther King Jr. Award, Outstanding Community Leader, presented by the Case Western Reserve University African American Archives Auxiliary

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• PUR 4800 Public Relations Agency
  
• PUR 4500 PR Research and Strategies
  
• PUR 3105 Public Relations Communication
  
• MMC 3603 Strategic Communications
  
• PUR 3000 Introduction to Public Relations
  
• JOU 2100 Reporting and Writing l

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• PR Pro Deborah Thigpen Joins SJGC as Visiting Professor - Florida A&M University (famusjgc.com)