Deborah Thigpen
- deborah.thigpen@famu.edu
- PHONE
- 850-561-2528
- OFFICE
- Division Of Journalism
SJGC Bldg., Room #3031
Monday & Wednesday: 4 p.m. - 5 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.
Dr. Deborah Thigpen has more than 40 years of journalism and public relations experience and instructs students in the following areas: reporting and writing, introduction to public relations, and PR research and strategies.
“Serving as a 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 & Graphic Communication,” Thigpen said. “I’m proud to educate at a powerful transformative system of teaching and socialization.”
She started Thigpen & Associates, 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.
Thigpen received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Bowling Green State University. She earned her Master of Arts in Organizational Management and Doctor of Management (2011) from the University of Phoenix.
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.
- News writing and reporting
- Covering faith-based organization
- Africana studies
- Mentoring entrepreneurs
- University of Phoenix
Doctor of Management - University of Phoenix
M.A. in Organizational Management - Boston University
Master of Mass Communications, ABT - Bowling Green State University
B.S. in Journalism/Business Administration
- Adjunct Professor • 2021 - Present
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL - Assistant Visiting Professor • 2021 - 2024
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
- Advisor, Journey magazine (SJGC
- Partner, Plank Center for Public Relations
- Co-Advisor, NABJ Student Chapter
- Participant, SJGC Writing Lab
- Participant, Small Business Institute
- Roundtable panelist, "Empowering entrepreneurs: Unveiling the triumphs and challenges of African American women in small business, Orlando (2024)
- Mentor, Non-traditional adult learner, University of Texas, San Antonio, Mentoring Forum
- Pariticipant, Empowering Youth for Leadership, University of Houston Downtown Upward BoundProgram/Houston Area Urban League/World Youth Foundation
- Pariticipant, Women Entrepreneurs Workshop, Just Because, Inc., Houston
- Small Business Administration’s National Minority Small Business Person of the Year
- John Adams High School Alumni Association Leadership Appreciation Ward, Cleveland
- University of Houston Downtown Upward Bound Outstanding Leadership Award
- “Nation’s Top Businesses” by DiversityBusiness.com
- “Top 10 Women Business Owners in Northeast Ohio," National Association of Women Business Owners
- Cleveland Municipal School District Hall of Fame inductee
- “Top Ten Rainmaker in Ohio,” Live Publications
- Martin Luther King Jr. Award, Outstanding Community Leader, Case Western Reserve University, African American Archives Auxiliary
- 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 I
