Feature Stories
Adrienne Wallace '01, '05, & '08
Adrienne Wallace, is the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Educator Award. Alumni nominate a faculty member who has had a significant impact on the careers of alumni, and the Grand Valley Alumni Association presents the award annually over Homecoming weekend.
Adrienne Wallace, associate professor of advertising and public relations, has a passion for student-to-professional development. She has taught at GVSU for more than 14 years, and advises the GVSU Public Relations Student Society of America chapter and its award-winning student-run PR firm, GrandPR. She serves as the Ad&PR Internship Director and the Bateman Competition faculty advisor. To keep lessons relevant for learners, she also works for BlackTruck Media & Marketing as a Digital Strategist.
Outside of work, Wallace has held many board positions for the Public Relations Society of America and its West Michigan chapter. She is also a Planning Commissioner for the City of Grand Rapids and a Kopenhaver Center Fellow. Wallace was named PR Practitioner of the Year by the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America and received a PRSSA Teahan Award for National Outstanding Adviser of the Year in 2019.
Wallace graduated from GVSU in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in health communications and advertising & public relations, in 2005 with a master’s degree in communications, and in 2008 with a Master of Public Administration in public policy. She earned a Ph.D. in public affairs, policy, and administration from Western Michigan University in 2018.
Wallace is a prolific writer, conference speaker, and volunteer and truly the model of excellence in education. In 2021, she received the GVSU Outstanding Academic Advising and Student Services Award and was named the GVSU Student Life Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year. One of her former students shared about Wallace, “I have never had a professor be such a constant support system and mentor to me. Not only professionally with career advice and tips in the field, but also personally thorough mental health and confidence. I would not be where I am without her guidance.”
Interest Area(s)
Adv Public Relations, Communications, Public and Nonprofit Admin
Share this spotlight
Return to the listing of feature stories.