From investigative journalism to public relations: Auburn alumna shares lessons from a storied career
Auburn University journalism alumna Nancy Dennis shares invaluable insights from her dynamic career as both an esteemed journalist and public relations professional.
Dennis graduated from Auburn with a degree in journalism and minors in marketing and political science. While at Auburn, she wrote for The Auburn Plainsman and interned at a small-town newspaper in Millbrook, Alabama. Dennis fondly remembers the hard work she put in during her four years at Auburn and credits that experience with giving her the foundation to step into the world of professional journalism.
“I went to graduation, walked and went right back to work,” Dennis said.
After graduation, Dennis joined The Alabama Journal, where her team won the Pulitzer Prize for their investigative series Death in the Family. The series examined Alabama’s devastatingly high infant mortality rates in some of the state’s poorest communities through the lens of mothers’ personal stories. Dennis and her team transformed statistics into gripping human narratives, raising public awareness about an often-overlooked issue.
In 1996, Dennis transitioned to public relations, balancing her role as a mother with a profession that allowed her to continue utilizing her writing and communication skills. She served as the director of public relations for the Alabama Retail Association, where she handled media relations, writing and strategic communication.
Dennis credits her success to her passion for asking questions, observing details and engaging in genuine, face-to-face conversations.
“There is no substitute for getting to know people — understanding where they live, where they work and where their heart is,” Dennis said. “Nothing beats good old-fashioned research.”
Dennis recently announced her retirement from public relations, along with her departure from the PR Advisory Council. In her retirement, she plans to begin writing books and hopes to stay engaged with the Auburn community by speaking to students and aspiring professionals interested in journalism, public relations and storytelling.
For more information or to inquire about speaking engagements with Nancy Dennis, contact Terri Knight at trk0001@auburn.edu.
Tags: Alumni Communication and Journalism
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