Former White House Press Secretary Will Share Best Practices in Political Communications

WASHINGTON – Dana Perino, White House press secretary to George W. Bush from 2007-2009, has been named to GW’s Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) adjunct faculty for Strategic Public Relations (SPR) in the fall 2010 semester. Ms. Perino will teach a master class in political communications on advocacy, politics and public affairs.

“To say that we were delighted that Dana is coming on board to share her expertise with our students would be an understatement,” said Larry Parnell, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Strategic Public Relations. “She represents exactly what our program and the Graduate School of Political Management is all about – combining practical experience and sound academics to provide our students with actionable, cutting edge learning in strategic public relations and political management.”

Ms. Perino served for seven years in the Bush Administration. She was the first Republican woman to hold the position of White House Press Secretary. Before taking over the podium from the late Tony Snow, Ms. Perino served as the principal deputy press secretary, director of communications for the White House Council on Environmental Quality and spokesperson at the Department of Justice. Ms. Perino’s political communications experience also includes working on Capitol Hill.

Ms. Perino served for seven years in the Bush Administration. She was the first Republican woman to hold the position of White House Press Secretary. Before taking over the podium from the late Tony Snow, Ms. Perino served as the principal deputy press secretary, director of communications for the White House Council on Environmental Quality and spokesperson at the Department of Justice. Ms. Perino’s political communications experience also includes working on Capitol Hill for Rep. Dan Schaefer (R-CO) and Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO).

“I am looking forward to having an engaging dialogue with students in this dynamic program,” said Ms. Perino. “I'll be inviting many of my White House colleagues and journalists to join in our discussion of contemporary politics and news media. While no one has all the answers for managing communications with all of the new ways we talk to one another, this collective group discussion will get us several steps closer to better practices."

Currently, Ms. Perino is the president of her own strategic communications firm, Dana Perino and Company, and a Fox News contributor. President Obama has nominated her to the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the governing board of all U.S. broadcast services, including Voice of America. Ms. Perino is also the founder of “Minute Mentoring,” an organization focused on giving professional guidance to young women starting their careers, and she serves on the board of Mothers Day Every Day and Running Start. Ms. Perino graduated from Colorado State University – Pueblo, with a B.A. in mass communications and received her master’s in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.

Ms. Perino’s class will be open to select SPR and GSPM students who have completed most of their core courses and are nearing graduation. Tracy Schario, APR, will be assisting Ms. Perino in administrating the class.

The Graduate School of Political Management offers graduate programs in political management, legislative affairs, public relations and PAC management, as well as international programs in Latin America and Europe. The school seeks to improve politics by educating its students and professionals about the tools, principles and values of participatory democracy; preparing them for careers as ethical and effective advocates and leaders at the international, national and local levels. The Master’s Program in Strategic Public Relations is in its third year and has seen dramatic growth in its courses, student population and national recognition.

For more information about GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, visit: www.gwu.edu/gspm.