Meg Piercy
Assistant Professor of Practice
Meg Piercy is an assistant professor of practice in the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, where she teaches courses in strategy, design, and professional development. She brings over 15 years of experience in strategic communication, brand development, and community-engaged pedagogy. A specialist in advertising, public relations, and insights-driven storytelling, Piercy has built a nationally recognized profile as both a creative strategist and academic leader, shaping curriculum and student agency work across the Appalachian region.
Before joining the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Piercy served as program head of brand communication, director of student internships, and advisor of industry-related student organizations at a regional university. She also taught Adobe Certified Professional courses and launched and directed a student agency, an interdisciplinary initiative connecting students and faculty with real-world clients across public, nonprofit, and industry sectors. Under her leadership, the agency expanded to include multiple operational divisions—from strategic insights and digital media to full-service creative production— delivering strategic communication outcomes for regional clients and generating billable student-led work within its first year.
Piercy’s teaching is rooted in experiential learning and outcomes-driven instruction. Her courses are designed to simulate professional environments where students manage client relationships, conduct audience research, develop integrated campaigns, and deliver strategic solutions to real stakeholders. Through this approach, students gain hands-on portfolio work, build cross-functional teamwork skills, and develop a professional presence before graduation. She has led students to national recognition as a multi-year co-advisor for the American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), where her teams earned first place in AAF District 7 and consistently placed among the top nationally.
Her academic portfolio is grounded in public service and applied communication. She has received grant support for innovation in teaching and the integration of AI technologies, and federal funding for digital literacy and media training in rural Appalachia, including co-authoring a $200,000+ Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant to expand digital access and education. She has also led national student immersive experiences and a study abroad program in Dubai, exploring global public relations and branding in transnational contexts. Most recently, Piercy’s academic and research interests have expanded through international partnerships in Budapest, Hungary, to examine and enhance education opportunities for Roma students in the US and Northeast Tennessee.
Piercy holds an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University and a BA in Communication from UVA-Wise. She is an Adobe Certified Professional and an active member of the Public Relations Society of America, the American Advertising Federation, and the Digital Marketing Institute. She also works with Thought Catalyst, LLC, as a creative strategist.
Whether in the classroom, studio, or field, Piercy is committed to mentoring the next generation of advertising and public relations professionals to think critically, collaborate across disciplines, and lead with creativity and compassion. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to the mission of regional universities and the power of strategic storytelling to impact both community and culture.
Education
- Master of Science, Integrated Marketing Communications, West Virginia University
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication, University of Virginia’s College at Wise
Research Interests
Public Relations in Appalachia
- Social media in rural Appalachia
- Digital media access and literacy in rural communities
- Communication for underserved Appalachian communities
- Representation and visual storytelling in media
- Framing rural consumers