Melanie Formentin

Melanie Formentin, Ph.D., APR, is an accomplished academic and professional in the field of public relations. She served as an Associate Professor at Towson University for seven years, teaching various public relations courses including writing, corporate communication management, and capstone-level campaigns.1

Academic Background and Expertise

Dr. Formentin's research focuses on several key areas:

• Relationship management theory
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Care ethics
• Audience perspectives in building relationships and measuring organizational success1

She is known for her emphasis on bridging theory and practice, which is reflected in her teaching approach and research interests.

Teaching Philosophy and Impact

During her time at Towson University, Dr. Formentin was deeply committed to preparing students for industry careers. She:

• Served as a faculty internship supervisor, academic advisor, and mentor
• Implemented service-learning and semester-long projects to build students' professional portfolios
• Incorporated guest speakers and professional development experiences to create networking opportunities1

Dr. Formentin was particularly concerned with addressing inequities in the internship process, recognizing the challenges faced by diverse student populations, including first-generation, immigrant, and non-traditional students.1

Professional Involvement

Outside of her academic role, Dr. Formentin:

• Remains an active member of her local PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) chapters
• Holds the APR (Accredited in Public Relations) credential
• Emphasizes creating transferable, practical experiences for students1

Current Position

As of the most recent information available, Dr. Formentin has transitioned from academia to industry. She currently works as a Consumer Insight Senior Analyst for Disney Cruise Line.23

Throughout her career, Dr. Formentin has demonstrated a commitment to values-based and solutions-oriented strategic communication, bringing years of industry experience to her academic work and now applying her research skills in a corporate setting.2