Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Mass Communications, 2010, University of Iowa
Dissertation: “Immigrant family, national borders: mainstream and diasporic news media, audiences, and the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act”
Advisor: Sujatha Sosale Committee: Gigi Durham, Judy Polumbaum, Omar Valerio-Jiminez, Aimee Carrillo-Rowe
Doctor of Philosophy, Mass Communications, 2010, University of Iowa
Dissertation: “Immigrant family, national borders: mainstream and diasporic news media, audiences, and the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act”
Advisor: Sujatha Sosale Committee: Gigi Durham, Judy Polumbaum, Omar Valerio-Jiminez, Aimee Carrillo-Rowe
Master of Arts, Mass Communications, 2005, University of Oklahoma
Advisor: Christa Ward
Committee: Ralph Beliveau, Jennifer Tiernan
Advisor: Christa Ward
Committee: Ralph Beliveau, Jennifer Tiernan
Bachelor of Arts, English, 2001, University of Oklahoma
Professional Expertise
Senior Strategic Communications Strategist, September 2025 to present
Office of the President, University of North Texas
Communications lead on all of President Harrison Keller's speeches, talking points, correspondece, social media.
Office of the President, University of North Texas
Communications lead on all of President Harrison Keller's speeches, talking points, correspondece, social media.
Contributing writer, editor and producer, the Oklahoma Observer, 2015 to present
Alongside Oklahoma Observer editor Arnold Hamilton, generating new programming and content for 52- year-old news journal focusing on Oklahoma politics and policy. Created “Newsmakers” monthly forum with state officials and leaders; produce and co-host the semi-weekly “Observercast” podcast; write essays and columns for Observer website and monthly print publication.
Alongside Oklahoma Observer editor Arnold Hamilton, generating new programming and content for 52- year-old news journal focusing on Oklahoma politics and policy. Created “Newsmakers” monthly forum with state officials and leaders; produce and co-host the semi-weekly “Observercast” podcast; write essays and columns for Observer website and monthly print publication.
Publications Team, University of Oklahoma Marketing and Communications February 2024 to October 2024
Spearheaded the development and execution of revamped university newsletter The One for distribution to over 300,000 recipients of various stakeholder groups. Led copywriting, art direction, and layout of newsletters, including the efforts to revitalize and rework the university-wide newsletter, Inside OU, for greater impact and engagement, including layout, design, and content. In two weeks, accelerated the distribution of a biweekly newsletter to a weekly schedule. Curate content from wide reaching university sources maximizing resources from within OU MarComm.
Spearheaded the development and execution of revamped university newsletter The One for distribution to over 300,000 recipients of various stakeholder groups. Led copywriting, art direction, and layout of newsletters, including the efforts to revitalize and rework the university-wide newsletter, Inside OU, for greater impact and engagement, including layout, design, and content. In two weeks, accelerated the distribution of a biweekly newsletter to a weekly schedule. Curate content from wide reaching university sources maximizing resources from within OU MarComm.
Director of Marketing and Communications, University of Oklahoma Libraries August 2021 to January 2024
Managing 2 FTEs and 2080 hours of student workers each fiscal year. A member of University Libraries’ leadership team, charged with all external communication and reputation management of OU Libraries, including the production of three to five publications each year from concept to distribution. Directs social media and all publicity and promotion for UL events, programs, and services. Manages all UL exhibits, events, and the dean’s strategic outreach initiatives to maintain and raise the profile of the UL with key stakeholders and university administration.
Managing 2 FTEs and 2080 hours of student workers each fiscal year. A member of University Libraries’ leadership team, charged with all external communication and reputation management of OU Libraries, including the production of three to five publications each year from concept to distribution. Directs social media and all publicity and promotion for UL events, programs, and services. Manages all UL exhibits, events, and the dean’s strategic outreach initiatives to maintain and raise the profile of the UL with key stakeholders and university administration.
Senior Content Manager, Suicide Prevention Resource Center project and South Southwest PTTC projects managed in OU OUtreach, December 2020 to August 2021
Worked across two major grants in suicide prevention and substance misuse prevention as communications staff, proofreader, and copy editor. Charged with starting national subprojects within the grant, aligning communications with grant goals and talking points, and working with subgrantees and partners across the country to ensure grant success through branding alignment and adequate promotion.
Worked across two major grants in suicide prevention and substance misuse prevention as communications staff, proofreader, and copy editor. Charged with starting national subprojects within the grant, aligning communications with grant goals and talking points, and working with subgrantees and partners across the country to ensure grant success through branding alignment and adequate promotion.
Contract writer, policy analyst, and editor, August 2019 to December 2020
Writer, researcher, editor and analyst for various policy initiatives and publications statewide and nationally, including the ballot initiative to pass Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma. Co-authored the Oklahoma Policy Institute’s white paper on Medicaid expansion.
Writer, researcher, editor and analyst for various policy initiatives and publications statewide and nationally, including the ballot initiative to pass Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma. Co-authored the Oklahoma Policy Institute’s white paper on Medicaid expansion.
Senior Director of Communications, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, July 2018 to August 2019
Led five direct reports and a total of 45 staff in the communications division at the $6 billion Oklahoma state Medicaid program. In charge of data analytics, media relations, and external and internal communications, and government affairs for a program with 1 million enrollees across the state, involving federal and state appropriations. Advised agency leadership on strategy and relationship building.
Led five direct reports and a total of 45 staff in the communications division at the $6 billion Oklahoma state Medicaid program. In charge of data analytics, media relations, and external and internal communications, and government affairs for a program with 1 million enrollees across the state, involving federal and state appropriations. Advised agency leadership on strategy and relationship building.
Adjunct instructor, Gaylord College of Journalism, University of Oklahoma January 2016 to 2018, Spring 2020 to present
Director of Communications, Gaylord College, University of Oklahoma April 2016 to July 2018
Led two to three student workers per academic year and worked with other members of the dean’s leadership team to design, create, and execute the strategic communications program for the College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Spearheaded recruitment activities to grow the college’s majors and in one year, increased incoming majors by 20 percent. Worked proactively and collaboratively with college staff and students on events for international students, first generation students, and other underserved groups to create a welcoming environment for all majors.
Led two to three student workers per academic year and worked with other members of the dean’s leadership team to design, create, and execute the strategic communications program for the College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Spearheaded recruitment activities to grow the college’s majors and in one year, increased incoming majors by 20 percent. Worked proactively and collaboratively with college staff and students on events for international students, first generation students, and other underserved groups to create a welcoming environment for all majors.
Account Executive, Schnake Turnbo Frank, January 2014 to October 2015
Managed multiple client accounts in a range of industries and student internship program at the oldest full-service public relations firm in Oklahoma, involving social media strategy, client development, change management, event planning, and other strategic communications tools.
Managed multiple client accounts in a range of industries and student internship program at the oldest full-service public relations firm in Oklahoma, involving social media strategy, client development, change management, event planning, and other strategic communications tools.
Media Director, Democratic Caucus, Oklahoma House of Representatives January 2013 to January 2014
First media director for legislative minority caucus. Developed substantial media presence statewide, coached members and developed messaging on key policy issues, created weekly media availabilities for caucus leadership, delivering 3-4 media placements per week and sometimes per day during the legislative session.
First media director for legislative minority caucus. Developed substantial media presence statewide, coached members and developed messaging on key policy issues, created weekly media availabilities for caucus leadership, delivering 3-4 media placements per week and sometimes per day during the legislative session.
Teaching Experience
Gaylord College of Journalism, University of Oklahoma 2016-present
JMC 3623 Writing for Electronic Media
JMC 2033 Writing for Media
JMC 3423 PR Writing
JMC 4423 PR Campaigns (previous capstone course for OU PR majors)
Oklahoma City University, 2019-2020
PR Writing
Introduction to PR
South Dakota State University Journalism Online Faculty Member, 2012-2014
PR Strategies
Methods in Teaching Mass Communication
Cross-platform PR Campaigns
Gender and Media
The University of Iowa, 2005-2010
Instructor of record, Gender as Media Cultural Forms
Teaching assistant, Cultural and Historical Foundations of Mass Communication
University of Oklahoma, 2002-2005
Teaching assistant Writing for Media
History of Journalism
Presentations and Talks
Medicaid 101. (July-August 2019). Internal training presentations to agency staff on the basics of Medicaid. Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
On Medicaid Expansion. (March 2019). NPR Tulsa’s “Give & Take” event. Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
Medicaid 101. (February 2019). Presentation to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
Martin, M. (August 2018-September 2018). It takes a community: Community engagement requirements for SoonerCare members. Presentations at nearly 40 meetings statewide. Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
Martin, M. (October 2016). Overview of the field of public relations. JMC 1013 Honors section. Martin, M. (May 2016). Messaging in political campaigns. N.E.W. Leadership workshop, Carl Albert Center, University of Oklahoma.
Martin, M. (May 2014). Messaging in political campaigns. N.E.W. Leadership workshop, Carl Albert Center, University of Oklahoma.
Martin, M. (April 2014). Media, politics, minority communities, and police brutality. Justice for Luis Rodriguez panel discussion. Gaylord College of Journalism.
Martin, M. (2012). “They dangerously confuse the concept of personhood and citizenship:" The nation state, globalization, immigrant women and families in news coverage of the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007.” Association for Education in Mass
Communication Conference, Chicago.
Martin, M. (2011) “Men without Voice: The Hegemonic Masculinity of ‘Mad Men’ as Disciplining Gendered Discourses.” National Communication Association Conference, New Orleans.
Martin, M. (2011). “Revoking the White Press ‘Pass:’ Voicing Whiteness as a Method of Engaging the Media for Social Change.” Convention Theme Group, National Communication Association 2011 Conference, New Orleans.
Martin, M. (2010). “Mapping Immigration Reform: Theorizing Globalization Using the Immigration Discourses Surrounding the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007.” National Communication Association 2010 Conference, San Francisco.
Martin, M. (2009). “The Ball Breaker and the Hockey Mom: News Coverage of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election as Gendered Spectacle.” Presentation on panel titled, “News as Spectacle.” National Communication Association 2009 Conference, Chicago.
Martin, M. (2009). “The Privilege of Christianity: A Comparative Textual Analysis of News Coverage of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka and the Reverend Jeremiah Wright.” Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication 2009 Mid-Winter Conference, Norman, Okla.
Martin, M. (2008). “The World at Her Breast: A Class-based Analysis of Breastfeeding Literature and Public Health Policy.” National Communication Association 2008 Convention, San Diego.
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Martin, M. (2008). “Collective Memory through Fidel: The Construction of Collective Memory through the News Coverage of Fidel Castro's Resignation.” Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication 2008 Convention, Chicago.
Martin, M. (2007) “Defining the Community: Constructions of Race and Cultural Identity in a Small Midwestern Newspaper.” Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication 2007 Convention, Washington, D.C.
Martin, M. (2007). "Defining the Community: Negotiating Multiplicity at a Small Town Newspaper." University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication Ph.D. Convention, Iowa City, IA.
Awards
Board Member of the Year, 2017
Oklahoma Primary Care Association
Kappa Tau Alpha Journalism Honor Society, 2010
University of Iowa
Ballard Seashore Dissertation Fellowship, 2009-2010
University of Iowa
Service
Community
Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development, Spring 2025 to present
Secretary, Board of Directors, Variety Care, February 2017 to Spring 2022 Board of Directors, Variety Care, January 2015 to August 2022
Member, Iowa Artists Recovery Fund Planning Committee, Fall 2008 Volunteer, Plano Independent School District, Texas, Fall 2011 to Spring 2013 Mentor/Tutor, Oklahoma City Public Schools, October 2001 to May 2002
Professional
Reviewer, 2011 to 2015, Journal of Media Sociology
Reviewer, 2005 to 2015, Journal of Communication Inquiry
Editorial Board, 2006-2007, Journal of Communication Inquiry
References
Adam Pitluk, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Coastal Carolina University apitluk@coastal.edu
Matt Cecil, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Meta Carstarphen, Professor Emeritus, Gaylord College of Journalism, mcarstarphen@ou.edu
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