Adrienne Muldrow
Adrienne Muldrow is an Associate Professor of Communication at East Carolina University, where she explores how the way we talk—and who gets heard—shapes our health and everyday lives. With over twenty years of experience spanning academia and industry, she seamlessly blends research, real-world insight, and passion into everything she does.
Adrienne’s work focuses on how communication influences health behaviors, and she’s particularly interested in the roles that gender, race, ethnicity, food marketing, and advertising play in these experiences. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina, then went on to complete her doctoral work at Washington State University.
Before entering higher education, Adrienne launched her career in finance and quickly made her mark—earning “Employee of the Year” at Bellco Credit Union in 2000. That professional background continues to shape her teaching, mentorship, and leadership style, giving her a grounded, people-centered approach in the classroom.
Since becoming a scholar, Adrienne has published around fifteen peer-reviewed articles. One received a Best Paper Award, another earned a nomination for the same honor, and a separate publication became one of the most downloaded in its field—clear signs that her work resonates with both researchers and the broader public.
Outside of academia, Adrienne finds joy in book clubs, live music—from jazz and rock to the symphony—salsa dancing, and cooking. She’s passionate about community, lifelong learning, and creating space for equity in every arena. Whether she’s teaching, writing, or mentoring, Adrienne continues to inspire with her curiosity, clarity, and care.
• Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking
• Washington State University- Ph.D.
• Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina- M.B.A.
• George P Turner Award--Employee of the Year
• 2016 Barrow Minority Doctoral Student Scholarship (annual recipient)
• President's List
• National Honor Society
• Top Performer Award
• Top Three Paper Award
• International Communication Association
• Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• American Psychological Association (APA) Health Psychology Division
• Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Special Olympics
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my drive and ambition—they’ve pushed me to keep growing, take on new challenges, and never settle for less than my best.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was, “Don’t be the first woman in your department”—not because you can’t, but because you shouldn’t have to carry the weight of breaking every barrier alone.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is simple: live your dream unapologetically and don’t let anyone tell you it’s out of reach.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is the rise of AI and digital health, which offer potential for innovation but also raise concerns about data accuracy and the automation of health records without proper context.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and being true to myself and others are the values I hold most important, both in my work and personal life.