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Kelli S. Burns, Ph.D., associate professor in the Zimmerman School, is a passionate strategic communications and public relations educator, social media scholar, engaging public speaker, and trusted media source.

With more than 25 years of higher education experience, Dr. Burns thrives on empowering the next generation of communicators. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in mass communication with a concentration in advertising from the University of 91社区 where she was the J. Hills Miller Presidential Fellow, a master鈥檚 degree in mass communication from Middle Tennessee State University, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics with a business administration minor from Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Burns teaches strategic communications management courses in the master鈥檚 program and integrated public relations and advertising in the undergraduate program. In 2017, Dr. Burns was awarded a USF Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award for exceptional classroom engagement and instruction. To connect industry practice with classroom learning, Dr. Burns has participated over the years in the ANA Educational Foundation鈥檚 Visiting Professor Program, the PhDigital Bootcamp at Texas State, the Educator Summit at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the IRTS Faculty Seminar, and the Edelman Academic Summit.

Dr. Burns has served the Zimmerman School in several capacities over the years, including Associate Director, Undergraduate Director (twice), Director of Alumni Engagement & External Relations, and Public Relations Sequence Head. She also serves as the adviser to USF鈥檚 chapter of the honor society Kappa Tau Alpha.

Dr. Burns鈥檚 research focuses on many areas of social media, and she is most interested in influencer marketing and community engagement. She has authored two books on the subject of social media, Celeb 2.0: How Social Media Foster our Fascination with Popular Culture and Social Media: A Reference Handbook, along with many journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings.

Dr. Burns has been an invited public speaker at more than 40 conferences, seminars, and corporate meetings to speak on a variety of topics related to social media. She brings a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world insights, captivating audiences with discussions on the latest trends and best practices. Additionally, as a trusted media source, Dr. Burns provides expert commentary on social media trends and digital communication strategies. Journalists and media outlets appreciate her informed perspectives, and she has become USF鈥檚 most sought-after expert for social media insights. From international to local media outlets, Dr. Burns has been a source for almost 200 interviews across all media formats including live television, live radio, podcasts, and print media.