Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas is a seasoned communications professional and educator with over two decades of experience spanning newsrooms, municipal government, and higher education. Originally from Texas, he began his academic journey at The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Journalism, followed by a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

His career in local news reflects a deep commitment to storytelling across the Deep South and Midwest, having worked as a reporter, producer, and writer for both broadcast and print outlets. As a freelance journalist, Michael has navigated the fast-paced newsrooms of major media hubs, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami. This diverse professional background eventually led him to higher education, where he spent over 12 years as a college instructor. Notably, he launched the broadcasting major at Florida Memorial University and has held teaching positions at California Polytechnic State University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, and Miles College.

Michael’s expertise transitioned into strategic media relations and public service, where he served as Manager for Marketing and Communication for the Division of Research & Innovation at Prairie View A&M University. His passion for public service later took him to the City of Dallas as a Communication and Research Analyst, and subsequently to the City of Minneapolis, where he served as Deputy Director of Communications. During his tenure in Minneapolis, he was instrumental in media relations for the Office of Violence Prevention and contributed to the "Alternative Response to Police" research project. Now a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Kansas, Michael’s current work bridges his professional history with academic research focused on leadership, media representation, and the evolution of news consumption.