Troy Oldham

Lecturer, Department of Journalism & Communication
At USU since 2003

Specialty Areas: Public Relations
Contact: (435) 797-3287
oldhamtroy@gmail.com

Academic Degrees:
-- M.I.M., A.G.S. of International Management (Thunderbird) - 1991
-- B.A., Communications. Utah State University - 1989

Spring '09 syllabi:
JCOM 2300, Introduction to Public Relations
JCOM 5320, PR Agency
JCOM 5300, Case Studies in Public Relations

JCOM 2300 Site (Final Exam Notes)

Supporting Material

Position Framework Template
Basic PR Plan
PR Schedule -- Simple
PR Plan Template (Must have Powerpoint to view)
Creative Brief

Recommended PR websites:

www.workinPR.com
www.prnewswire.com
www.prsa.org
www.PRmuseum.com
www. instituteforpr.com
www.prfirms.org

Background & Experience:

I'm a native of Logan and grew up cheering for the Aggies. Between 1985 and 1989 I attended USU in pursuit of a Bachelors Degree in Communications. I chose the Communications major because I wanted to work in the advertising and PR industry. While at USU I also completed a double minor in Business and Mandarin Chinese.

After USU, I spent a year working followed by graduate school in Arizona at Thunderbird, (The American Graduate School of International Management). Graduate school was a great experience that included learning about international marketing and management, picking up skills in cross-cultural relations, and the ability to throw a effective scrum while playing rugby. After a very focused job search, I found myself working for Microsoft in Redmond, Washington.

My career at Microsoft was amazing. The thrill of being in the IT industry during the 90s was euphoric and exciting. The people I worked among were smart, energetic, passionate, and very goal-driven. I was fortunate to see most of the world while at Microsoft, including a 30 month assignment in Australia.

I enjoyed my time at Microsoft, but I also love teaching and working with our amazing students here at USU. The reward that comes from watching young, aggressive, and challenged minds expand and learn is intoxicating. I currently teach the Introduction to PR course (JCOM 2300) as well as two capstone courses (JCOM 5300 and JCOM 5320 Agency). Our field-study classes leverages academic learning and challenges our student teams to develop and present detailed and comprehensive PR plans to actual clients. This student-to-client interaction produces well prepared students while providing real value to our corporate clients.

And of course, playing with my four kids!!