Carolyn Smith Casertano, APR, is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Communication. She received her MA in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University and her BA in Journalism from the University of Arizona.

She is an award-winning communications professional with over two decades of professional expertise in strategic planning, message development and implementation, media relations, crisis communications, thought leadership, advocacy and brand positioning. She has worked for a variety of clients within the non-profit, corporate and agency sector, and is a consultant in marketing, communications and public relations. Prior to joining the University of Arizona, she managed high-profile campaigns with the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), Coaches vs. Cancer, numerous celebrities and influencers on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

Carolyn is an accredited public relations professional (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the official Communication Studies honor society of the National Communication Association, and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). She serves on the Communications Committee for the PRSA Educators Academy, and on the Board of Directors for the Western District of PRSA. She is a past president of the Southern Arizona chapter of PRSA and was named the 2020 Public Relations Professional of the Year. She is the faculty adviser for the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) University of Arizona chapter, and participates on numerous volunteer committees in Southern Arizona.