Janine Fondon, MA, MFA

Janine Fondon, MA, MFA, is an award-winning educator, scholar/public historian, and media ecologist, who brings her corporate experience and entrepreneurial leadership into higher education classrooms. She is known in boardrooms and classrooms for pairing deep scholarly rigor with real-world entrepreneurial experience. Her work experience in strategic communications, digital marketing, and public relations has enriched undergraduate, graduate, online, and professional development level programs.

As an innovative media ecologist, Fondon specializes in building dynamic, technology-driven learning spaces focused on human perception, communication, and media. She has developed digital learning environments such as Bay Path University’s inaugural Digital Newsroom and virtual magazine, Network News. At American International College, she is part of the re-launch team supporting the student magazine, The Yellow Jacket, and the student newsroom.

Education and Academic Credentials

• MFA, Creative Nonfiction Writing | Bay Path University
• MA, Communications and Business | New York University
• BA, Sociology and Anthropology | Colgate University
• Honorary Degree | Springfield Technical Community College (Massachusetts)
• International Studies: University of the West Indies (Barbados); study tours in London and Paris

Courses taught at AIC

• COM 1282  – Media Literacy COM 1403                       
• COM 1403 – Public Relations I
• COM 2500 – Newspaper Publishing Lab COM 2630                       
• COM 2630 – Writing for Media
• INT 2710 – Media Storytelling in the Age of AI COM 3240                       
• COM 3240 – Media Law and Ethics
• COM 3403 – Crisis and Communication Management COM 3450                       
• COM 3450 – Feature and Opinion Writing
• COM 4403- Public Relations IV: Campaign and Executive Reporting

Scholarly and Curatorial Achievements

• Public History and Curatorial Work: Created the Smithsonian-affiliated exhibition Voices of Resilience: The Intersection of Women on the Move at the Springfield Museums and The Intersection (2018), documenting the untold contributions of women of color in civil rights, abolition, and industry.
• Civic Engagement and Leadership: Founded the On the Move Initiative to Advance Women, an interdisciplinary platform elevating women of color across sectors.

• Research and Institutional Honors: Recipient of the Richard J. Briotta Prize for Outstanding Faculty Research and the Bay Path Thumbprint Award. Included in the 2019 book The Power of Women, published by The Republican.

Honors and Awards

Recognized with over 30 national and regional awards for entrepreneurial excellence, leadership, inclusion, and communications:

• 2025: Diane Davis Beacon Award, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Boston Chapter)
• 2024: Leadership and Legacy Award, Pan African Historical Museum of the U.S.A. (PAHMUSA)
• 2023: Top 50 Women Leaders of Massachusetts, Women We Admire
• 2021–2022: Creative Awards (Bronze, Gold, Silver), Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts
• 2021: Difference Maker Award, BusinessWest Journal
• 2020: Order of William Pynchon Medal, Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts
• 2017: African American Female Professor Award, African American Female Professors Association (AAFPA)

Community and Board Service

• Board Member (2026) – Public Relations Society of America (Boston Chapter)
• Trustee (2025–2026): Order of William Pynchon (First past recipient in 110 years appointed to serve as trustee)
• Vice President (2025): NAMIC New England Chapter
• Co-Chair (2023–2024): Community Advisory Board, New England Public Media
• Marketing Chair (2018–Present): Springfield Museums and Women Innovators and Trailblazers
• Founder (2017–Present): On the Move Initiative to Advance Women
• Board Chair (2007–2015): WTCC Radio, Springfield Technical Community College