About

bbn colorful squareA Bit About My Blog

Public Relations Matters is a blog published occasionally by me, Barbara B. Nixon, Ph.D. (ABD). Topics you’ll find here include public relations, social media, and occasionally, grief.

A Bit About Me

Botanical photographer, inquisitive, listener, wife & mom, nomad, geek, learner, witty, NASCAR fan, Auburn fanatic, creative, hip and spunky . . . these are just a few of the words that my friends and colleagues use to describe me. I’m passionate about social media and how we can use it to build relationships. Besides being the author of this blog, I teach public relations and communication courses online for Auburn University, University of Oregon and Ashworth College. My journey to central Alabama was definitely a circuitous one, almost like one from Billy of Family Circus. After growing up in a small town in Maine, I moved to Atlanta for high school, then completed my BA and MA at Auburn University. I married my college sweetheart, Kevin Nixon, and together we have lived in Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Georgia, Florida, and Arkansas; these relocations were a blend of military and corporate moves. Before moving to Florida, I held leadership positions at three Fortune 500 companies, and completed my coursework and comprehensive examination for a Ph.D. in Training and Performance Improvement at Capella University. My husband and I have four children: Kyle, who passed away at age 22 as a graduating senior at Auburn University; James, 33; Sam, 26; and Kat, 24. You can find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and other social media sites as barbaranixon. View Barbara Nixon, Ph.D. (ABD)'s profile on LinkedIn

19 Replies to “About”

  1. thanks for such a great blog for sharing your PR related knowledge and experiences ! =) i went through few of your posts and seriously they are highly informative for me atleast ! .. thanks again for helping me learn more about PR related stuff ! =)

  2. Hello Proffessor,

    I Just stumbled onto your blog while researching helpful PR sites for students. I unfortunately decided late what I wanted to do with my career after college and now that I am a junior at a small school lacking any type of PR program, I have been trying to figure out what to do to build experience and learn more about something I have become passionate about. I have successful switched my major to Marketing which is as close as I’ll get at this point. I have been looking at your class assignments and I am hoping with your permission I can go in and complete some of them as well. Your blog has been very helpful in teaching me things I would have learned in a regular program. I would love to email/chat with you further.

    Sincerely,
    Marnise T.

  3. It is amazing to read your story. You are doing amazing things here at SEU. Thank you for introducing us to the world of blogging.

  4. Barbara,

    Where would a company in McLean,Virgina go to find a PR grad with social media skills to work for them?

    Thanks.

  5. Hi, Barbara

    I work in Los Angeles and the team I work with is interested in attending an AP Style boot camp. Wanted to know if you offer any courses in Los Angeles or know of any programs that are availiable on the West Coast.

    Thanks very much!
    -Alex

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