Shawn Turner

Shawn Turner is the Interim Director of the School of Journalism at Michigan State University and the General Manager of WKAR – mid-Michigan’s PBS and NPR public media station. He is also a faculty member in the college of Communication Arts and Sciences where he teaches courses on strategic and crisis communication. 

He previously served in several federal government positions, including Deputy White House Press Secretary, Director of Communication for U.S. National Intelligence, and Deputy Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the National Security Council. 

He is currently the Vice Chair of the National Public Radio (NPR) board of directors, a member of the board of trustees for the German Marshall Fund (GMF), and he sits on the executive board of advisors for the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He previously served on the Board of Advisors for the National Security Agency (NSA) and is a former Distinguished Terker Fellow in George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. 

Shawn has authored articles and book chapters on national security, risk communication, and information-processing and cognitive theories.

During his time in federal government service, Shawn was awarded the Intelligence Community Leadership Award and the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award for outstanding career accomplishments and exemplary service to the nation. 

Prior to his civilian career, Shawn served 21 years in the United States Marine Corps. He received his B.A. degree in communication studies from Texas State University and an M.A. degree in communication from George Mason University.

Communication Ethics

Misinformation and False Narratives

Crisis and Strategic Communication

Information Weaponization 

National Security Communication 

Media Consumption and Behavioral Intentions