By Travis Jordan | Oxford College of Emory University

Dr. Kenneth Carter, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology at Oxford College of Emory University, has been named the recipient of the Advocate for Higher Education Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The honor recognizes a leader who has effectively used strategic communication and public relations to advance the mission of higher education.  

A clinical psychologist, educator and public scholar, Carter has dedicated much of his career to helping broader audiences understand the role universities play in shaping knowledge, fostering curiosity and addressing complex societal questions. Through his teaching, writing, and public engagement, he has consistently demonstrated how academic research can inform everyday life and strengthen connections between universities and the communities they serve. 

At Oxford College, Carter is widely known for his dynamic teaching and commitment to cultivating intellectual curiosity among students. As the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology, he’s taught courses ranging from introductory psychology to advanced topics in psychopathology and clinical neuroscience. His work in the classroom reflects a broader belief that higher education should inspire students not only to gain knowledge, but also to apply it in meaningful ways beyond campus. 

Reflecting on the recognition, Dr. Carter shared:

“I’m grateful for the communications professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to help scholars share their work with the world. Seeing researchers reconnect with the joy of their own scholarship through that process has been one of the great privileges of my career. More than anything, this honor reflects the work of those who share their scholarship with the public and the staff of the Center for Public Scholarship and Engagement, who built something worth celebrating,” said Dr. Kenneth Carter 87Ox 89C, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology at Oxford College of Emory University.

Carter’s influence extends beyond teaching through his leadership in advancing public scholarship. As the founding director of Emory University’s Center for Public Scholarship and Engagement, he has helped create pathways for faculty to share their research with wider audiences through media, public programming and collaborative storytelling. His work emphasizes the importance of making scholarly insights accessible and relevant to communities outside the academy.  

Reflecting on Carter’s impact in shaping public scholarship at Emory and beyond, Teresa Valerio Parrot, Principal of TVP Communications, notes the foresight behind his work: “When developing Emory’s Public Scholarship Academy, Ken made sure that the university’s faculty and faculty across the country had the resources to find their voices and confidence. He knew those tools helped him have a positive experience as a thought leader. Little did Ken know that in 2024, 2025, and 2026, there would be a frantic scramble among communicators and university leaders to figure out how to make research at complex institutions relatable and understandable to the public. He had the advantage of time to be strategic in his approach and develop a successful model.” 

That commitment to public engagement is also reflected in Carter’s leadership in shaping IDEAS Festival Emory, an event that brings together scholars, students and community members to explore pressing issues and new ideas. By creating spaces for dialogue and discovery, the festival reflects Carter’s belief that higher education thrives when it actively engages the public. 

“Dr. Carter’s leadership in public scholarship reflects our commitment to expanding knowledge, fostering dialogue and bringing Oxford to the world. This recognition underscores the role of Oxford’s faculty in making the college a place where ideas are not only explored but shared in ways that matter,” said Dr. Molly McGehee, Interim Dean of Oxford College.

Carter is also an internationally recognized researcher whose work explores sensation-seeking and thrill-seeking behavior. His research investigates why individuals are drawn to high-adrenaline experiences and how personality traits influence risk-taking and motivation. His work has been featured in national media outlets and public science programming, helping audiences better understand the psychological forces that shape human behavior. 

A graduate of Oxford College and Emory University, Carter often reflects on the transformative role that education played in his own journey. As a first-generation college student, he credits the Oxford experience with helping him discover his academic path and develop the confidence to pursue a career in psychology and research. 

Through his scholarship, teaching and public engagement, Carter continues to exemplify the mission of higher education: expanding knowledge, encouraging thoughtful dialogue and connecting academic discovery with the broader public good.