Chay Rao

Chay Rao is an accomplished communications professional with extensive experience in strategic communications and marketing within educational and corporate environments. Currently serving as the Assistant Dean of Strategic Communications & Marketing at American University's School of Public Affairs since July 2019, Chay leads comprehensive communications strategies that enhance brand recognition and support institutional goals, including graduate student recruitment. Previous roles include Director of Strategic Communications & PR at the same institution, and Senior Specialist in Internal Communications & Employee Engagement at Fannie Mae. Chay's career also includes significant positions in outreach and marketing for organizations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, and ARCS Transcription Service. Chay began with a foundation in education as a teacher and has cultivated a strong background in writing and curriculum design. Chay holds a B.A. in History and English from Tufts University and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.