Mark Gardner

Graduate Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology

Bio

Mark Gardner joined CMIST in the Summer of 2023 as the Graduate Program Manager for the Masters of Information Technology Strategy (MITS) and the Master of Science in International Relations and Politics (MS IRP). He is responsible for advising current students on their academic experience, including helping with course registration, locating and applying for internship and scholarship opportunities, and finalizing graduation plans—to name a few—and for helping inform and support prospective students as they navigate different graduate program options. 

Prior to his time at CMU, Mark was an Assistant Professor of Communication and Department Chair of Humanities at Graceland University. Before that, he worked for ten years as an adjunct professor in English, communication, and film studies throughout the Western Pennsylvania region. He has also worked as an academic advisor and professional writing tutor since 2010. He has devoted his career to academic service and student success throughout his various experiences in higher education institutions.  

Mark received his PhD in Communications and Rhetorical Studies from Duquesne University and has a Master’s in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University.  His researched areas of study have been political communication, communication ethics, and decolonial pedagogy within higher education.

Outside the office, Mark enjoys playing volleyball, exploring new restaurants/cuisines, and spending weekends with friends around the great city of Pittsburgh.