Academy Presenters

Stephanie Kuo

Stephanie Kuo is the Vice President of Content at PRX, overseeing the organization's content strategy, broadcast/podcast acquisition and  distribution as well as in-house production operations. She was previously the Director of Content Development and Training at PRX, leading training initiatives, accelerator programs and creative consultancies for podcasters and organizations around the U.S. and the world. Stephanie is an award-winning public radio journalist, and began her career in public media as an editor, reporter and student advisor at  Fordham University's WFUV. She then spent four years at KERA, the public radio station in North Texas, as a reporter, covering urban development, housing and poverty. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism and design from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's in broadcast journalism from Columbia University. 

Mike Russo

Mike Russo is the Director of Audience Growth and Podcast Marketing at PRX, managing launch strategy and execution for all shows in the PRX portfolio. Prior to this role, Mike was a project manager and creative strategist on the PRX Training team, overseeing multiple initiatives – including the Ready To Learn Podcast accelerator, in partnership with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS KIDS, as well as the Journalism Podcast Accelerator, in partnership with the Knight Foundation. Before PRX, Mike spent six years in public media as the Director of Audience Development and Director of Podcast Production at KCUR, the public radio station in Kansas City, Missouri. Mike got his graduate degree from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Dad's Garage

Acceptance and Communication

We all love our own ideas. What’s it like to start falling in love with someone else’s? Or even just like a little? (and not in that way) How can we communicate our ideas in a world of ‘no’ and speculation? These exercises will let participants experience an approach of accepting everything while navigating communication in the midst of rejection.

Listening and Collaboration

If collaboration is a locked door, then listening is the key. A big shiny key you get from a mayor. Participants will discover that they already have the keys, they just might be a little rusty. These activities will shine those keys and help participants unlock and discover ways they collaborate.

Application

Let’s use what we’ve learned! The last set of activities will give the group an opportunity to talk about their research and discover approaches to help their ideas resonate. Fun will be used as a tool to help discover a comfortable way to communicate key points about research topics.

Teresa Valerio Parrot

Principal at TVP

Teresa Valerio Parrot is the founder and principal of TVP Communications, a national communications and leadership agency solely focused on higher education. Previously, she served as senior vice president for Widmeyer Communications and vice president for SimpsonScarborough. She counts almost 10 years of service with the University of Colorado, including an officer-level appointment as assistant secretary of the University.

She is co-host of the Trusted Voices Podcast, co-editor of Call to Action for Inside Higher Ed, and has numerous bylines with national and higher education media, and is a frequent keynote speaker. In 2024, she received the Top Woman in Public Relations: Industry Innovator award from PR News which celebrates the innovating, ceiling-breaking, game-changing women dominating the communications industry.

Locally, she serves on the board of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), and is a former board member for KUNC public radio and the Colorado Sound. She is also a member of the Denver Ballet Guild.

Valerio Parrot earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Colorado Boulder, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver, and a doctoral degree in higher education policy and leadership from Southern Methodist University. She holds accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). 

Kristine Maloney

Vice President at TVP