Dr. Kiernan joined the Metropolitan School of Professional Studies in June 2016. Previously, he served as an associate dean at George Mason University and Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies, where he led the university's undergraduate program for working students. He earned a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Maryland, College Park; an executive master's in leadership from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, and a master of science in adult and continuing education from Kansas State University. Prior to his work in academe, Dr. Kiernan worked for more than 20 years as a science and medical journalist, and his academic research centers on science and medical journalism, more particularly on relationships between journalists and the scientific establishment. His 2006 book, Embargoed Science, critically examined news coverage of the latest scientific research.
Education
Dr. Kiernan holds a doctorate in philosophy in mass communication from the University of Maryland, College Park, an executive master’s in leadership from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Cornell University.
Other academic credentials and certifications include:
Graduate certificate in academic advising, Kansas State University.
Master’s in adult and continuing education, Kansas State University.
Knight Science Journalism Fellowship, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Expertise
Dr. Kiernan has more than 20 years of experience in communications, journalism, and writing.
Experience
Dr. Kiernan worked for nine years as a senior editor and senior writer for The Chronicle of Higher Education, a weekly trade newspaper and daily website in Washington, D.C. His research centers on science and medical journalism, specifically on the relationships between journalists and the scientific establishment.
Dr. Kiernan is the author of numerous books and professional publications, including Embargoed Science, Writing Your Dissertation with Microsoft Word and Finding an Online High School: Your Guide to More Than 4,500 High School Courses Offered Over the Internet. In Embargoed Science, he critically examines news coverage of the latest research published in scientific journals.
Currently, Dr. Kiernan is dean of the Metropolitan School of Professional Studies at The Catholic University of America where he serves as the school’s chief executive and academic leaders, guiding its vision, generating resources, promoting the school’s visibility and managing all aspects of the school’s operations.
He was previously the associate dean for graduate academic affairs at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University. Prior to that, Dr. Kiernan was an associate dean at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies where he directed a bachelor’s program for working adults.
