Dr. Mildred F. “Mimi” Wiggins Perreault is an Assistant Professor of Public Relations in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama. Her research explores the intersections of crisis communication, journalism, public relations, disaster resilience, environmental communication, and community engagement. Drawing on a professional background in journalism and strategic communication, she examines how communication systems function during times of crisis and social disruption, with particular attention to rural communities, natural disasters, public health emergencies, and information ecosystems.
Perreault earned her Ph.D. in Journalism from the University of Missouri, where she was affiliated with the Disaster and Community Crisis Center. She also holds an M.A. in Communication, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations from Baylor University. Prior to joining the University of Alabama, she served as an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida, East Tennessee State University, and Lecturer and Research Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University.
An active scholar, Perreault has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and an edited volume. Her work has appeared in leading journals including Journalism Studies, Journalism Practice, Mass Communication and Society, American Behavioral Scientist, Journal of Applied Communication Research, and Digital Journalism. She is the co-editor of Crisis Communication Case Studies on COVID-19: Multidimensional Perspectives and Applications and has contributed scholarship on disaster communication, rural journalism, health communication, media ethics, climate communication, misinformation, and social media.
Perreault is deeply committed to student mentorship and engaged scholarship. Throughout her academic career, she has advised graduate theses, supervised undergraduate research and experiential learning projects, and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams across communication, public health, education, and environmental studies. Her work frequently connects academic research with community needs, helping practitioners, journalists, and organizations navigate crises and build resilience.
Her scholarship and service have been recognized through numerous honors, including the PRSA Florida Sunshine District Radiance Awards Trailblazer Award and selection to the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center’s LEAD Research Consortium. She remains active in national professional organizations, including the Public Relations Society of America and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, where she has held multiple leadership roles.
