Hagley joined the faculty in 2001 following 30 years of progressive experience in executive-level corporate communication, media, investor and government relations, private consulting, worldwide agency work and metropolitan news reporting. He is a professional writer recognized nationally by public relations practitioners and educators as a contributor of knowledge with many articles published in business and professional journals, including seven featured in The Strategist magazine published by the Public Relations Society of America. He is recipient of the 2007 Jonathan Marshall Award for innovative teaching in journalism and communication. Hagley is a master of all forms of public relations writing, including plans, Congressional testimony, executive speeches, as well as white papers, one of which served as the basis for solving an international trade crisis among six countries. His book, Writing Winning Proposals: PR Cases, 2nd Edition, was published by University Readers in September 2009.