5 Questions: Meet Passionate Communicator Galen Ettlin

Ettlin was a well-known Portland TV news anchor. Then he switched to corporate public relations and will soon earn a master’s in strategic communication from the SOJC.

By Leo Heffron, class of ’26

Journalism major Leo Heffron interviewed Galen Ettlin, a student in the SOJC’s Strategic Communication Master’s program. This article is part of a series highlighting graduating students from the SOJC. It has been edited for length.

portrait of Galen Ettlin
Galen Ettlin left his job as a TV anchor in Portland to pursue a career in corporate public relations. He enrolled in the UO Strategic Communication Master’s program to hone his skills. All photos courtesy of Galen Ettlin.

What made you realize that strategic communication was the right path after a career in TV news broadcasting?

Many institutions face declining trust, including business, media and government. Experiencing that decline firsthand during my decade in journalism, I felt it was important to expand my skills to meet the moment. I still believe journalism is a critical service for a thriving society, but in a fragmented-attention economy, organizations require a constantly evolving multichannel approach. For my particular passion for storytelling, strategic communication felt like the right path to reach people and build trust in new ways.

What aspects of the UO Strategic Communication Master’s program drew you in?

The Strategic Communication Leadership Network was a key differentiator for me. It showed that accomplished industry professionals had a hand in instruction and curriculum to make sure our learning was contemporary and relevant. I joined the program as I was transitioning from journalism to corporate communications, so establishing a new network of mentors was important to me.

Galen Ettlin does a TV news broadcast in front of the Moda Center in Portland
While reporting for KGW-TV in Portland, Galen Ettlin sets up a live shot at the Moda Center. Ettlin is in the Strategic Communication Master’s program at the SOJC. 

Which UO classes had the most impact on you?

There are several that had an impact for different reasons:

  • JCOM 624 Campaign Planning & Management with Tom Seaman provided an opportunity to build a full strategic communication plan for a real nonprofit. Not to mention, Tom also referred me to my current comms role at HP, which has been a great place to work and build my skills.
  • JCOM 624 Strategic Influence with Melissa Havel was one of the most self-empowering courses in navigating corporate settings and positioning comms professionals to have a meaningful impact. She and her guest speakers mapped out how we can make our seats at the table not just valuable, but essential.
  • JCOM 624 Sustainability in Communications with Attila Schillinger was a short elective offering deep learning on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. It was one of those courses that made you wish there was more time for the group to brainstorm, "How can we save the world?"
  • JCOM 618 Strategic Communication Leadership with Gail Baker culminated in creating a personal, long-term career/life development plan with strategies and tactics for reaching goals. I know it's something I will revisit to build on my career for years to come.

How has your fluency in Mandarin helped you in strategic communication?

Knowing Mandarin has been my window into cultural understanding. Some nuance can get lost in translation, so understanding deeper culture through language helps unlock a deeper story. I've worked with Chinese companies to translate their value propositions and emceed bilingual trade show events for both Western and Chinese audiences. Knowing both languages and cultures reveals unexpected crossovers and mitigates perceived gaps. Even in my journalism work, conducting interviews with Chinese government officials in both Mandarin and English provided a deeper level of insight and trust.

Galen Ettlin holds a microphone with a stage light shining over his shoulder
Galen Ettlin emcees a gala at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). A former Portland TV news anchor, Ettlin got his start working for the SOJC’s Duck TV. 

You were a part of Duck TV during your undergraduate years. How did that help you with what you are doing now?

Duck TV helped me get more reps in beyond J-school classes. Shooting news packages, writing copy, editing video and producing newscasts all take practice. The learning curve in your first newsroom job is steep because the deadlines are even more aggressive, so every bit of undergrad preparation helps. While I'm no longer in TV news, my news experience has helped me deliver quality comms work quickly. These skills are definitely in demand in corporate settings.

Leo Heffron is a third-year journalism major at the SOJC, with a minor in Spanish. He loves to write about many topics, but fashion and social issues are his favorites. You can find his work in The Daily Emerald.