Biography

Tamar Meguerditchian Gregorian, PhD, APR, is an award-winning communicator, principal and co-founder of YNH Consulting. As a native New Orleanian, she has over a decade of experience in creating strategic communication campaigns for a variety of clients in both the public and private sectors. Understanding the importance of networking and professional development, she has been a member and served on local and regional boards including the Loyola University New Orleans Alumni Board, the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region, the Armenian National Committee of Louisiana, the New Orleans chapters of the International Association of Business Communicators, the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the New Orleans Press Club to name a few. Tamar earned her bachelor’s degree in 2004 from Loyola University New Orleans, her master’s degree in 2007 from Louisiana State University and her doctorate in 2018 from The University of Southern Mississippi. Over the past 12 years, she has taught a variety of communication and public relations courses both on ground and online at Tulane as well as at other universities.

Favorite thing about SoPA?
I love having the opportunity to teach and interact with students from such diverse backgrounds and help those students advance academically and professionally.

First career I dreamed of:
Teacher. I used to play school in my bedroom as a child. I guess it stuck!

What are your favorite activities when you are not working?
Spending time with family and friends, traveling and eating. I’m happiest when I can do that all at once.  

If you could be on any reality TV show, which would you choose and why?
Shark Tank. I’ve always got a million dollar idea. Just waiting on the million!

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Armenia - the motherland. I’ve had the privilege of going once and I can’t wait to return. It’s in my blood, literally.

What is the best advice you've ever received?
I was a graduate student making great grades when Hurricane Katrina hit. As the stress mounted, my grades started slipping. One of my toughest professors noticed the difference in my work product and suggested we meet. While he exhibited empathy during the meeting, he told me something I will never forget. He said, “Right now, you’re dealing with a lot of stress and what’s worse, the unknown. As hard as life is around you, you need to remember that this [school] is the only thing you can control right now. You get to decide how this semester and year turns out, no one else can do that for you.” That was the turning point for me that semester, that year and, honestly, to this day.