Amy Lorentzen McCoy

Assistant Professor, Strategic Political Communication and Public Relations

Professor McCoy teaches strategic political communication and public relations courses at Drake. Prior to joining the faculty in 2022, McCoy worked in journalism and public relations for more than 20 years.

Her reporting experience included covering state and national politics for The Associated Press (AP). She was embedded with presidential candidates throughout the presidential nominating contests as well as reported extensively on Iowa’s state government agencies and the Iowa Statehouse. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and leading newspapers around the globe.

Following her time as a journalist, McCoy served as the spokesperson and information officer for one of the state’s largest government agencies, the Iowa Department of Human Services. She later represented the Iowa Department of Public Health at the Capitol as the agency’s legislative liaison/lobbyist. McCoy most recently continued her government career as public affairs manager for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, where she developed legislative strategies and stakeholder communication plans. Additionally, McCoy has worked in corporate communications serving as communications director for one of the Midwest’s largest employers, Hy-Vee Inc. There, she was part of a team that created public outreach strategies, planned high-profile events and managed media relations.

McCoy has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and continued her education studying journalism at the University of Nebraska-Omaha before joining the AP. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Communications at Drake.

Her research interests include studying how elected officials can more efficiently and effectively communicate with the public and leverage a wide range of media to encourage meaningful participation in the political process.

McCoy lives in West Des Moines with her husband, two children and three dogs. She serves as a commissioner on her community planning and zoning commission and regularly volunteers at her children’s school.

 

Contact Information

Email: amy.mccoy@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-3530
Address: 2805 University Ave Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: 120 Meredith Hall
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.