Dr. Valerie Gruest is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at New Mexico State University. She teaches courses in strategic communication with an emphasis on applied learning, guiding students to develop the skills to create effective communication campaigns and navigate an evolving media landscape.

Her research sits at the intersection of health and sports communication, media psychology, and internet studies. She examines how digital media and emerging technologies shape attitudes, behaviors, and well-being, with a particular focus on body image, eating disorders, and the psychological and behavioral effects of fitness-related content. Her scholarship also explores branding, marketing, and audience engagement in sport and digital media environments.

Drawing on an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods approach, Dr. Gruest is committed to applied scholarship that generates tangible social impact by advancing media literacy, digital well-being, and healthier media environments, particularly within underrepresented communities and athletic spaces.

Dr. Gruest has worked in strategic marketing, communications, and organizational development with international sport organizations and mission-driven businesses. A former Olympian, she serves in athlete leadership, governance, and advocacy roles across PanAm Aquatics, World Aquatics, Art of the Olympians, and Sport & Rights Alliance. She enjoys photography, art, and tennis.

Recent Publications 

Zier, J., Liu, S., Gruest, V., & Walter, N. (2026). Everyone Thinks They're Cross-Disciplinary (and Maybe They're Right). Annals of the International Communication Association, wlag039.

Gruest, V., & Walter, N. (2026). Lifting the Screen on Fitspiration: A Meta-Analysis. Health Communication, 1-15.

Gruest, V., Arguedas, A. A. R., & Boczkowski, P. J. (2024). Harmful or Helpful? A Comparative Analysis of News Depictions Concerning New Media and Eating Disorders. International Journal of Communication, 18, 21-21.

Education

Ph.D., Media, Technology and Society, Northwestern University
MA, Media, Technology and Society, Northwestern University
BA, Communication Studies and Art, Theory & Practice, Northwestern University