Michael Wigton

Michael Wigton resides in Des Moines, IA, with his wife and three teenagers. He is a Teaching Professor at Iowa State University, where he received his undergraduate degree. He earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN. His thesis topic was Student Learning Through Social Media.

Recognized for teaching excellence, Wigton has won three university teaching awards at Iowa State for Student Advising Impact (2022) and Teaching Innovation (2020). He is also an Allen Essman Faculty Fellow, an award that recognizes outstanding work as a teacher, a mentor, and as an ISU university citizen.

Prior to his academic career, Wigton worked professionally for over 20 years in advertising and public relations. He has managed campaigns for Fortune 500 clients at agencies in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Kansas City, and Washington, D.C., inducing Carmichael Lynch, VMLY&R, and Arnold Worldwide.

Wigton is the winner of several industry awards, including a Gold Effie, a PRSA Silver Anvil, and multiple gold and silver American Advertising Awards.