Diane Gayeski: Pioneering emerging technology at her alma mater

May 15, 2026 - 07:38

Diane Gayeski, a 1974 graduate of Ithaca College, has built a career at the intersection of academia and industry. Through her consulting firm, Gayeski Analytics, she has worked with major global clients including General Electric, Sony, and Fiat. Despite the growth of her business, Gayeski chose to remain in the classroom as a professor in the Department of Strategic Communication at IC. She later took on the role of Dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications.

Her work focuses on how organizations adopt and adapt to new technologies. Gayeski has helped companies rethink their communication strategies, often pushing them toward tools and platforms that were still emerging at the time. Her approach blends research with real-world application, a combination she says is essential for preparing students.

Gayeski's decision to stay at Ithaca College reflects a commitment to hands-on education. She believes that teaching keeps her grounded in the challenges that future communicators will face. By staying connected to both the corporate world and the campus, she offers students a rare perspective on how theory translates into practice. Her leadership at the Park School has also emphasized innovation, encouraging faculty and students to experiment with digital media, analytics, and immersive storytelling.