Amanda Ruth-McSwain, Ph.D
Storytelling Meets Strategy
Dr. Amanda Ruth-McSwain has spent the majority of her career helping job seekers navigate the sometimes messy, always evolving world of work with clarity, confidence, and a dash of humor. She is a champion for young professionals, finding great honor in being part of their career journey.
Hello! So glad you stopped by. The opportunity to sit in a position where I get to help uncover your career story is a dream. I have helped college students tell their story for 20+ years, now I get to help you — what?!? While I enjoy all aspects of career planning and strategy, I have unhealthy enthusiasm for crafting amazing cover letters…cover letters that tell your story and translate your value. In fact, I believe magic happens in the place where your story and an employer’s story collide. So, let’s create some magic!
With a Ph.D. in organizational communication and deep expertise in leadership and strategic communication, my life’s work bridges the gap between what’s taught in classrooms and what’s actually happening in boardrooms and Zoom rooms. My research focuses on how mentoring relationships, developmental networks, and strategic communication practices shape career success—insights I bring directly into my coaching to help young professionals and mid-career individuals build meaningful, lasting connections and navigate complex career paths.
An award-winning educator and career consultant, I have spent over two decades designing, refining, and delivering courses on strategic, leadership, and business communication. My teaching emphasizes not only theory but also professional application, ensuring that students leave my classroom equipped with the skills needed to hit the ground running. I now channel my teaching and research experience into personalized coaching, dynamic workshops, and immersive career camps, helping professionals at all stages of their careers unlock their potential and achieve measurable growth. My style is approachable, humorous, and empathetic with the goal of making learning, coaching, and professional growth both engaging and transformative.
My Professional Work
I specialize in strategic communication, leadership development, and mentoring relationships. Over my career, I’ve built a reputation for designing innovative programs that connect students and professionals to immersive and practice-based opportunities. I founded The COMM Agency, a student-run communication firm that partners with community clients, and I lead global study-abroad programs that combine leadership theory with immersive, cross-cultural experiences. I am a tireless advocate for experiential learning that prepares students to transition seamlessly from the classroom to professional careers, instilling confidence, resilience, and the ability to navigate professional challenges effectively.
My leadership roles—including serving as Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, directing the Master of Arts in Communication program, and leading the nationally recognized Bully Pulpit Series—have strengthened my skills in organizational leadership, program development, and high-impact event management. I’ve also published research on mentoring relationships and developmental networks, leadership communication, narrative influence, and strategic communication practices while consulting with nonprofits and organizations to improve communication strategy and engagement.
Along the way, I’ve been honored as Professor of the Year at both the undergraduate and graduate level, recognized with the Distinguished Faculty Service Award, and celebrated for outstanding research and teaching excellence. At the core of everything I do is a commitment to helping others discover their voice, tell their story, and thrive in their professional community.
Beyond the Walls of Work
Beyond my professional life, I am deeply committed to my family and community. When I’m not coaching, mentoring, teaching or researching, I can often be found cheering on my three children from the sidelines of football fields and sports arenas, hiking and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the mountain west with my husband, or planning our next adventure with family and friends.
The performing arts have always been a big part of my life, so watching my kids on stage brings me incredible joy; so much so that I now sit on the board of the Bozeman Children’s Theater (BCT). What an honor and privilege to work with an organization that ensures access to transformative performance experiences for kids across our community.
The roles of wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, and engaged citizen are the most important; while I love my job(s), my greatest delight comes from the relationships that sustain me.
