Michael Hegarty has been with NIET since 2016 after serving for five years as the director of communications and Outreach for the Arizona State University "Ready-for-Rigor Project," a TIF-funded grant that partnered with 60 high-need schools across the state to increase teacher effectiveness and student achievement.

During his 20-plus years in public relations, Michael has worked as the deputy director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, public relations manager with the Harlem Globetrotters, and in the public affairs offices of the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Drug Control Policy in Washington, D.C. Throughout this time, Michael has also organized and managed official and campaign events for the White House, senior officials and political candidates throughout the country and around the world.

Michael began writing for local Phoenix newspapers during high school and throughout after earning his journalism degree from the University of Arizona.