Media Contacts
The News Service works to enhance the reputation, visibility and understanding of the University. We work with campus units to publicize research findings, creative work and major events. The News Service also promotes faculty experts on important topics in the news. The News Service also produces podcasts and news videos of experts, events and programs, and uses social media to help spread the news. As a result of this work, every year the University is featured thousands of times in news outlets around the world.
For a complete listing of units within the OVPC and available communication services, visit the OVPC website.
Media Contacts
Laura Lessnau, Director
Bernie DeGroat, Associate Director
Areas: Business, Economics, Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), Institute for Research on Labor, Employment, and the Economy (IRLEE)
Laura Bailey, Public Relations Representative
Areas: Public Health, Kinesiology, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Center for Human Growth and Development, Nursing
Jim Erickson, Public Relations Representative
Areas:Life Sciences Institute (stem cells), Natural Resources & Environment, Medical School/ Health System liaison, Nursing, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Biological Station, Earth and Environmental Sciences (formerly Geological Sciences), Museum of Natural History, Zoology Museum, Paleontology, Herbarium
William Foreman, Global Communications Manager, Public Relations Representative
Areas: International Institute, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Area Studies Centers, Foreign Languages and Literature, Center for Global and Intercultural Study (and GIEU), Architecture and Urban Planning
Laurel Gnagey, Public Relations Representative
Areas: School of Public Health, School of Education, CRLT, Student Experiences
Nicole Casal Moore, Public Relations Representative
Areas: Engineering, Physics, Math, Duderstadt Center, Astronomy, Sakai Project, Women in Science and Engineering, School of Information, Tech Transfer
Frank Provenzano, Public Relations Representative
Areas: Music, Art & Design, Art History, Institute for Humanities, Screen Arts and Cultures, Arts at Michigan, Botanical Gardens, Libraries, Museums, Arboretum
Diane Swanbrow, Public Relations Representative, ISR Director of Communications
Areas: Institute for Social Research, Surveys of Consumers, Survey research, Demographics, Sociology, American culture, Philosophy, Anthropology, History, Religious Studies
Jared Wadley, Public Relations Representative
Areas: Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Social Work, English, Organizational Studies, Communication Studies, Women's Studies, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Center for the Education of Women, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)
Xiaoxi Zhang, Weibo, Chinese Communications
Vivianne Schnitzer, Hispanic Communications Manager
News Service Multimedia and Support Staff
Mandira Banerjee, Creative Services Coordinator
Alessandra Gillen, News Clerk
Nicole Rhoads, Web Designer
Roger Sutton, Broadcast Media and Information Technology Manager