 Alonda Thomas |
Howard University has named Alonda Thomas PR director in charge of media relations, reputation management and its push to increase overseas visibility.
Citing her stints at North Carolina Central University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the DC college cited Thomas’ ability to “combine her PR skills with her passion to promote historically black colleges and universities” among the reasons for her recruitment.
At FAMU, Thomas was media relations director and interim chief communications responsible for a $1M budget. She earned strong coverage for FAMU in the New York Times, Chronicle of Higher Education and MSNBC and handled PR surrounding the hiring of a new president.
Most recently, Thomas was senior PR manager at TV One, promoting programming such as “Rickey Smiley for Real,” and When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story."
She also served as publicity consultant for Liquid Soul, an entertainment and sports marketing firm in Atlanta. The work involved urban press outreach for Spike Lee’s film “Chi-Raq” and CNN’s “The United Shades of America, as well as PR/crisis management for the second season of ABC’s sitcom, “black-ish.”
Crystal Brown is VP-communications at Washington-based Howard University, which was founded in 1867.
Leigh Whitaker will return to the University of Pennsylvania on Oct. 1 as VP for government and community affairs.
Temple University has named Brian Keech VP-government & community relations after a national search.
Maine’s Bowdoin College has named NYU Abu Dhabi's Martin Mbugua senior VP-communications and PA. He takes the spot on August 1.
Notre Dame hires Pedro Ribeiro, who most recently served as SVP for communications and PA at the Association of American Universities, as VP for PA and communications, effective Oct. 2.
