Kathleen Wagstaff, Assistant Director for News Services
Experience
Assistant Director for News Services - 2005 to present
Office of University Communications & Marketing, University of West Georgia
Draft media releases and announcements to publicize the newsworthy activities of the university and the achievements of its administration, faculty and students; serve as a primary contact for media inquiries; provide marketing strategies and publicity for academic departmental activities including regional environmental, social and economic conferences and lectures, theatre productions, gallery exhibits, and music festivals and concerts; coordinate media visits and interviews on campus; hire, supervise and train interns, student assistants and Student Research Assistant Program employees in media relations; direct publicity for the A DAY campaign and the undergraduate Research Day and Big Night events; assist in coordinating the annual UWG Earth Day event; research and write marketing copy, news and feature articles for University Advancement publications and external advertisement; oversee the Expert Guide and the News, Events and Features sections on the UWG Web site; oversee a “UWG in the News” online service and a daily e-report to the President’s Advisory Committee (PAC); assist in commencement ceremonies and the Duke University TIP Recognition Ceremony; assist in publicity of all university-wide honors award and scholarship recipients; conduct group campus tours for high school and middle school students; visit public schools to promote higher education and UWG; provide support to the Assistant Vice President of UCM.
Staff Writer - 1998 to 2005
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Cherokee Bureau
Worked as a general assignment reporter and contract writer to produce weekly features on local people, places and events; wrote and reported restaurant reviews, health inspection and police reports; covered public schools, elections, government, business and breaking news.
Writer/editor - 1997 to 1998
Star Printing
Wrote and edited for Southeastern Antiquing and Collecting Magazine and The Framer Magazine.
Freelance - 1997 to 2001
Provided archival research, photograph, editing, writing and layout services to newspapers, periodicals, newsletters and authors.
Staff writer, section editor, columnist - 1995 to 1997
The Cherokee Tribune
Worked as a general assignment reporter and covered county and city governments, schools, growth and development, elections, health and local and state issues. Wrote a personal column on current events and local issues.
Campus and Community Service
Membership and training in:
- Atlanta Press Club
- Public Relations Administrators Committee (PRAC)
- Georgia Educators Administrators Committee (GEAC)
- American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
- Atlanta Regional Committee of Higher Education (ARCHE)
- Judge for the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
- Speechwriting for College and University Presidents
- Pandemic Flu Communication Committee, District 4
- Risk Communication Training, District 4
- UWG Pandemic Flu Planning Committee
- UWG Energy Conservation Committee
- UWG Earth Day Committee
- Kiwanis International of Carrollton
- League of Women Voters
Education
B.A. in English Literature/Communications, Kennesaw State University, 1996
