ITHACA, NY—Ithaca College has named Anne Macdonald as its new director of media relations. A seasoned professional with more than 20 years of writing, editing, and communications experience, Macdonald began her new duties in July.

 

“We have redefined the department’s structure to allow for greater focus on attaining strategic national and regional media attention for the college,” says Tom Torello, executive director of marketing communications. “We are very excited about the skills and experience Anne will bring to the college’s effort to publicize the exceptional achievements of our faculty, staff, and students.”

 

Macdonald was most recently the director of communication at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. Prior to that she served as director of college communication at Westminster College in Salt Lake City for seven years. In addition to managing and improving that institution’s website, editing the alumni magazine, and overseeing community relations, Macdonald placed Westminster in such national outlets as the Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, San Francisco Examiner, and Scientific American.com. Her other higher education experience includes senior communications positions at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. She has also worked as an editor/writer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena and a reporter for The Orange County Register.

 

“I am delighted to be in ‘gorges’ Ithaca and especially to represent Ithaca College,” Macdonald says. “I particularly admire the college’s emphasis on preparing students to become global citizens and its commitment to sustainability, both locally and globally.”

 

Macdonald holds a master of fine arts in writing from Columbia University and a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from the University of California at Los Angeles. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America, and Counselors to Higher Education.

 

NOTE TO REPORTERS AND EDITORS:  In the reorganized Office of Media Relations, Dave Maley will serve as associate director for campus communication, where he will remain the primary contact for local and campus media.