Colorado State University Invests in New Efforts to Connect to Denver

Colorado State University has tapped Michele McKinney to direct public relations efforts in Denver.

As part of a broader effort to connect CSU to Denver, the university has hired McKinney to orchestrate public relations efforts to promote Colorado State University in Denver. The public relations initiatives will help elevate work by faculty and students more in the metro Denver area.   

McKinney will work with alumni, marketing, development, legislative affairs and the president’s office to direct communications strategies and support efforts in Denver. She also will participate in and support media relations and strategic communications efforts for the university.

Additional responsibilities will entail strategic planning, development and implementation of public relations and community relations to strengthen CSU’s presence among the media, alumni and university constituents in Denver. CSU hopes this integrated approach, in conjunction with enhanced marketing efforts and a growing presence at CSU’s Denver Center, will make the university more top-of-mind in the Denver community.

"Colorado State University provides enormous value to all Colorado residents whether that’s educating  the workforce, contributing to economic development through research breakthroughs or training master gardeners, and we must communicate that value to taxpayers," said Brad Bohlander, executive director of public relations for Colorado State. "Michele’s outstanding experience and a strong track record of success will greatly benefit Colorado State’s efforts in Denver and beyond."

A key priority will be to heighten the public’s awareness of CSU’s pioneering work in renewable energy, sustainability and water research and how CSU is driving Colorado’s new energy economy.

McKinney will also align CSU with Denver-based events and organizations that tie in with CSU’s unique strengths including bioscience and veterinary medicine and the human benefits associated with those fields.

McKinney previously worked for the University of Colorado as the director of communications and spokesperson for the CU system and office of the president. She was responsible for media relations and internal and external communication strategies. McKinney joined CU in 2002 as the president’s speechwriter and assistant director of public relations.

McKinney has nearly 20 years of marketing and communications experience. She came to Denver in 1995 from Philadelphia, Penn., where she was the director of marketing for a medical device company. McKinney has worked in communications for several Denver-based non-profits and public relations agencies.

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