Communications and Media Relations

The University of Idaho's communications team is dedicated to promoting and delivering the stories and messages of the university, its faculty, staff and students. We understand how our audiences listen and engage, and our communications team is here to help U of I employees reach communications goals.

Our team consists of marketing and communications managers (marcomms) embedded in units across the university who are supported centrally by University Communications and Marketing (UCM). Units without a marcomm are supported by UCM central staff.

Our staff includes media relations experts, trained journalists and professional editors who can help you develop a clear message with adherence to the university’s brand voice and style.

No matter what your communications needs are, UCM can help your story best represent who we are: smart, creative and consistent Vandals.

Media Relations

The University Communications team promotes university news to media sources and helps connect reporters with university experts. Through print, digital and broadcast media, we work to get the story of University of Idaho to audiences around the world.

Faculty and Staff
Have information that needs to reach the media? Let our team help you be successful by finding the best channel and angle for your story. Our staff is composed of trained media professionals and former reporters who know how to target content. If you need assistance developing a media strategy, please contact the marketing and communications manager in your unit or Communications Director Jodi Walker.

For the Media
Members of the media seeking sources are encouraged to contact External Communications Coordinator Danae Lenz for assistance. To help us connect you with the best expert source as quickly as possible, include your deadline and a general idea of the topic of your story. Members of the media who would like to request an interview with members of the university’s executive leadership team may reach Jodi Walker at 208-885-4295 or jwalker@uidaho.edu.

Story and Content Development

Sometimes it’s difficult to identify a good story while you’re living it. That’s where U of I’s trained team of professional writers come in. Our team will bring a fresh perspective and help you find the right angle for your story. We are trained at helping tease out narratives that support the university’s strategic goals while bringing needed attention to the great work being done by our faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Feature articles produced by UCM are used on the U of I website, in print publications and marketing materials, in email newsletters and on social media. We extend the reach of our stories by offering them to media in relevant markets.

Our team will look at your story and help identify the best way to tell it — through traditional storytelling, incorporating photo or video and options for custom web design.

In addition to research projects, new ventures and student profiles, the communications team also features articles each commencement cycle to highlight the endeavors of graduating students.

Internal Communications

Internal email, newsletters and memos help our employees and students across the state stay engaged and informed about news and events critical to their success. University Communications works closely with executive leadership and units across campus to make sure that important information is delivered in a timely manner and with a clear message.

University Communications and Marketing (UCM) produces several internal newsletters to help keep the U of I community informed. Each has a targeted message for its audience. All employees and students are invited to submit items of interest to the appropriate newsletters. You can manage your email subscriptions and join mailing lists at uidaho.edu/news/email-preferences.

If you are interested in starting a newsletter or sending email about your program, department or unit, please contact Jodi Walker or the marketing and communications manager in your unit. They will help you set goals, identify resources and create a communication strategy that meets your needs and supports the university’s goals and brand.

Meet Your Communications Team

Central Communicators

	Jodi Walker Executive Director of Communications and Co-Chief Marketing Officer 208-885-4295 jwalker@uidaho.edu
	Danae Lenz External Communications Coordinator dlenz@uidaho.edu
	Todd Mordhorst Executive Communications Manager tmordhorst@uidaho.edu
	Leigh Cooper Strategic Content Manager and Science Writer leighc@uidaho.edu
	Joy Bauer Content Coordinator jbauer@uidaho.edu
	Ralph Bartholdt Communications Manager rbartholdt@uidaho.edu
	David Jackson Communications Manager davidjackson@uidaho.edu

Unit Communicators

	Amy Calabretta Assistant Director of Marketing and Events College of Agricultural and Life Sciences arysdam@uidaho.edu
	Alissa Korsak Marketing and Communications Manager University of Idaho Boise, College of Graduate Studies akorsak@uidaho.edu
	Alexiss Turner Communications and Marketing Strategist College of Engineering alexisst@uidaho.edu
	Megan Snodgrass Marketing and Communications Manager University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene megans@uidaho.edu
	Lori Rock Marketing and Communications Manager College of Business and Economics rock@uidaho.edu