Jackson State U. taps FAMU grad to lead it's University Communications operation

Alonda Thomas

Alonda Thomas, a 2001 graduate of the FAMU School of Journalism, has been named associate vice president for University Communications and chief communications officer at Jackson State University.  She will start work July 6. 

Thomas, most recently, served as director of public relations at Howard University, where she was responsible for developing and managing the communications and media relations strategies designed to enhance the university’s reputation and visibility locally, nationally and internationally.

 

During her tenure at Howard the Office of University Communications received several awards, including the Public Relations Society of America 2021 Bronze Anvil Award for Executive Communications and the 2020 Bronze Anvil Award for Twitter Engagement (Howard Homecoming 2019), and the PRWeek 2020 Best in a Crisis Award (#HowardMedicineMatters campaign).

 

She was recently named one of PRWeek’s Women to Watch and PRNews’ Top Women in PR, Thomas will be responsible for brand and reputation management, marketing, media relations and strategic communications.

 

In 2013, Thomas served as director of media relations and interim chief communications officer at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University where she was responsible for the overall direction of the university’s media relations program, including managing the return of the Marching “100.”