(May 6, 2008) The University of Colorado Denver Office of Integrated University Communications is committed to promoting the diverse breadth of opportunities at the university — internally and externally — using the latest technologies and innovative strategies.
Every person who works at the university plays an important role in our public relations, whether intentionally or casually. We count on each employee to help us get the good word out about the University of Colorado Denver.
We encourage all staff, faculty and students to contact us when they learn of something outstanding — either planned or under way — to help us spread the good word.
Meet the team:
Steve Krizman, associate vice chancellor, Integrated University Communications
I try to bring people together by using my communication skills, and the considerable skills of the Integrated University Communications team. This bustling, multi-faceted university has a lot of stories and information to share, and it is my team’s role to facilitate that. We help the university drive toward its vision of being a uniquely integrated, cross-disciplinary institution of education, research, health care, and creativity. We help connect the staff, faculty, and students through internal communications channels. We help connect the university community with the public through media relations, public relations, and marketing programs. And we help connect the schools and colleges with alumni and supporters through communication tools such as magazines and websites. The common denominator in all these communication projects: excellent storytelling, because we know that is how people absorb and understand information best.
Contact: steve.krizman@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-2120.
Danielle Zieg, director of internal communications
As the internal communications unit, we are responsible for advising, developing and delivering proactive and responsive strategic messaging for and to UC Denver faculty, staff, students and other colleagues at each of our locations. We develop timely content for the Network website targeted to faculty and staff; prepare, edit and coordinate targeted e-mail message delivery to faculty, staff and students from UC Denver administration, CU-System administration and others as needed; prepare weekly On the Net message; maintain news and events information on the cudenver.edu home page; participate on UC Denver Emergency Response Team; represent UC Denver in Auraria Campus emergency planning and response as well as support awareness of other pertinent information.
Contact: danielle.zieg@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-5808
Karen Emily, office manager
I am the office manager of our department. As such I process everything that has to do with Human Resources for our staff, such as creating and posting new positions on the web, new hires, payroll and leave taken, etc. I also process everything that has to do with Finance, such as monitoring our budget, expenses and accounts payable. I also take care of all purchasing that is necessary, and arrange meetings and conference travel. In short, I do all of the “back office” administrative functions that keep our department running smoothly and hopefully help everyone else’s job be a little easier.
Contact: karen.emily@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-5816
Planning and Consulting
Catherine Worster, director of communications and planning
As director of the communications planning and consulting team, I head a team of communications strategists who help the 13 schools and colleges at the University of Colorado Denver achieve their communications goals. Each consultant works with their client schools, colleges and administrative units to focus their communications efforts. We identify their key relationships and determine the best ways to reach achieve their communications goals. We find ways to build bridges within the consolidated university and highlight the people and projects that support the University of Colorado Denver. Communications consultants facilitate the relationships between their clients, the CU Foundation, CU Governmental Relations, University Web Services, executive communications, internal communications, news media, and creative services. My clients are the School of Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Contact: Catherine.Worster@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-7805
Cecile Schoberle, associate director of the consulting group
I’m part of the team that works with clients to effectively distill and express their core brand messages, create targeted communications planned for a variety of markets and key constituents, and to bring the schools and colleges into the hearts and minds of their audiences. The consultants are on a daily adventure of heralding clients’ exemplary programs, people and research findings through the collaborative development of full-cycle, thoughtful communications/marketing strategies. We investigate new stories, brainstorm, clarify positioning, create content and share information. The beauty of the Integrated University Communications group is that it represents a total palette of possibilities for reaching clients’ communications goals. In our advisory role as consultants, we work to build bridges that connect schools/colleges, campuses and initiatives to highlight the strengths of the comprehensive University of Colorado Denver.
Contact: Cecile.Schoberle@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-5803
Amy Hume, communications consultant
I serve as a strategic marketing and communications advisor to the schools and colleges. I get to know the goals, issues, stories and communications needs of our clients and develop the strategic communications plans for the schools/colleges. As communications consultants, we consult with creative services, internal communications and public relations/media relations for assistance in developing and support in implementing the plans and assist in developing key messages for our clients, encouraging them to hone in on the significant differentiators of their school/college, and getting everyone within the school and their supporters to promote those messages. My clients include the Business School, College of Arts and Media, and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I also assist on university-wide/administrative projects such as the Research and Creative Arts Symposium, Faculty Recognition Event, etc.
Contact: Amy.Hume@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-3719.
Deanna Beckett, associate director of marketing and creative services
As associate director of marketing and creative services, I ensure that the content of our print publications is compelling, strategic and meets UC Denver standards. I hire freelance writers and editors or coordinate university resources as needed to get the job done. I work within our creative team to achieve the goals of our university clients and with our consulting and public relations teams to meet marketing goals for the university.
Contact: deanna.beckett@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-5804
Micheline Heckler, creative manager of marketing and creative services
As creative director, I am a key component in the creative team that produces design/layout, photography, printing and production of marketing material. I supervise a cadre of graphic arts and photography professionals hired to accommodate institutional needs for production.
Some responsibilities include:
• Serve as a consultant and expert adviser to academic and administrative units for design and image enhancement.
• Assess client’s needs and provide advice concerning design concepts, printing methods, production costs and production schedule.
• Orchestrate work among clients, writers, designers, and vendors for the processes involved in design, production and delivery of materials.
• Art direct free lance designers and photographers.
• Responsible for compiling and maintaining a repository of images used in marketing the campuses and their environment.
Contact: Micheline.heckler@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-5805
Jeff Exstrum, project manager
I like to think of a project manager as a juggler – keeping the various requirements afloat with one hand, while preventing them from crashing to the ground with the other. I think the most exciting aspect of my job is that not only do I get to be part of a unique, multidisciplinary, urban university environment, but I get to help spread the word and share our stories on a local, statewide, and national scale.
Contact: jeff.exstrum@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-3715
Erica Rothmier, editor/proofreader/writer
As the resident editor, I proofread and edit projects that come through the Office of Marketing and Creative Services. This is more than checking to make sure everything is spelled right or punctuated correctly. I make sure that materials about the University of Colorado Denver are consistent, accurate and support the mission, vision and values of the university. I am the keeper of the university editorial style guide, and I handle the annual catalog revisions.
Contact: erica.rothmier@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-3716
Public Relations and Media
Jacque Montgomery, director of media and public relations
As director of the media relations and public relations team, Jacque supports and oversees the media and public relations effort to promote and build the reputation of the University of Colorado Denver with media and in the community. She, along with Tonya Ewers-Makish, hold monthly media training sessions for faculty to prepare them for media opportunities. She serves as a consultant to media planning for University leadership. Jacque is a member of Colorado Healthcare Communicators and serves on the board of the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, serving as the coordinator of the chapter’s national student television program.
Contact: jacque.montgomery@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-6375
Tonya Ewers-Maikish, senior news media relations specialist
As a member of the media relations and public relations team, Tonya works to promote and build the reputation of the University of Colorado Denver with media. The media and pr team supports faculty in preparing for interviews as well as promotes faculty and student work, research, care and community involvement. The team works closely with the integrated university communications consultants in drafting media plans. Additionally, Tonya holds monthly media training sessions to support onsite training of those faculty wishing to participate in media. She also manages the teams intern program. Tonya is a member of Colorado Healthcare Communicators and the Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Contact: tonya.ewers@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-6374
Caitlin Jenney, news media relations specialist
As a member of the media relations and public relations team, Caitlin works to promote and build the reputation of the University of Colorado Denver with media. The media and pr team supports faculty in preparing for interviews as well as promotes faculty and student work, research, care and community involvement. The team works closely with the integrated university communications consultants in drafting media plans. Caitlin is a member of Colorado Healthcare Communicators and the Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Contact: caitlin.jenney@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-6376
Jackie Brinkman, public relations assistant
As a member of the media relations and public relations team, Jackie works to promote and build the reputation of the University of Colorado Denver with media. The media and pr team supports faculty in preparing for interviews as well as promotes faculty and student work, research, care and community involvement. Jackie is a member of Colorado Healthcare Communicators. Additionally, Jackie serves as the go-to person in the public relations office to organize tours for community groups.
Contact: jackie.brinkman@ucdenver.edu or 303-724-1525
Cathy Beuten, internal communications manager
The most rewarding aspect of my professional life is knowing that I'm keeping my constituents connected despite many being geographically miles apart. I'm also excited to be one of our university liaisons in cyberspace, spreading our mission, vision and values via social media. Our team is constantly devising ideas on how to best disseminate our important messages and stories to our internal and external audiences. Internally, we recognize that the university employees are the most important spokespeople we have -- getting you and keeping you up-to-date and engaged is our No. 1 priority. Contact: catherine.beuten@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-5802