University Public Affairs helps Virginia Commonwealth University communicate with the general public by working with news media regionally, nationally and internationally, and by providing other communications services.

We are a 24-hour operation. Members of the media should call or text (804) 418-0174 to reach an on-call public affairs staff member outside of regular business hours. On-call staff members can assist with emergency requests or assist reporters with an immediate deadline.

Staff

For media inquiries, contact one of the University Public Affairs staff members below. The news topics they are responsible for are included with their listing.

• Michael R. Porter, APR
• Associate vice president for public affairs
• Phone: (804) 828-7037
• Email: mrporter@vcu.edu
• Center for Community Engagement and Impact, Division of Student Affairs, Division for Inclusive Excellence

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• Esther Benenson
• News editor for VCU Health
• Phone: (804) 827-0871
• Email: benensone@vcu.edu

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• Mary Kate Brogan
• Public relations specialist
• (804) 828-7701
• Email: broganm2@vcu.edu
• College of Health Professions, School of Dentistry, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy

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• Corey Byers
• Senior public relations specialist
• Phone: (804) 828-3907
• Email: byersc@vcu.edu
• VCU Police

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• Jonsette Calloway
• Public relations specialist
• Phone: (804) 828-4482
• Email: callowayjn@vcu.edu
• VCU Parking and Transportation

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• Dedrain Davis
• Public relations coordinator

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• Raina L. Fields, APR
• Director of internal communications
• Phone: (804) 828-8601
• Email: fieldsrl@vcu.edu

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• Tom Gresham
• Director of news operations
• Phone: (804) 828-6051
• Email: tmgresham@vcu.edu

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• James Irwin
• News editor
• Phone: (804) 828-6052
• Email: jjirwin@vcu.edu

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• Chris Katella
• Public relations coordinator
• Phone: (804) 827-0218
• Email: katellac@vcu.edu
• Office of Sustainability, VCU Life Sciences

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• Brian McNeill
• Senior public relations specialist
• Phone: (804) 827-0889
• Email: bwmcneill@vcu.edu
• College of Humanities and Sciences, Department of Business Services, School of Social Work, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, School of Education, VCU Libraries

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• Alex Nowak
• Senior public relations specialist
• Phone: (804) 828-7028
• Email: alnowak@vcu.edu

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• Laura Rossacher
• Director for public affairs, VCU Health

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• Leila Ugincius
• Senior public relations specialist
• Phone: (804) 828-2725
• Email: lugincius@vcu.edu
• School of the Arts, School of Business, College of Engineering, Facilities Management, VCU Brandcenter, intern program

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Additional University Public Affairs staff

• Jennifer Carmean
• Director of communications for university initiatives
• Phone: (804) 828-4645
• Email: jcarmean@vcu.edu

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• Pauline Clay
• Copy editor

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• Elinor Frisa
• VCU home page manager
• Phone: (804) 827-2802
• Email: ejfrisa@vcu.edu

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• Michele Howell
• FOIA officer

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• Pat Kane
• Social media strategist
• Phone: (804) 828-2217
• Email: kanepm@vcu.edu

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• Jack Norton
• TelegRAM editor/writer

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• Tristana Nesvig Trani
• Director of social strategy and integration
• Phone: (804) 828-3043
• Email: tntrani@vcu.edu

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