VCU news

Contact us

VCU News is produced by Public Relations, along with the twice-weekly VCU Newsletter and daily TelegRAM. As part of Enterprise Marketing and Communications, Public Relations leads the news and public information efforts of VCU and VCU Health.

If you have questions, comments or a story idea, email vcunews@vcu.edu.

Staff

Contact information for VCU News staff is listed below, along with contact details for additional public relations contacts across the university and the rest of the Public Relations staff.

For media inquiries, contact one of the Public Relations staff members below. The news topics they are responsible for are included on their bio pages. Members of the media should call or text (804) 418-0174 to reach an on-call Public Relations staff member for emergency requests outside of regular business hours. See more information and guidelines for media.

Photo of Michael R. Porter
  • Michael R. Porter, APR
  • Associate vice president for public relations

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Photo of Jake Burns
  • Jake Burns
  • Public relations specialist, VCU Police

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  • Jennifer Carmean
  • Assistant vice president for content and storytelling

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  • Leigh Farmer
  • Assistant Director of Public Relations, VCU Health

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Photo of Elinor Frisa
  • Elinor Frisa
  • Director of story development

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Photo of Eliana Grijalva
  • Eliana Grijalva
  • Executive events coordinator

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Photo of Tom Gresham
  • Tom Gresham
  • Director of news operations

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Photo of Amelia Heymann
  • Amelia Heymann
  • Public relations coordinator

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Photo of Michele Howell
  • Michele Howell
  • FOIA officer

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  • Amy Saucier Kelley
  • Executive director, University Events and Strategic Operations

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Photo of Abigail A. Klose
  • Abigail A. Klose
  • Legal assistant, VCU Office of University Counsel

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Photo of Abby Kruger
  • Abby Kruger
  • Event and marketing coordinator

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Photo of Sara McCloskey
  • Sara McCloskey
  • VCU Health News editor

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  • Brian McNeill
  • Director of public relations, Monroe Park Campus

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Photo of Jack Norton
  • Jack Norton
  • TelegRAM editor/writer

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Photo of Danielle Pierce
  • Danielle Pierce
  • Director of public relations, VCU Health

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Photo of Mia Stephens
  • Mia Stephens
  • Public Relations Coordinator, VCU Health

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  • Olivia Trani
  • Senior public relations specialist for research and science

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  • Joan Tupponce
  • Writer

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Photo of Leila Ugincius
  • Leila Ugincius
  • Senior public relations specialist

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  • Dina Weinstein
  • Writer

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Photo of Sian Wilkerson
  • Sian Wilkerson
  • Public relations specialist, Monroe Park Campus

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Photo of Shea Wright
  • Shea Wright
  • Senior public relations and communications specialist, CMH

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For the media

Our public relations staff members are here to assist journalists and members of the media as they cover stories and people at VCU and VCU Health. We are a 24-hour operation, and you can call or text (804) 418-0174 to reach an on-call public relations staff member for emergency requests outside of regular business hours. Please adhere to the guidelines below.

  • Media representatives must arrange interviews and photo shoots with VCU faculty, staff or patients in advance through Public Relations.
  • A Public Relations staff person will accompany any reporters, video crews and photographers while on campus to ensure confidentiality, privacy and appropriate sensitivity to students, patients and families. Members of the media may not enter student housing or position themselves at the entrances to student housing, except on rare occasions with special permission.
  • News media must seek permission from Public Relations to set up to videotape or broadcast live from campus and they must park in designated areas. Permission will usually be granted for exterior work as long as it does not interfere with university operations.
  • Members of the media reporting on VCU Health must follow additional guidelines, and Public Relations staff pay particular attention to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and other regulations involving patient confidentiality. Please review the guidelines on the VCU Health brand website.