Leona Long

I am so happy to join you at UA Statewide. Please reach out to me with ideas and suggestions for the Statewide Bulletin and the UA News. I am always looking for stories for our newsletters and to pitch to journalists.

I am grateful for the opportunity to join UA’s Office of Public Affairs as Manager of News & Content. I have been with statewide since February 11. In my position, I help tell the stories about how the University of Alaska makes our state a better place for the communities and people we serve. I help manage our social media accounts, the UA News website and newsletters. I also monitor media coverage, write press releases and pitch stories.

Previously, I was the Public Information Officer for UAF’s College of Rural and Community Development. With no previous experience in Alaska or working with rural and Alaska Native communities, I researched, planned and implemented the first strategic communications effort for our rural campuses and Alaska Native programs. (I didn’t even know what a fish wheel was.)

Working for the rural campuses taught me the value of the University of Alaska and how we work together to make Alaska better for all. My favorite part of that job was walking around the Brooks Building to ask what students, faculty and staff thought about a flyer or inquire about the great things they were doing so I could find news stories to pitch Alaska journalists. My work was challenging and rewarding. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always fun!

I have been in public relations since 1998. I started at a small PR agency in Los Angeles and worked in health care. I also wrote for regional lifestyle magazines, interned at three TV news stations and learned how to write with one-on-one coaching from a best-selling author and producer/reporter for CNN and Associated Press television. In 2007, I took some time off to go back to school at UAF where I met the love of my life, my husband Ryan. I have attended five different colleges and universities in three states. I graduated from Weber State University with a degree in English.

Working in PR, I have seen the difference that it makes for people and organizations. That’s why I am passionate about ongoing professional development. I enjoy learning the latest in media pitching techniques and how PR is evolving. I am also half of the Alaska PR team that is helping to launch PBS KIDS Molly of Denali, which premieres July 15. I also serve on the Fairbanks Alaska Federation of Natives public relations committee.