Kevin Morrow, executive director of Syracuse University’s Office of News Services for the past 12 years, will assume a new leadership role in the rapidly burgeoning area of social media. Beginning Aug. 30, Morrow will become SU’s executive director of social media.
Morrow will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive and cohesive social media strategy for the institution. He will be part of the Division of Advancement and External Affairs’ Marketing and Communications Office, led by Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications Nicci Brown.
“During the past several years, social media has become an important communications vehicle for colleges, universities and virtually every institution,” says Senior Vice President for Public Affairs Kevin Quinn. “Kevin has been in the forefront of recognizing social media as a University-wide communications medium at SU, and we are fortunate to have him as an important part of our social media team.”
“Kevin has a deep knowledge of Syracuse University, and higher education in general,” says Brown. “This—coupled with his strength as a communicator and nuanced understanding of audience behavior—makes him a terrific choice for this role.”
Morrow served in SU’s Office of News Services for nearly 19 years, including 12 in the dual role of executive director and University spokesman, responsible for overseeing local and national media relations, crisis communications, internal communications and promotions consulting/planning. He was the founder and principal administrator of the Syracuse University Facebook page and has worked with various University staff and students on SU’s Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, iTunes, LinkedIn, Foursquare and other social media activities.
“Social media are becoming more and more ingrained in people’s lives, as exemplified by the phenomenal growth of Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other popular social media platforms,” Morrow says. “Syracuse University recognizes this and is embracing the opportunity to engage our students, alumni and others in these terrific interactive environments. I am pleased to play a leadership role in these efforts.”
Morrow is the recipient of numerous national and local honors, including six Gold Medal Awards, two Silver Medal Awards and one Bronze Medal Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE); 15 awards from the Syracuse Press Club, including the Phillip A. Hoffmann President’s Award for Best News Source; three awards from the Syracuse Ad Club; and two Exemplary Achievement Awards from Syracuse University.
He is a member of CASE, the Public Relations Society of America, PRSA Counselors to Higher Education, the Association of American Universities Public Affairs Network, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Public Affairs Network, the Syracuse Press Club and the Syracuse Ad Club.
In addition, Morrow is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society and an honorary member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. In the Syracuse community, he serves on the board of directors of Vera House Inc. (http://www.verahouse.org).
Associate Director of News Services Sara Miller will assume oversight of the Office of News Services staff and responsibilities on an interim basis.
