Florida State University’s Office of University Communications is the university’s primary office for communications and public relations and is responsible for disseminating official news, media relations, crisis communications, digital media and social media. The University Communications team collaborates with colleagues around campus to produce content that educates the public about faculty research, student and alumni achievement and our innovative programs and earns positive media attention for the university.
What We Do
News Dissemination
University Communications develops and disseminates news releases and advisories to media representatives around the world on university research and initiatives, plans, people, research, unique programs, recognitions and other news at FSU.
Media Relations
The University Communications team contacts editors and writers directly with FSU news leads and responds to news media inquiries daily. The team cultivates relationships with the media to enhance media coverage of the university and promotes key initiatives, news and research communications. The team also counsels faculty and staff on how to work with reporters and publicize their accomplishments.
Crisis Communications
University Communications personnel act as spokespersons during emergency situations. The team also works with FSU Police and Emergency Management to update alerts.fsu.edu with the latest information on operational status and campus safety.
Executive Communications
University Communications is responsible for assisting the President and cabinet members on crafting key messaging, speeches and internal communications.
Social Media
The social media team manages the day-to-day operations of the university’s primary and official social media accounts. The team also generates daily content and campaigns in support of strategic communications efforts, supports emergency communications, and provides services and counsel to campus partners.
Digital Storytelling
The Digital Media team creates brief, informative video stories for news.fsu.edu as well as FSU’s official YouTube channel. These digital stories are shared daily across social media platforms by official university departments and organizations.
FSU Headlines Radio
The Digital Media team also produces daily radio feature stories for broadcast in the Tallahassee area on WFSU 88.9FM and WFSQ 91.5FM and in Panama City on WFSG 89.1FM.
Experts Database
Florida State University’s faculty expert database (experts.fsu.edu) provides access to researchers and subject matter experts. We are continually working to identify experts to add to this database, raising the profile of our world-class faculty. The team also pitches experts on timely topics of national interest.
news.fsu.edu and fsu.edu
The University Communications team manages all Florida State University news on the university’s homepage (fsu.edu) and news website (news.fsu.edu).
The Big Story
The Big Story email newsletter is a weekly roundup of top FSU news happenings sent to university stakeholders and those who subscribe. Subscribe to The Big Story.
Daily News Digest
The Daily News Digest is a curated daily snapshot of internal and external FSU news, research news and social media posts. It is produced Monday through Friday and arrives in your inbox before 8 a.m. Subscribe to the Daily News Digest.
Faculty & Staff Briefs
Faculty & Staff Briefs are curated monthly with brief news about faculty and staff honors and awards, publications, presentations, grants and other notable items. Submit briefs to aprentiss@fsu.edu.
Announcements for Students, Faculty & Staff
University Announcements (announcements.fsu.edu) are the go-to place for university notices and memorandums. Managed by Information Technology Services and University Communications, the weekly email is delivered each Thursday afternoon to the campus community.
How to Work with University Communications
- Publicize your research. Faculty interested in sharing their research news should share information as soon as their paper is accepted, books and essays pre-publication so that we can determine how best to promote your scholarship and research. This will also allow us pitch media before the publication date, which reporters always appreciate.
- Share your expertise. The first step is to contact your liaison in the Office of University Communications and let them know your areas of expertise and availability. Also, request to be added to our Experts Database (experts.fsu.edu). Reporters and producers visit FSU’s website or use web searches to locate an expert on a particular issue. The more accessible you are, the more likely it is that you will be contacted for an interview.
- Show your work. Is your research visually compelling? Photographs and videos can enhance and augment media coverage. University Communications can work with you to tell your story visually, so let your liaison and the Digital Communications team know about opportunities to capture images and video.
- Receive media relations counsel. If you have questions about working with reporters, the University Communications staff can help. We can offer tips and advice on preparing for media interviews and responding to reporters.
Contact Us
Physical Address
Office of University Communications
Westcott Building
222 South Copeland Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306
Media Relations Main Phone
(850) 644-4030