Published: May 4, 2017
Contact: Edward Brown, Chief of Staff | Office of the President
Tuskegee University has hired public relations veteran Michael Tullier, APR to serve as its senior director of communications, public relations and marketing. Tullier brings to this role more than two decades of experience leading organizational communications and branding in higher education and nonprofit settings.
Tullier will direct ongoing strategic communications and marketing programs that advance the university’s brand and vision among current and prospective students, alumni, donors and other constituencies. He will oversee the Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing while collaborating with other senior leaders and units, including the Office of the President, to articulate how the university is meeting the needs of its students, alumni and community.
“Michael’s leadership will be instrumental in maintaining Tuskegee University’s trajectory as a sustainable academic organization committed to excellence,” Tuskegee University President Brian Johnson said. “He brings extensive experience in public relations to his work, and we are confident that his skills will assist us.”
During his 16 years with Auburn University, Tullier led communications and marketing initiatives on behalf of a multidisciplinary research center, its College of Education, and its Office of Development. His accomplishments have included executing reputation-management campaigns that advanced the College of Education’s standings in national rankings; digital communications that expanded outreach to alumni and increased the success of online charitable giving; and branding and fundraising communications strategies that contributed to the success of its current “Because This is Auburn” $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. He frequently has served as an adjunct instructor for courses preparing undergraduate students for careers in the public relations field.
Tullier’s civic and community involvement includes volunteering as a leader with Boy Scout Troop 50 in Auburn and president of the Rotary Club of Auburn, Alabama. He has served in local, regional and national leadership positions with the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Southern Public Relations Federation and Public Relations Society of America. After earning the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation in 2003 from the Universal Accreditation Board, he served on the New York-based board for five years—including one year as its national chair. He was honored by PRCA in 2004 with its Philip R. Forrest Jr. State Practitioner of the Year award, and by SPRF in 2005 with its Professional Achievement Award.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication, as well as a master’s degree in public administration from Auburn University.
© 2017 Tuskegee University