College of Engineering Names New Director of Communications

Christin Finney

Jennifer Cook

Jennifer Cook joined the College of Engineering as director of communications on Sept. 13. As a leading member of the development and external relations team, she will oversee the strategic communications efforts of the college, working with College of Engineering senior staff to advance the college's reputation locally, nationally and internationally.

"We are pleased to have Jennifer as part of the college's team. Her leadership and project management experience, along with a background in writing and editing, made her the top candidate for the position," said Bill Lansden, senior director of development and external relations for the College of Engineering.

"Jennifer will be a great addition to the team," said Dean Kim Needy. "She brings advanced writing and communications skills, having served decades in writing and editing roles and the last year and a half handling crisis communications. I am confident her experience will advance the college's reputation."

Prior to joining the College of Engineering, Cook was the senior media relations and communications specialist for Mercy of Northwest Arkansas. She worked in the newspaper industry for more than two decades, most recently as city editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Arkansas edition.

Cook grew up in Fayetteville. She holds a bachelor of journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia. She lives in Fayetteville with her husband, Kyle.

"I'm excited to begin this new chapter and look forward to helping to tell the story of the College of Engineering, our phenomenal academic programs and the important work of our world-class researchers," she said.