Liwag Joins University Relations As Director of Social Media Strategy

Photo by Whit Pruitt

Roland Liwag

Roland Liwag, an experienced digital media storyteller and content creator, is now leading social media strategy for the U of A after joining University Relations this summer. 

Liwag is managing the university’s primary accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as providing best practices and other guidance to the university’s social media managers. 

“From his first day on campus, Roland had a vision for the university’s primary social accounts and is implementing that vision,” said John Thomas, director of media relations and core communications. “He has a keen sense of how the university’s messages can resonate with our targeted audiences and help reinforce the U of A’s land-grant mission. His experience is invaluable to this role.”

Before joining University Relations, Liwag served as the director of digital media at Crystal Bridges and The Momentary, leading the team responsible for each institution’s websites, digital signage on both campuses and its mobile app. 

He also spent four years as TheatreSquared’s marketing manager, leading the regional theatre company’s presence on social media as it moved into its award-winning 50,000-square-foot facility in downtown Fayetteville in 2020. 

Liwag also previously worked in the Razorback Athletics department from 2015-2017 as its content strategist and sports information director for the Razorback women’s soccer team. 

With more than 20 years of digital communications experience, Liwag’s previous stops also include the University of Miami, CBS Interactive and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. 

Since joining the University Relations team, Liwag has broadened the university’s reach by establishing accounts on TikTok and BeReal, along with emphasizing organic content creation to increase engagement among students, faculty, staff and the overall Razorback community.

As part of his role, he joins a newly configured core communications team within Integrated Communications. The team collaborates with university relations staff and others across campus to support the flow of key information and messaging to internal and external audiences while reinforcing the positive impact of the university’s land-grant mission.

OTHER UNIVERSITY RELATIONS HIRES

• Tyler Woessner (videographer) – Woessner joined University Relations in August 2022 and will be part of the video production team within marketing and communications. He is a 2014 gradute from the U of A with a degree in journalism.
• Nell Wilbanks and Betty Adams (information specialists) – Wilbanks and Adams both joined University Relations in July 2022 and will be part of the administrative support team. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.