Keri Suarez has recently been appointed Andrews University's new Media Relations Specialist in the Office of University Relations. She will be on staff beginning Thursday, Feb. 28. Her primary responsibilities are to develop and communicate information designed to keep the public informed of the university's mission, programs, accomplishments and activities, through local, national and church media. Suarez is replacing Beverly Stout, who relocated last summer to Central Illinois.

Suarez is an Andrews alum, having received her BA in Communication with minors in Public Relations and Journalism in 2001. She comes to the Office of University Relations with an experienced background in news and journalism. She spent five years at Newscenter 16, NBC’s WNDU in South Bend, Ind.—two years as a production assistant and three as chief web producer. Her work with the WNDU website won her several awards, including the Associated Press Regional Award for "Best Web Site" in 2003.

Since November 2005, she has been a publicist for Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Ind., promoting their books and authors through special events, media releases, and printed promotional materials.

According to Suarez, "Typically, a career change invokes trepidation along with the excitement of change. But for me, joining the staff at Andrews University feels like a homecoming. It is a privilege to join the Andrews staff and be part of communicating the university’s bright future."

"Keri brings an excellent skill set that matches the requirements of this media relations position and we are pleased she is joining the staff," comments Rebecca May, director of University Relations. "We look forward to the relationships she will build that will bring improvements to our external and internal communication."