Media Relations at Amherst College
The goal of the College’s media relations operation is, generally, to publicize strategically the stories of the members of our community and promote the excellence of Amherst’s academic offerings, financial aid program, and other initiatives. We take the College’s commitment to freedom of speech and of the press and the open exchange of ideas very seriously and strive not just to serve as a conduit for reporters to potential sources within the College community, but also to disseminate accurate and timely information to the media when needed. We serve as the primary point of contact with the news media for the College and our colleagues.
The Office of Communications alone is responsible for these public-facing functions:
- Proactively pitching media on College stories
- Issuing official news releases and statements on College matters
- Responding to requests for interviews with the media
- Approving and assisting reporters in their work, including when they visit campus
- Making a spokesperson or public information officer available to journalists
- Providing College-approved data, graphics, photographs and other materials
Crisis Communications
In times of institutional crisis or campus emergencies, our philosophy is to be as accurate, transparent, and open as possible with the media while looking out for the best interests of members of our community, including their privacy and safety. Because of this priority, we require that all media inquiries be directed to the Office of Communications. Our staff is solely responsible for responding to journalists’ requests, serving as the institutional voice in emergencies, and determining whether or not reporters have permission to access College property. Our campus is private property, and media access can be limited or prohibited by the Office in some instances (such as an unfolding emergency) for health and safety reasons.
Recommendations For Members of the Amherst Community Engaging with the Media
As part of our general mission to publicize Amherst people and programs, we support members of the College community by disseminating news, assessing and preparing for media interviews, editing opinion pieces, and producing and/or promoting campus events, among other functions. We ask that members of our community contact the Office of Communications to assist with coordinating media interviews and logistics, given that appropriate legal permissions or consents often need to be obtained.
If you are contacted by a reporter, please reach out to the following:
- Office of Communications: 413.542.2321, comm@amherst.edu
- Caroline Hanna, Director of Media Communications (she/her/hers): 413.542.8417 (o), 413.658.4123 (c), channa@amherst.edu
- Lawrence Kluttz, Associate Chief Communications Officer (he/him/his), (c) 704.340.0596, lkluttz@amherst.edu
- Sandra Genelius, Chief Communications Officer (she/her/hers): 413.658.5036 (c), sgenelius@amherst.edu