Contact News & Communications
Doing Business With Us
Who We Are
The Office of News and Communications is part of Duke's Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations. It works with the news media and others to highlight the activities of Duke's faculty, students and staff, both locally and throughout the world. The office is Duke's hub for campus news and events, scholarship and administrative issues.
What We Do
The staff of the Office of News and Communications interacts regularly with both the news media and members of the Duke community. Its activities include the following:
- News releases. These official reports give reporters complete information about research, events and other important news involving Duke. The office distributes the releases electronically to reporters and wire services, and posts them.
- News tips. When a faculty member has special expertise about a breaking news story, the office may prepare a "news tip" that alerts reporters. The tip generally includes several quotes and a description of the faculty member's background.
- Broadcast and audio capability. Professional radio and television studios on campus enable national and regional broadcasters to interview Duke faculty members and others.
- Duke Research. A multimedia-rich monthly publication, online or via email and RSS, that highlights compelling people and projects from across Duke's vibrant research community. Also offers practical navigation to research resources and faculty.
- Duke Today. The office publishes Duke Today, a daily online newspaper that serves the university community through a collection of stories about university news, scholarship, events daily alerts and news of use to employees.
- Contact Information:
- e-mail: duketoday@duke.edu
- Phone: 681-4514
- After-hours pager (for reporters on deadline):
- (919) 812-6603
- The Week at Duke is an electronic newsletter that summarizes the latest news, media coverage, upcoming events and “news you can use” from Duke. A new issue is e-mailed each Thursday to university faculty and employees. Students, parents, alumni and others are also welcome to subscribe
- Op-ed pieces. The office provides editing and placement assistance to faculty interested in writing opinion articles.
- Experts lists. Reporters looking for Duke experts on specific topics can find lists online here.
- Develop a strategy for disseminating news about your latest project, book or research.
- Respond when a reporter calls you with questions. Click here for tips on working with the media.
- Place an op-ed article, following guidelines such as those posted here.
- Call us. Our first recommendation is the most obvious: Let us know when you're doing something interesting, if you want to be included on our Experts List or if have other news. Don't assume we already know. Someone on our staff is assigned to your office - and we want to hear from you. Click here for details. If you're not sure who to contact, please call 684-2823 or e-mail dukenews@duke.edu.
- Call us early. If you wait until the day your article is published or your event is occurring, you're too late. Timing is critical in the news business. The more notice you provide our office, the better we can assist you in coming up with an effective strategy
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How we can help you
If you're a member of the Duke community, we're here to assist you with your questions about news and communications. Our staff has long experience working with reporters and planning effective communications strategies. We can help you to:
These are just a sample of the services we offer.
How you can help us be more effective
There's a lot going on at Duke, not to mention in the larger world, and it's easy for your event or idea to get lost in the noise. Here are two simple ways you can help the Office of News and Information get your activity the attention it deserves:
Contact Duke News Staff
Duke News writers, editors and staff:
Alphabetical listing by last name
- Karl Leif Bates, Director of Research Communications
- Maxine Borjon, Administrative Assistant
- Eric Ferreri, Senior Writer
- Steve Hartsoe, Senior Editor
- Camille Jackson, Communications Specialist
- David Jarmul, Associate Vice President of News and Communications
- Keith Lawrence, Director of Media Relations
- Jonathan Lee, Social and Digital Media Fellow
- Carson Mataxis, Senior Visual Media Producer
- Sakiya Lockett, Staff Assistant
- Meg McKee, Senior Program Coordinator
- Geoffrey Mock, Manager of Internal Communications
- Cara Rousseau, Social Media Manager
- James Todd, Video Manager
- Stuart Wells, Administrative Assistant
- Ashley Yeager, Science Writer
Karl Leif Bates
Director of Research Communications
Phone: 919-681-8054
FAX: 919-684-5760
News Coverage:
Writes, edits and coordinates coverage of university research news from all units, including Arts & Sciences, the Nicholas School of the Environment, the Pratt School of Engineering and Duke Medicine. He also edits Duke Research a monthly online magazine.
Background & Experience:
Joined Duke in 2007 from the University of Michigan, where he was director of life sciences communications. A 15-year newsroom veteran and member of the National Association of Science Writers, Karl is a former winner of the AAAS science writing award.
Maxine Borjon
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 919-684-3973
FAX: 919-684-5760
Responsibilities:
Assistant to David Jarmul, Associate Vice President of News and Communications
Background & Experience:
Came to the Office of News and Communications in 2001 after 20 years in the field of developmental disabilities in Missouri and California. 3 years as international trademark paralegal for largest intellectual property law firm on the West Coast. Bachelor's degrees in psychology and business administration.
Eric Ferreri
Senior Writer
News Coverage:
The humanities, including art and art history, African and African-American studies, Asian and Middle Eastern studies, classics, cultural anthropology, English, Germanic studies, history, international studies, literature, philosophy, religion, sociology and theater.
Background & Experience:
Came to Duke in 2011 from the Raleigh News & Observer, where he wrote about higher education issues across North Carolina. Prior to that, he held reporting posts at the Durham (N.C.) Herald-Sun and the Hartford Courant, where he covered education, crime, politics and local news. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he majored in journalism and political science.
Steve Hartsoe
Senior Editor
Phone: 919-681-4515
FAX: 919-681-7334
Steve Hartsoe
Senior Editor
Responsibilities:
Covers education, economics, and psychology; editor of The Week at Duke employee e-mail newsletter; edits and writes stories and news releases; leads media response; manages online resources Quick Facts About Duke, Duke at a Glance and experts lists.
Background & Experience:
Joined Duke in 2008 after 4 1/2 years as an editor-reporter with The Associated Press in Raleigh, N.C., and 11 years as a bureau chief, editor and reporter with newspapers in California, including The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, The Record in Stockton and the Sun-Star in Merced.
Camille Jackson
Communications Specialist
News Coverage:
African American studies, Asian and African languages and literature, library, political science, public policy, women's studies
Background & Experience:
Joined Duke in 2007 after working as a writer for Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights organization based in Montgomery, Ala. Before that she worked as a staff reporter at the New Haven Advocate in Connecticut. She holds a master of science degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University and attended Yale University and Southern Connecticut University as an undergraduate.
David Jarmul
Associate Vice President of News and Communications, Office of News and Communications
Phone: 919-684-6815
FAX: 919-684-5760
David Jarmul
Associate Vice President of News and Communications, Office of News and Communications
Responsibilities:
Directs all ONC activities – overseeing the news operation, managing Duke's top-level web pages and providing strategic coordination with university leaders and campus communicators.
Background & Experience:
Came to Duke in 2001 after working for more than 20 years as a science writer and communications expert at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Academy of Sciences and an international development organization in Washington. Honors graduate of Brown University and former Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal.
Keith Lawrence
Director of Media Relations
Responsibilities:
Oversees media outreach, including university news releases, news tips, expert lists and op-eds.
Background & Experience:
Came to Duke in 1995 after working for 10 years for the Baton Rouge, La., Advocate, the last seven years as assistant city editor. Prior to that, he was a bureau manager for UPI and reporter for the Winston-Salem Journal and the Sunbury (Pa.) Daily-Item. Graduate of Bucknell University.
Jonathan Lee
Web Content Manager / Graphic Designer
Responsibilities:
Manages web presences and assets for the Office of News and Communications. Creates designs to brand office products and compliment news stories.
Background & Experience:
Joined the News Office in 2012 as a Social & Digital Media Fellow after studying environmental iconography in Singapore as part of a Benenson Award in the Arts. Graduated from Duke University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and English.
Sakiya Lockett
Staff Assistant
Phone: 919-684-2823
FAX: 919-684-5760
Sakiya Lockett
Staff Assistant
Background & Experience:
Arrived at Duke in January 2008 after working as a payment processing clerk for a Durham collection agency. Other work experience includes four years as a front-end processor at BCBSNC and 1-1/2 years as an administrative assistant at Standards Based Solutions-East. She is currently a business major at Strayer University's RTP campus.
Carson Mataxis
Senior Visual Media Producer
Phone: 919-613-0057
FAX: 919-684-5760
Carson Mataxis
Senior Visual Media Producer
Responsibilities:
Supports the Office of News and Communications and the Development Office through video and animation.
Background & Experience:
Arrived at Duke in 2013 after 12 years of professional experience in video production, marketing and advertising. Most recently he managed a department of editors and animators at Capstrat. His accomplishments include 22 TV spots for "Tobacco. Reality. Unfiltered." which have been linked to a decline in the number of teen smokers across the state. He holds dual-degrees in Art+Design and Mass Communications from N.C. State University.
Meg McKee
Senior Program Coordinator
Phone: 919-668-6114
FAX: 919-684-5760
Meg McKee
Senior Program Coordinator
Responsibilities:
Manages Duke's online video site, Duke on Demand, and oversees video promotion through Duke's iTunes U and Youtube pages. Curates Duke's campus map and promotes events through the Events@Duke online calendar.
Background & Experience:
Arrived at Duke in 2008 after working in the Department of Communication Studies at UNC Chapel Hill, where she wrote and designed the departmental newsletter. Before that, she worked at Boston University School of Law. She holds a bachelor's degree in Theatre from Wake Forest University.
Geoffrey Mock
Manager of Internal Communications
Phone: 919-681-4514
FAX: 919-681-7334
Geoffrey Mock
Manager of Internal Communications
News Coverage:
Duke Today editor, faculty affairs, teaching issues.
Background & Experience:
Came to Duke in 1986, serving as assistant editor for the beginning of Dialogue. Became editor in 1987. Previously spent a year at the Havre de Grace Record and two years at the Gastonia Gazette. Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Cara Rousseau
Social Media Manager
Responsibilities:
Manages social media for the Office of News and Communications and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and leads social media strategy for the university.
Background & Experience:
Joined Duke in 2011 after serving as director of partnership initiatives for the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, where she focused on marketing, strategic initiatives, social media efforts and partnership relations. She worked previously at the City of Durham's Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
She holds an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School and an undergraduate degree in economics and political science, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
James Todd
Video Manager
Phone: 919-681-8061
FAX: 919-684-5760
James Todd
Video Manager
Responsibilities:
Manages video production and strategy for the Office of News and Communications.
Background & Experience:
Arrived at Duke in 2002 after working as a campaign coordinator at Vote For America and as a production assistant and commentator at WUNC-FM. Worked as a software salesman and holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Duke.
Stuart Wells
Administrative Assistant
Responsibilities:
News release production and distribution; news clippings coordinator, including E-clippings; covers Continuing Education
Background & Experience:
Joined the Duke News Service in 1995 with 16 years of experience as a weekly newspaper editor and reporter. Edited The Apex Herald and The Caswell Messenger. Bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ashley Yeager
Science Writer
News Coverage:
Covers chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, environmental and marine sciences
Background & Experience:
Arrived at Duke in 2010 after working at the W. M Keck Observatory, where she wrote and edited media releases, news stories and features for the Observatory's website and print publication, Cosmic Matters. Previously a science writing intern at Science News and Nature, she holds a master's degree in science writing from MIT and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.