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University of Missouri CAFNR College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Collaborating for the Greater Good

Information for:  Future Students  |   Current Students  |   Alumni

About CAFNR

CAFNR Communications

What we do

As our highest priority, we build brand awareness and promote the reputation of the College through consistent messaging on websites such as cafnr.missouri.edu, through marketing publications such as the CAFNR Viewbook and through news online such as cafnrnews.com and Inside CAFNR (the College's monthly internal newsletter), social media, and through regional and national/international media relations. We provide marketing, editorial, Web, social media and consulting services for the College. Based on professional communications research, we uphold a consistent brand identity using CAFNR's style, outlined on mycafnr.missouri.edu.

Client services

Our staff

Kristen Smarr

Director of Communications
882-8832
smarrke@missouri.edu

Kristen is the team leader, overseeing the CAFNR brand in all communication forms and with all audiences, internal and external. As head of the CAFNR Communications staff, she manages budgets, staff, projects and training. She supervises the creation and integration of all marketing communication products, including advertising, brochures, news, Web content and design, social media and much more. Kristen also directs crisis communication management within the College.

Genevieve Howard

Senior Multimedia Specialist
882-6579
howardg@missouri.edu

Genevieve manages existing College websites and builds new ones, making pages more usable, visually appealing and dynamic. She works directly with faculty and staff to enhance effective online communications, social media opportunities and Web needs. She facilitates and enriches the College's social media presence and creates event promotion campaigns for the College. In addition, Genevieve teaches a Communicating on the Web course (Science and Ag J 3240) and monitors trends on comparative College websites.

Randy Mertens

Coordinator of Media Relations
882-3237
mertensr@missouri.edu

Randy keeps in close touch with CAFNR administrators and faculty to develop significant news articles for distribution and for use on CAFNR websites and with internal publications. He manages relationships between key media contacts and College personnel to secure placement of College feature and news stories. Randy is the primary CAFNR contact for media inquiries, provides media training for College personnel and analyzes media story placement against a strategic plan.

Michelle Hall

Marketing Communications Coordinator
882-0232
hallmich@missouri.edu

Michelle writes promotional material and guides marketing projects to completion for College priority areas including development, alumni relations, research, student recruitment and student services to enhance undergraduate and graduate recruitment, retention and job placement, and alumni engagement. She coordinates various communication methods for internal audiences to ensure consistent and meaningful interaction with faculty and staff.

Aaron Duke

Web and Design Specialist
882-9710
dukea@missouri.edu

Aaron manages existing College websites, applies new technologies to the sites and develops graphics that effectively convey the CAFNR message. He works closely with the entire communications team to ensure project goals are met. He also provides photography on a limited basis for the College.