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Lauren Robinson-Brown (Photo by Mahlon Lovett) |
An award-winning journalist, former communications director for the NJ Department of State and currently that department's second-ranking official, she succeeds Justin Harmon, who left earlier this spring to accept a position at Wesleyan University.
As an undergraduate, Robinson-Brown majored in English, earned a certificate in Afro-American Studies, had leadership roles in the Organization of Black Unity and the Black Thoughts Table, and was a senior editor of The Vigil and a disc jockey for WPRB. After earning a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and working for a Newark-based cable company, she began an award-winning career as a newspaper reporter, working first at the Newark Star-Ledger, then at the Dallas Times-Herald and the Boston Globe. She also wrote freelance articles for local and national publications, including journalism and educational monthlies and Black Enterprise Magazine in New York.
In March 1993 she was named executive director and press secretary for the Boston school board. In December 1994 she returned to her native New Jersey as director of communications for the Department of State, serving as press secretary for the department, overseeing its internal and external communications, and managing its communications staff. Six months later she was promoted to assistant commissioner, and in January 1998 she was again promoted, this time to assistant secretary of state. In this capacity she manages the department's daily operations, with particular emphasis on communications and strategic projects.
"Lauren brings experience, insight and a stellar record of accomplishment in all of the areas for which our director of communications is responsible -- press relations, internal and external communications, and publications -- and she brings both a deep understanding of and an attachment to Princeton," said Robert Durkee, vice president for public affairs. "She was the overwhelming first choice among those who helped interview our candidates, and we are delighted to be able to welcome her back to campus."
Durkee also announced the appointment of Yvonne Chiu Hays to succeed Caroline Moseley, who will be retiring this summer as the principal staff writer for the Princeton Weekly Bulletin and editor of Princeton Parents News. Hays will assume these duties while also writing news releases and other materials, including materials for the web.
A 1995 graduate of Dartmouth College, Hays served as editor in chief and chair of the Dartmouth daily student newspaper. After internships at several leading newspapers, including the Washington Post and New York Times, she has worked for the last four years at the Sacramento Bee. She has also been an officer of the Asian American Journalists Association in Sacramento where she has been a mentor to high school students interested in journalism careers.
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