To The Leader

Beaumont, Texas –Lamar University is proud to announce that Shelly Vitanza has been named the director of public affairs. Vitanza will be responsible for managing Lamar University’s relationship with the community, stakeholders and the media.

Vitanza is a native of Beaumont, a graduate of Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a minor in political science from Texas A&M University. Previously, Vitanza served as the specialty publications manager for the Beaumont Enterprise. “Lamar University is one of our community’s biggest assets, helping to define Southeast Texas,” said Vitanza. “This is a real opportunity to broadly share the attributes of the university. Who wouldn’t want to brag about the goodness of home, and there is a lot of good I can’t wait to tell people.”  

Director of Marketing and Special Assistant to President Kate Downing said the addition of a specialty communicator is now needed to concentrate specifically on communicating LU’s impact. “It’s an exciting time at Lamar University,” said Downing. “We’re beginning strategic planning this month, a state-of-the-art science and technology building is opening in March, more and more research grants have been awarded to faculty members who are doing projects of national importance, and LU is enjoying success in several competitive arenas – football and basketball, for starters. With so much happening, we needed a team member who could solely focus on telling LU’s story, locally and across the state.”