Published: Oct. 23, 2006

Four finalists for the position of Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications at the University of Colorado at Boulder are visiting the campus this week and next for interviews with campus officials.

The four were selected from 130 applicants in a national search, said Paul Voakes, dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication who heads the search committee.

Voakes said the campus is seeking a person to lead an integrated marketing approach to communications, all aimed at "positioning the campus as a high-quality research and teaching institution whose work improves the quality of people's lives in Colorado and beyond."

The four finalists are:

o Debra Osburn, executive vice president of Lezotte Miller Osburn Public Relations, Inc. in Grand Ledge, Mich.

o Joel Seligman, assistant vice president for strategic communications at Boston University.

o Michael Warden, assistant vice chancellor for public affairs at the University of Texas System in Austin.

o Andre Pettigrew, assistant superintendent, administrative services, for the Denver Public Schools.

Last week the university selected Bronson Hilliard, managing editor of the Colorado Daily in Boulder, as director of media relations and spokesperson. Hilliard will deal directly with the press, Voakes said, and will report to the associate vice chancellor, who will be responsible for overall campus communications and marketing.

That person will be named within the next few weeks, Voakes said.