Media Relations

The UMSSW Marketing and Communications team partners with UMB Communications and Public Affairs to promote our faculty, research and programming to various local and national media outlets. 

If you are contacted by a member of the news media, please email communications@ssw.umaryland.edu as well as Alex Likowski at alikwoski@umaryland.edu and Brittany Brookins at bbrookins@umaryland.edu.   By notifying both the UM SSW and UMB Communications Teams, you will allow us to track our media presence, brainstorm opportunities to repurpose content, as well as help you prepare.   

The UMB Public and Media Relations Team offers media training sessions to help University faculty and staff handle media interviews and appearances.  Sessions are limited to 12 people and last approximately 2 hours.   

WHAT THE TRAINING INCLUDES: 

• Hands on training for all types of media (T.V., print, radio, virtual) 
• Mock interviews with media experts 
• Immediate feedback and tips to improve 
• A recording of your mock interview 
• UMB Media Training Handbook 

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: 

• How to effectively prepare for an interview 
• How to present yourself on camera 
• How your interview will be used by the media 
• How to be in control of an interview from start to finish 
• How to convey your whole message in one sound bite 

WHY TALK TO MEDIA? 

• Positions UMB and UMSSW as an anchor institution and leader in the community 
• Creates brand awareness on a larger scale 
• Raises your personal profile as an expert or commentator in your field 
• Generates additional sources of funding from donors 
• Strengthens relationships with media for future coverage 

The UMB Experts Guide was developed to help identify faculty and staff to speak to topics of interest in response to media inquiries and alerts.  To add or update your profile, please contact Brittany Brookins at bbrookins@umaryland.edu.