A well-known broadcast journalist in the Mountain State and recent arrival to West Virginia University, Shauna Johnson has been named director of news communications for University Relations and Enrollment Management.
Johnson joined WVU in April 2021 as the news and information manager for the UREM Office of Communications. In her new role, she serves a key position in the unit, providing day-to-day leadership in news and media relations operations, including crisis communications.
“Shauna is a Fairmont native and WVU graduate who has gained the respect of her colleagues around the state and region, and now here at the University. We are fortunate to have her skills and experience as part of our team,” Executive Director of Communications April Kaull said.
Johnson’s private-sector career, prior to coming to WVU, spanned more than 25 years in broadcasting and public relations across the state. She worked at WBOY-TV in Clarksburg before joining West Virginia Radio Corporation’s Charleston newsroom. In 2001, Johnson took over as news director for WAJR-AM in Morgantown. She joined the communications staff at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in 2004, before returning to West Virginia Radio Corporation where she served as assistant news director/anchor-reporter for the MetroNews Radio Network until last year.
In addition to Johnson’s new role, Tami Allen, who began her career at WVU in 1996 as an undergraduate academic advisor, then worked in communications and marketing in the Division of Student Life before joining University Relations in 2018, now serves as the internal and student communications manager for UREM. In this role, Allen coordinates and produces internal communications for faculty/staff across the WVU system via MOUNTAINEER E-NEWS and students on the Morgantown Campus via UNEWS. Additionally, Allen is responsible for high-level student-focused external communications that highlight the WVU student experience.
Efforts to expand research communications support are also underway.