Todd Gottula, director of news and internal communications at UNK, received the University of Nebraska Board of Regents KUDOS award June 12.
KUDOS awards recognize university staff for their professional expertise, service and “superior dedication” to UNK and University of Nebraska. It is the university’s top staff award.
Gottula, who joined the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2013, is responsible for setting and carrying out the UNK news agenda through news releases, photography and pitching stories to local, state and national media.
Since joining UNK, Gottula and his staff doubled the number of media releases sent from the news office. Readership in the online newsroom also increased from 7,000 page views to more than 250,000 a year. He also developed a new electronic newsletter, UNK Update, which is distributed weekly to thousands of faculty, staff, students and alumni.
“Todd has overhauled our news releases and other media relations efforts, improving the ability for our news media partners to further share UNK’s stories,” said Kelly Bartling, assistant vice chancellor for communications and community relations.
“Todd quickly became the eyes and ears of campus and improved relationships across campus to serve the news and interview needs of colleges and departments, identifying and covering photo opportunities, and improving our digital/visual storytelling.”
Gottula serves as editor of New Frontiers research magazine, and he played a lead role in the recent redesign of the UNK website. He also helped develop and present a campus News Summit for faculty and staff. He regularly conducts media training for students and faculty.
He is active in the Kearney community, serving on boards such as Leadership Kearney and America’s Best Communities committee. He also is a member of UNK’s Staff Senate and Emergency Operations Team.
Gottula was recognized and given his KUDOS award at the Board of Regents meeting, which was attended by his wife, Kristin, UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen, Regent Kent Schroeder and NU President Hank Bounds.
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