Bronson Hilliard, managing editor of the Colorado Daily, will become director of media relations and spokesperson for the University of Colorado at Boulder on Nov. 6.
Hilliard, 42, was selected from 123 applicants and four finalists. The appointment was made by Richard Porreca, the campus' senior vice chancellor and chief financial officer.
"This is an important appointment for the university," Porreca said. "Our ability to communicate effectively with the media and our constituents is vital to our success as a public-mission university that serves the people of Colorado. We felt it was vitally important to hire someone with the levels of state-based credibility and experience that Bronson is able to bring to this position.
"Bronson's experience with the Colorado media and the University of Colorado will allow him to have an immediate impact on our communications efforts. He brings with him a vast amount of knowledge about the university and the opportunities and challenges it faces," Porreca said.
That knowledge comes from Hilliard's five years of experience leading the news and editorial staff of the Colorado Daily, in which its primary coverage area is the CU-Boulder campus. In addition, Hilliard served six years, from 1994 to 2000, as assistant director of media relations and speechwriter in the CU president's office.
Hilliard replaces Barrie Hartman, who has been serving as interim spokesperson until a permanent replacement could be found for Pauline Hale, who retired Jan. 31. Hale, as executive director of University Communications, served as spokesperson in addition to directing the five divisions of University Communications.