2008 Woodie Awards
Former communications director assumes new role in provost's office
Kristen Fenwick and Megan Weiland
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Campus
After spending 34 years in the same line of work as Miami University's senior director of university communications, Richard Little decided it was time for a change. However, instead of leaving Miami, Little has modified his place at the university and is now a special assistant to the provost.
According to Little, his new position is a bit unusual, but allows him to work in a few different areas.
"My first and primary assignment is to work with the international student community," Little said. "We've been growing in terms of international students, and what I'm focusing on now is services and programs that work toward the retention of these students when they come to a small town like Oxford, Ohio."
Although more and more Miami students are studying overseas, Little said that he also wants to see the Oxford campus engage in more overall global interaction.
"The more we diversify with international students on campus, the more it will thrive," Little said.
Little's interest in the international community stems from his 15 years of volunteer experience helping foreign students adjust to a different environment. For instance, Little has had a special focus on assisting with transportation in Oxford and surrounding areas because many foreign students come from countries with highly developed bus systems.
"My wife and I have made a lot of friendships with people all over the globe because of our experiences and I definitely want to do something that's related to (Miami) students," Little said. "In my old job, I didn't have as much contact as I would've liked
with students."
As senior director of university communications, Little dealt with media relations, being a university spokesperson, and overseeing university marketing communications-such as the production of printed materials and electronic Web sites. However, along with Little, the title and the position have now changed.
The position has been renamed associate vice president for communications, and Miami President David Hodge recently announced that Dionn Tron would be filling the roll.
According to Little, his new position is a bit unusual, but allows him to work in a few different areas.
"My first and primary assignment is to work with the international student community," Little said. "We've been growing in terms of international students, and what I'm focusing on now is services and programs that work toward the retention of these students when they come to a small town like Oxford, Ohio."
Although more and more Miami students are studying overseas, Little said that he also wants to see the Oxford campus engage in more overall global interaction.
"The more we diversify with international students on campus, the more it will thrive," Little said.
Little's interest in the international community stems from his 15 years of volunteer experience helping foreign students adjust to a different environment. For instance, Little has had a special focus on assisting with transportation in Oxford and surrounding areas because many foreign students come from countries with highly developed bus systems.
"My wife and I have made a lot of friendships with people all over the globe because of our experiences and I definitely want to do something that's related to (Miami) students," Little said. "In my old job, I didn't have as much contact as I would've liked
with students."
As senior director of university communications, Little dealt with media relations, being a university spokesperson, and overseeing university marketing communications-such as the production of printed materials and electronic Web sites. However, along with Little, the title and the position have now changed.
The position has been renamed associate vice president for communications, and Miami President David Hodge recently announced that Dionn Tron would be filling the roll.
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