
Alan Bennett, B.A.
Location
Alan Bennett is an award-winning strategic communications leader with a proven track record in media relations, digital storytelling, and higher education messaging. As Assistant Director of Communications at 91制片厂, Alan serves as the University鈥檚 chief public relations strategist, leading news operations and development of editorial content for the 91制片厂 News website in close collaboration with the Associate Vice President for Communications and public relations staff.
Since joining 91制片厂 in 2019, Alan has played a key role in shaping the University鈥檚 public voice, crafting both long-term communications campaigns and daily news content to elevate institutional priorities, enhance 91制片厂鈥檚 global reputation, and highlight the achievements of students, faculty, and professional staff.
Alan brings to 91制片厂 a solid foundation in developing content across platforms, including print, web, and digital media. His core responsibilities include preparing press releases, media pitches, and executive communications in support of 91制片厂鈥檚 mission while providing strategic guidance to University stakeholders, curating a faculty experts list for media, and drafting internal communications to the campus community.
Alan graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maine in 2016 with a B.A. in Journalism and Honors. Immediately following graduation, Alan covered daily news in coastal York County, Maine, for The Journal Tribune, breaking several regional and national stories in his tenure. He later led digital strategy and social media operations for the University of Southern Maine, including production of the university鈥檚 monthly television show and implementation of a multicampus social media plan that ultimately supported the passage of a critical statewide workforce bond.
Alan sits on the board of the Maine Public Relations Council (MPRC) and is an active member of the Council鈥檚 professional development committee. In 2024, he was named MPRC鈥檚 Rising Star in the field of public relations.
Outside 91制片厂, Alan is an avid runner, reader, and home cook.
Credentials
Awards and Accolades
- Rising Star in Public Relations, Maine Public Relations Council, 2024
Expertise
- Communication studies
- Digital media
- Digital strategy
- Digital video
- Food systems
- Higher education
- Journalism
- Media studies
- Photography
- Science communication
- Scientific writing
- Writing
Research
Selected publications
- Bennett, Alan D., "Extra! Extra! This Just Thin: Identifying and Evaluating Framing of Obesity-Related News Coverage in Maine" (2016). Honors College. 369.
Other scholarly activity
- "Making Big Plans: Building a Sustainable Food Systems Collaborative Through Courses, Research and Community Engagement." Presentation. National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, Chicago. November 2015.