Maryland Names New Director of University Communications

Millree Williams is Maryland's new director of university communications.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Millree Williams, a veteran communications and public relations strategist, joins the University of Maryland as director of university communications, Jan. 17, providing leadership to a team of seven professionals to coordinate media relations and develop strategic communications initiatives. He will also serve as university spokesperson.

Williams' career in public relations spans more than 30 years in the Baltimore-Washington area, including 10 years managing public relations operations at two Maryland public colleges - Bowie State University and Montgomery College - as well as work at a private university. He brings a strong background in issues management, image development and results oriented communications strategies.

Beyond higher education, Williams has also directed communications activities for several national healthcare and public health education programs. He has worked with the National Institutes of Health's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol Information, headed the national communications program for Emergency Medical Services for Children National Resource Center (a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Children's National Medical Center) and directed media relations at D.C. General Hospital.

"We are truly fortunate to have such a seasoned professional join the university's marketing and communications team," said Terry Flannery, assistant vice president for marketing and communications. "We are sure to benefit from Millree's broad background in strategic communications as Maryland continues to establish itself as a leader among the nation's premier public research universities."

Williams is a graduate of Bowie State University and the Harvard University Management Development Program. "I am extremely excited to join Maryland's talented university relations team," said Williams. "I look forward to contributing to its effort to serve the state's best students. At the same time, I am equally excited about being a part of its march to become the nation's best public research university."

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