UWM Names Tom Luljak New Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Communications

MILWAUKEE --Tom Luljak is the new Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Communications at UW–Milwaukee.

Previously the university’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Luljak had served as UWM’s Interim Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Communications since September 2001. In his new position, Luljak will oversee the university’s government, neighborhood, and alumni relations activities, coordinate marketing programs, and direct media relations initiatives.

“Tom Luljak has done outstanding work with the university since he joined us in 2000,” said UWM Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Over the past several months, he led development of a new strategic vision for the Division of University Relations and Communications, building on the foundation of his predecessor, Sandra Hoeh. Tom’s positive approach and can-do attitude are incredibly inspiring to all who work with him.”

Since joining UWM, Luljak has been recognized for directing key university initiatives in the area of public and media relations, including partnerships with the Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks. He has launched an integrated program to build UWM’s brand identity and is overseeing development of the university’s new marketing campaign. Luljak also has expanded the university’s relationships with neighbors, alumni, and elected officials.

Luljak has strong ties to UWM that go beyond his position. He earned a master’s degree in mass communication from the university in 1995 and serves as an associate lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Prior to joining UW–Milwaukee in 2000, Luljak was the director of corporate communi-cations at Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin and Cobalt Corporation (formerly United Wisconsin Services, Inc.), where he also served as executive director of the company’s foundation.

In addition to his work in corporate communications, Luljak has extensive experience as a broadcast journalist and served as news director for WTMJ-TV, WTMJ-AM, and WKTI-FM in Milwaukee. During Luljak’s career in journalism, he covered a wide variety of local, state, and federal government issues.

Luljak has received numerous honors as a broadcast journalist, including the George Foster Peabody Award for Investigative Journalism. He was named Outstanding Young Alumnus at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV/Film and Speech Education.

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