FAMU Interim President Beard Appoints Alonda Thomas as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

The PRNews 2023 Top Women in PR honoree returns to her alma mater after successful stints at TV One, Howard University and Jackson State University. She will serve in the Senior Leadership Team as a direct report to the president and will lead the university’s efforts in strategic communications, marketing, media relations, and brand and reputation management.

"For more than 20 years, Alonda Thomas has exemplified the value of a FAMU degree through her service in both higher education and the entertainment industries nationwide. It is an honor to welcome her back to her alma mater as our chief marketing and communications officer," said President Beard. "Her extensive expertise in brand management and storytelling will be a valuable asset to our leadership team as we continue to elevate FAMU's student success and stakeholder engagement."

Recently, Thomas served as the chief communications officer and associate vice president of marketing and communications at Jackson State University (JSU) where she was responsible for university brand and reputation management, marketing, media relations and strategic communications.

Under her leadership the team launched the JSU Elevate Strategic Plan and the successful “Champions to Scholars” marketing campaign. The division helped Institutional Advancement surpass its $500,000 fundraising goal for JSU Day of Giving campaign two years in a row by producing a series of marketing videos to garner donations during the one-day event. Her team was recognized for several awards, including the 2024 and 2023 PRNEWS Digital Award for long-form video, finalist for the 2022 PRNews Platinum Award for Marketing Communications and a finalist for the 2022 PRSA Bronze Anvil Award for Best Use of Social Media.

 

“I am elated to return home to FAMU, the place that nurtured my gifts and prepared me to confidently embody our motto of ‘excellence with caring’ throughout my career,” Thomas said. “I look forward to working with President Beard to recruit tomorrow’s rising stars and to ensure that we remain a leader in research, innovation, academic prowess and workforce development.”

 

Thomas previously served as director of public relations at Howard University. Before that, she was senior public relations manager at TV One. In 2015, Thomas served as a publicity consultant for Liquid Soul, an entertainment and sports marketing company in Atlanta.

A decade ago, Thomas served as director of media relations and interim chief communications officer at FAMU, where she was responsible for the overall direction of the university’s media relations program, including managing the return of the Marching “100”. She led the Office of Communications through the university’s reaccreditation process; the presidential search and hiring of FAMU’s 11th president, and development of advertising/marketing strategies and collateral.

 

Hailing from Miami, Fla., Thomas received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from FAMU and a master’s degree in integrated marketing and management communications from Florida State University. She is a lifetime member of the FAMU National Alumni Association, a former president of the FAMU NAA Southern California Chapter, and a former secretary of the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville Chapter. Thomas is a doctoral candidate in the JSU Executive Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education program.