J.T. Geren, vice president of communications at Heartland Forward, will lead a lunch-and-learn session in Kimpel Hall on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 11:45 a.m. Geren oversees public relations strategies at Heartland Forward. The organization is a non-partisan, non-profit “think-and-do-tank” focused on accelerating economic growth in the 20 states in the center of the U.S.
Before joining Heartland Forward, Geren worked for the athletic departments at the University of Arkansas and the University of Kansas. He has nearly a decade of experience in sports marketing, branding and communications.
“We tell our students they can find careers that combine their passions and their talents,” said Gina Shelton, director of the Center for Media Ethics and Literacy. “J.T. Geren exemplifies that, with his past work in sports media and his current role promoting the heartland region, which is his home. His broad portfolio in brand strategy, public relations, media relations and digital communications makes him an ideal guest for SJSM.”
Before receiving a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Arkansas, Geren earned a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication from Samford University. He has lived in four heartland states: Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Kansas.
Geren’s talk will be in the Student Media Center, Kimpel 203, as part of the September Speaker Series hosted by the Center for Media Ethics and Literacy, and is open to all students. He will also talk to journalism students taking Media and Society.