(San Antonio, TX, April 2, 2009) – San Antonio College announces changes to its Public Relations Department managed by Deborah M. Martin, who became director in the fall 2008 semester.  Ms. Martin brings over 20 years of professional communications experience to the position, including four years in the PR office at SAC.  The new public information officer, replacing Ms. Martin, is Julie Cooper, a professional journalist for the last 30 years, including over 25 years with the San Antonio Express-News.  College campus tours, led by Douglas Caballero, has been transferred to Public Relations. Lisa Morales continues as the college schedule/catalog coordinator.  (See attachment for bio sketches of SAC PR professionals.)

“With the new leadership and added talent, I am excited to see that our Public Relations office is working to connect the people and communicate the great work of faculty, staff and students who make SAC the largest single-campus community college in Texas,” said SAC President Robert E. Zeigler, Ph.D.

By implementing various marketing and media relations strategies, the Public Relations department supports San Antonio College goals of student success and organizational communications. Support staff also includes a Senior Secretary and  work-study students who provide clerical assistance.


BIOS

Deborah M. Martin, Director
Martin’s career includes 20 years of professional communications work with education and nonprofit organizations, PR agencies, and entertainment and Fortune 500 clients.  Prior to becoming PR director for San Antonio College, she served as SAC Public Information Officer for four years, generating news about the institution, coordinating special events, and developing and implementing award-winning advertising campaigns for the college.  Previously, Martin was the grant writer for SAC’s sister college Palo Alto.  Former positions have included Public Relations Director for the YMCA of Greater Houston, and Senior Account Executive with Hill and Knowlton International Public Relations.  She holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Houston, and is a Strategic Communications online graduate student with the Journalism School at the University of Missouri.
 
Julie Cooper, Public Information Officer
 Cooper brings 30 years’ experience in print media to SAC.  Her work has included writing and editing for newspaper, magazines and national free-lance contributions.  Cooper spent 26 years with the San Antonio Express-News where she was Travel Editor for many years, winning awards from the Society of American Travel Writers. Prior to joining SAC, Cooper was managing editor of Scene in SA magazine.  Former newspaper positions have included the Abilene Reporter News, the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal and the Clearwater (Fla.) Sun. She holds a Bachelor’s in Communications from the University of West Florida at Pensacola and an Associate in Journalism from St. Petersburg (Fla.) Junior College.
 
Doug Caballero, Tour Coordinator
Developing a college-going culture is the goal of Caballero, who heads up the SAC tours. He joined the SAC Counseling Department   in 2001 and was named SAC Campus Tour Coordinator in 2006. The position was moved into the Public Relations office in 2008.  Caballero has a Bachelor’s in Education from St. Mary’s University and a Master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. He attended SAC from 1967-68. Caballero began his teaching career in elementary schools and has taught in middle, high school and community college. He also worked as a consultant for the Texas Education Agency.
 
Lisa M. Morales, Catalog/Schedule Coordinator
 Morales has been with ACCD for 13 years.  Prior to joining the SAC PR Department in 2006, she worked at St. Philip’s College from 1996 to 2006 as a Data Entry Clerk, Optical Scanner Operator, and Catalog/Schedule Specialist. She also assisted the Associate Director while working in the Admissions and Records Office.  She has an Associate of Applied Science in Microcomputer Specialist, and hopes to continue her education with a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems.