Public Affairs staff

Linda Kohl, Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs

Linda has been at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities since July 1997. Previously, she was director of Minnesota Planning, appointed by Governor Arne H. Carlson in 1991; she also served a six-month temporary assignment as Governor Carlson's Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Scheduling. Before joining the state, she was a reporter, editor and columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press for more than 18 years. She is responsible for overall operations of the public affairs office.

Nancy Conner, Director of Publications and Media Relations

(651) 296-0541
nancy.conner@so.mnscu.edu

Nancy joined Public Affairs in October 2000. Previously, she worked for 15 years for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, serving in various positions including reader advocate, assistant metropolitan editor, graphics coordinator and higher education reporter. Prior to that, she was a freelance writer and taught journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Conner holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she also earned a bachelor's degree. For Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, she edits publications, answers media inquiries and writes speeches and articles.

Melinda Voss, Public Relations Director

(651) 296-9443
melinda.voss@so.mnscu.edu

Melinda joined Public Affairs as director of public relations in February 2005. Her experience includes 26 years as a reporter at the Des Moines Register. A co-founder of the Association of Health Care Journalists, she served about six years as its first executive director. She has a master's degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor's degree in journalism from Drake University in Des Moines.

Paul Berger, Marketing Communications Director

(651) 296-9450
paul.berger@so.mnscu.edu

Paul joined Public Affairs as marketing communications director. He received an MBA in business communications from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the University of Montana. In over 25 years in advertising and marketing, Paul has worked in ad agencies and consulting firms in Los Angeles, London, Phoenix and the Twin Cities. For the past five years, Paul served as director of marketing communications at Century College. While at Century, he served two terms as president of the system's Two-Year State Marketing Association. He will plan and implement marketing and internal communications for the system.

Jeff Crandall, Web Communications Coordinator

(651) 297-7190
jeff.crandall@so.mnscu.edu

Jeff began work in the Public Affairs division in April 2004 as the Web communications coordinator for the Office of the Chancellor. Crandall holds a bachelor's degree in English literature and creative writing from the University of California, Davis, and a master's degree in liberal studies from the University of Minnesota. Crandall, who previously worked at the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the University of Minnesota, has experience in graphic design, Web design, writing, editing, and teaching.

Deborah Thayer, Graphic Design Manager

(651) 297-7469
deborah.thayer@so.mnscu.edu

Deborah has been with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities since June 2000. She previously worked at Imation as principal graphics designer and before that at the University of Minnesota as senior graphics designer. Deborah is the main contact person for graphics and printing of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system office publications.

Christine McGing, Executive Assistant

(651) 297-2720
christine.mcging@so.mnscu.edu

Christine joined the public affairs team in November 2000. Previously she worked at Imation assisting a desktop publishing group. She provides administrative support to the Associate Vice Chancellor and the Public Affairs Office.

Public Affairs: A Division of the Office of the Chancellor