NSU names VP for University Relations

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September 28, 2008

TAHLEQUAH — Mark Kinders, a 23-year veteran of public higher education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, has been named vice president for University Relations at Northeastern State University.

As director of Public Affairs at UWRF since 1985, he has been responsible for government and community relations, along with photography and sports information services at the comprehensive institution that has a student enrollment of 6,200 located in western Wisconsin, about 30 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul. In addition to his administrative duties, Kinders currently serves as news bureau director, legislative liaison, community relations director, and information and media liaison to the Kansas City Chiefs.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University, a Master of Arts in History from UWRF, and a Master of Public Affairs from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.

Until recently, Kinders reported to Dr. Don Betz, who served three years as UWRF chancellor before returning to Northeastern as the institution’s 17th president in July. He cited Betz’s enthusiastic leadership and optimism about the possibilities for NSU’s future as reasons for seeking the position.

Assisting Kinders in building relationships in the communities NSU serves and strengthening relationships with the university’s alumni will be Jerry Cook, appointed by Betz to serve as director of Community Relations, a newly created position within the University Relations division.

Cook is currently Optometry Program representative in the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry. He has extensive experience within the business community and is a former Tahlequah mayor. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Journalism and a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern State University, along with a legal assistant certificate from the University of Tulsa.

For a more complete review of Kinders’ accomplishments, visit http://www.nsuok.edu/humanresources/pdfs/MarkAKinders.pdf.