Mark Rushing To Join UA Communications Team

Mark Rushing, a veteran public relations executive and broadcast journalist, has been appointed director of strategic communications for the office of university relations at the University of Arkansas.

Rushing will begin his new position in Fayetteville on April 2.

Currently director of public relations at Little Rock-based Thoma Thoma, a marketing and communications firm, Rushing will be returning to the university from which he received his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1993. He also holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Memphis.

In his new role, Rushing will be a senior leader within the office of university relations, which is responsible for media relations, publications, graphic design, video production, photographic services, web services, brand management and other communication-related activities on behalf of the university. Rushing will focus primarily on ways to use communications resources and outreach activities to help advance the university’s goals and objectives.

In addition to his six years with Thoma Thoma, Rushing’s career includes more than 11 years as a broadcast journalist with television stations in Fayetteville, Tallahassee, Fla., and Little Rock. He has received numerous broadcasting awards, including three regional Emmy Awards.  Rushing has also received several national awards for projects and programs created for his clients at Thoma Thoma.

Rushing is a 1987 graduate of Fayetteville High School. He and his wife Tina have two children, Parker and Audrey.