When Jennifer Kinnard stepped onto the KU campus as an undergraduate student, she had no idea what she wanted to do. Once she took her first journalism class, she knew that was her passion and her career would be in journalism.

After several years working in a public relations agency and local government, she decided to return to the KU campus as the Communications Coordinator for the School of Journalism. The position was newly created when she took it.

Kinnard says her goal is to broaden the School’s communications efforts with students, alumni, donors and the community. She handles public relations efforts for the School, including event planning, publications and Web site coordination. She works on the School’s alumni newsletter, J-Links, which is mailed three times per year.

Before returning to KU in 2002, Kinnard worked at Harmon Smith Inc. Advertising in Kansas City, handling public relations efforts for national clients, including Ralston Purina, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Most recently she worked as the public information officer for the City of Blue Springs, Mo. She was responsible for all internal and external strategic communications. This entailed working with the mayor, city manager and city departments to communicate important city issues to Blue Springs residents. Kinnard also managed the city's Web site, public access government TV station and various print publications.