Linda Cook named chief of staff, director of community relations
Friday, Jan. 26, 2018
MANHATTAN — Linda Cook has been named Kansas State University's chief of staff and director of community relations.
Cook, a Kansas State University graduate and former member of K-State's Alumni Association board of directors, will report directly to the university president and serve as a member of the president's cabinet. She also will coordinate community affairs for the university, representing the president's office on issues related to the city of Manhattan and regional economic development initiatives.
Cook will provide leadership for the prestigious Landon Lecture Series and coordinate special projects, working with the president and provost. In addition, she will serve as liaison between the president's office and the Kansas State University Foundation and K-State Alumni Association. McCain Auditorium and the Beach Museum of Art will also report to Cook.
"Linda Cook has deep knowledge about K-State, and her background in communications and management will be a tremendous asset to our office and the university," said Richard Myers, president of Kansas State University. "We deeply appreciate the service of her predecessor, Jackie Hartman. K-State is fortunate to have such experienced professionals who are willing to give back to their university."
Cook currently serves as assistant vice president of communications for the K-State Alumni Association, and has nearly 40 years of experience in communications and business planning. She has held senior-level positions at General Motors, Honeywell and the Midwest Research Institute, while also providing communications consulting services.
Joining the K-State Alumni Association in May 2012, Cook leads its communications staff, which is responsible for the association's K-Stater magazine, website, newsletters, social media initiatives and marketing materials. She also facilitates the alumni association's strategic planning and government relations activities and is a member of K-State's One Voice communications team. She is credited for leading the communications staff in redesigning the alumni association's website, @K-State e-newsletter and K-Stater magazine. She has also conducted extensive research to collect alumni feedback for improving overall communications and for enhancing alumni engagement in legislative advocacy to support the university's priorities.
Cook has a Bachelor of Science in journalism and mass communications from K-State and a master's in business administration from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she was a Sloan fellow.
She currently serves on the advisory council for K-State's A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, is a member of the District VI Conference Planning Committee for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, is a member of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Business Advocacy Committee, and recently served on the McCain Holiday Home Tour committee. Her community involvement also has included serving as president of the Gift of Life board of directors, ambassador to the Kansas City Performing Arts Center and chair of the Lansing, Michigan, Regional Chamber of Commerce.
