Michael Echols | Associate Vice-President of Marketing and Communication

Michael Echols is ULM's Associate Vice-President of Marketing and Communication. Michael works with all ULM entities to target and hone the university's messages to the public. He focuses on strategy, consistency, coherence, and efficacy.

A Monroe native, Michael earned his Bachelor and Master of Business Administration at ULM and until recently, worked as the Chief Operating Officer for Oglesby Financial Group while serving ULM as an adjunct professor of Marketing. Michael has valuable experience in the marketing and communications area that will serve to promote the university regionally, nationally and internationally.

Michael participates in several civic organizations including Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Monroe Symphony Orchestra Endowment, Leadership Louisiana Graduate, Monroe Kiwanis Club and more.

Phone: (318) 342-3683
fax: (318) 342-5425
Send Michael an e-mail

Laura Harris | Director of Media Relations

Laura is ULM's official media contact. She communicates academic accomplishments and other university-related news to the media and to ULM faculty, staff and students. She manages radio, newspaper and TV promotions, and she pitches story ideas to all media outlets. Laura coordinates interviews with university officials and the media.

Laura earned a B.A. in Journalism with a concentration in news-editorial from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. She minored in German and Women’s Studies. For over two years, Laura managed a weekly newspaper in the Black Hills of South Dakota. There she designed the newspaper and wrote a variety of feature and news stories. After that, she worked as a reporter at a large daily newspaper, also in the Black Hills.

Contact Laura for assistance with media relations or to get information to the media.

Phone: 318-342-5447
fax: 318-342-5446
Send Laura an email

Lindsey Wilkerson | Director of Web Services

Lindsey is responsible for working with ULM's Web site to ensure Web pages communicate ULM's message. In addition, Lindsey works with other ULM departments with Web design/layout assistance. Other responsibilities include working with the University Computing Center to take advantage of new Web technologies to enhance ULM's Web site. Lindsey started working at ULM in September 2003 in the University Computing Center as an Academic System Specialist.

Lindsey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Louisiana Tech University. Lindsey is married to Kathy Morrow Spurlock. Lindsey and Kathy love to trout fish in Northern Arkansas, plus spending time with their border collies, "Gumbo" and "Roux." Lindsey has trained Gumbo as a Certified Therapy dog. Lindsey (and Kathy) are now enjoying their new roles as grandparents.

Contact Lindsey for any Web-related questions, comments, or issues.

Rob Glaze | Webmaster

Rob is responsible for Web development, coordination, and Web-related technical support. Rob works closely with the Computing Center in the development of various Web-related projects and technology strategies. Since joining the University in 1995, Rob has been involved in various support roles which included technical support, planned and specified technology for various grants and proposals, conducted workshops, aided faculty in implementing new technologies in the classroom, and served on numerous university committees.

Prior to joining ULM, Rob’s professional experience was predominately computer-based and included the adoption and implementation of new technologies. Rob earned two degrees from the University: a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Masters of Education.

Contact Rob for web design questions, comments, or issues.

Phone: 318-342-3411
fax: 318-342-5446
Send Rob an e-mail

Richard Lupo | Photographer

If university photographer Richard Lupo and his camera seem to be everywhere, well, that's his job. The university photographer since April 1994, Richard has the unique opportunity to 'be there' at most of the university's functions. Prior he worked in ULM Student Publications from 1984-89. His photos can be seen on the ULM web site or in the university's numerous publications and brochures. Richard earned a Bachelor of Art degree from ULM in 1987.

Richard also considers his profession his hobby as well by being the official photographer of the Miss Louisiana Pageant since 1995 and the Miss Louisiana Teen Pageant since 2002.

Richard is married to the former Mary Fowler of Conway, Ark. and has one son, Shawn. In addition, four cats and two dogs have happily adopted his family as chief "comforts of home" providers and belly scratchers.

Phone: 318-342-5499
fax: 318-342-5446
Send Richard an e-mail

Sara Palazzo | Staff Writer

Sara researches, writes and edits stories for ULM publications as well as for media distribution. One of her primary responsibilities is keeping the ULM web calendar up-to-date. Sara also helps update the Fant-Ewing message board and assists with various university events and projects.

Originally hailing from Caldwell Parish, Sara obtained her degree in Journalism with a public relations emphasis from Northwestern State University.

Contact Sara for assistance with news and events for stories or to have an event placed on the ULM web calendar, AxisTV, or Fant-Ewing Message Board.

Phone: 318-342-5547
fax: 318-342-5446
Send Sara an e-mail

Keli Jacobi | Staff Writer

Keli researches, writes and edits stories for ULM publications as well as for media distribution.

Keli obtained her degree in Radio and Television from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, where she began a short stint in broadcast journalism working for KATV-Channel 7 News, an ABC network affiliate. Keli comes to ULM from The (Monroe, LA) News-Star, where she covered higher education issues, along with general reporting.

Before that, she covered the courts and county beat for the El Dorado News-Times in South Arkansas. Although she sometimes misses her home state of Arkansas, Keli is charmed by the culture of Louisiana, seduced by its culinary delights and fascinated by its politics.

Contact Keli for assistance with news and events for stories or for other media inquires.

Phone: 318-342-5445
fax: 318-342-5446
Send Keli an e-mail

Claudia Evans | Administrative Assistant

Claudia Evans is the Administrative Assistant for the Office of University Relations. A 34+ year employee of ULM, Claudia has worked for the News Bureau, Information Services, Public Affairs and University Relations - all the same department, just under different names. The Office of University Relations staff depends on Claudia to not only keep the office running smoothly, but as an "unofficial" ULM historian

In 2008, Claudia received ULM's Service Award. After 34 years of service to the university, Claudia will retire at the end of 2008.

Phone: 318-342-5440
fax: 318-342-5446
Send Claudia an e-mail

Patricia Tolar | Administrative Assistant

Patricia Tolar is the new Administrative Assistant for the Office of University Relations. Patricia is currently learning all the ins, outs, and nuances of University Relations and will be Claudia's successor.

Contact Patricia for information about the Office of University Relations.