Veteran Communications Professional Named Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations
PALM DESERT — Genesis Gonzalez has been named Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations at College of the Desert. She began duties June 8.
A seasoned communications professional with more than 15 years of experience, including nine years in higher education, Gonzalez will lead COD’s public affairs, media relations, and community engagement efforts.
“Genesis will serve as a strategic liaison to our community partners as well as our faculty and staff,” Superintendent/President Val Martinez Garcia said in a statement. “Her extensive experience in higher education will greatly support the college’s ongoing mission of an inclusive, student-centered community college focused on preparing workforce professionals and leaders.”
Gonzalez brings extensive strategic communications and marketing experience to the role. Most recently, she worked at the University of California, Riverside for the past six and a half years as the Marketing Manager for the Division of Undergraduate Education and formerly the Director of Communications for the Office of Student Affairs, where she oversaw crisis communications, event management, and student retention. Her professional background also includes public relations management roles at the University of La Verne and Loma Linda University Health.
“College of the Desert is such an essential part of the Coachella Valley, and I look forward to collaborating with the campus community and community members to shape its future,” said Gonzalez.
Her strengths include strategic leadership, a passion for storytelling, and her unique background as a former lifestyle reporter in the Orange County and Las Vegas regions.
Gonzalez earned a masters in creative writing from National University and a bachelors in broadcast journalism and public relations from Chapman University.
