Laura Lessnau

Laura Lessnau serves as the Assistant Vice President for News at the University of Michigan Office of the VP for Communications, a role held since July 2002. In this position, Laura leads a team of former journalists and media professionals to share impactful stories about the university while enhancing public engagement through expert commentary on global issues. Prior to this, Laura held various roles at the University of Michigan News, including Associate Director, where significant accomplishments included modernizing communication practices and managing high-profile media events. Laura's journalism career began at The Oakland Press and progressed through notable positions at The Associated Press, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Detroit Free Press. Laura holds a Master of Science in Strategic Communication from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Communication Arts & Sciences in Journalism from Michigan State University.