Delivering the message

IU's new director for public communications has more than just her feet wet. She has jumped into the deep end and swam around a bit. She worked as a journalist and for The Associated Press. She took part in public relations and media relations. She held a position with the NCAA, working closely with inter-collegiate sports. She has even worked for government agencies, such as the Department of Energy, dealing with non-nuclear weapons. Now she has landed on the IU campus as the new director for public communications. But Jane Jankowski, who began her new job Sept. 3, is still getting used to her new surroundings.\n"I am really excited and looking forward to meeting new people, but I still have a lot to learn," Jankowski said. "It's a process, getting to know all the people and learning how things work."\nJankwoski will have several duties in her new position.\n"She will basically plan, think and manage," said Bill Stephan, vice president of public affairs and government relations.\nSpecifically, Jankowski will be a University spokesperson, as well as work with the Office of Communications and Marketing. She will also be involved with crisis communications and will be helping in areas that need managing.\n"She will take on more responsibility as time goes on," Stephan said.\nAll her past experiences will enable her to adjust in her position.\n"I have learned from each place that I have been," Jankowski said. "Every one has different systems and different processes. I've learned to analyze and approach those different systems."\nWally Renfro, who worked with Jankowski at NCAA, said nothing but good things about Jankowski. \n"As Assistant Director of Public Relations for the NCAA, she handled the biggest part of our daily media relations efforts in terms of handling nearly all of our hottest calls with regard to media questions," Renfro said. \nJankowski handled all of the high profile committee efforts also. \n"She is the hardest working individual I've ever met," Renfro said. "She left no job undone, no reporter uncalled."\nJankowski also plans to work closely with students organizations and media, including student government leaders and the Indiana Daily Student, keeping them updated on what's going on around campus.\n"I hope to be interacting with many different people," Jankowski said. \nJankowski said IU is moving forward, and she wanted to be a part of its progress.\n"One of the things that attracted me to Indiana University is the excellent national reputation of the University," Jankowski said. "IU is a leader and partner in shaping the future of the state and beyond."\nAlthough Jankowski has only been at IU for less than a week, she feels welcome here.\n"Everyone here has really welcomed me warmly and people are eager to assist in helping me learn more about the University and get acclimated," Jankowski said.\nJankowski, who is from a small town in Iowa, had dreams of growing up and becoming a journalist. Her colleagues seem to think she has reached that dream and even gone beyond it. \n"She has an impressive range of skills," Stephan said. \nJankowski was chosen from over 50 applicants for the position of director of public communications at IU. When IU put out the advertisement for the position, there was a heavy response from around the country, including applicants from The Chronicle of Higher Education, the Indianapolis Star and Chicago newspapers, Stephan said. Jankowski's credentials and previous employment, especially within the NCAA, were key factors in her being chosen for the position.\n"Her range of skills and abilities by virtue of prior experiences will add great value to our work, day in and day out," Stephan said.\nJankowski will face many high profile public relations cases at IU, but her former colleague has faith she will do a great job.\n"It's not something anybody can do," Renfro said. "It takes great instincts to know how to handle tough media relations. Hers are impeccable. IU couldn't have made a better choice"