Pesci named School's communications director

David Pesci, director of media and public relations at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., has been named director of communications at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

David Pesci

During his 11 years at Wesleyan, Pesci participated in a wide variety of communications initiatives involving external media, the university’s website and magazine, and marketing activities. Notably, he expanded the university’s presence in regional and national print, broadcast and digital media.

He participated in redesign of the www.wesleyan.edu home page and managed Web and social media content, wrote features for Wesleyan’s award-winning magazine, and created and edited “Wesleyan Connection,” an online newsletter with a readership of more than 35,000.

He developed and managed communications for the Wesleyan Media Project, a respected resource for tracking spending for television advertising during political campaigns in the U.S.

Pesci also served as lead communications professional on the university’s crisis management team, helping to develop and coordinate external and internal messaging during emergency situations.

He brings significant freelance journalism and writing experience to the position, as well, particularly in the health care field, where he has reported on infant mortality, nursing issues, and the pharmaceutical industry. He is author of the best-selling novel Amistad.

Prior to his work at Wesleyan, Pesci served in various communications positions at the University of Connecticut.

“David Pesci is an outstanding communications professional with a strong track record in higher education,” said Dean Barbara K. Rimer. “We look forward to working with him to enhance our already-strong communications efforts and to achieve even greater visibility.”

Rimer praised the search committee members for their roles in identifying excellent candidates for the communications director position.

Pesci will arrive at UNC in October.