Raleigh N.C.|NC State Hires New PR Chief

Addition Of Joseph Hice Signals A First Step In University’s Crisis Recovery

By Kathleen Mongero

When it comes to North Carolina State University these days, there is one obvious fact that is hard to argue – they could use some good PR right about now.  Between dealing with budget cuts, free speech issues and corrupt officials, the university has spent the last several months being publicly stoned, taking one momentous blow after another.  It seemed this past summer that every time one turned around there was a chancellor, or provost, or chairman with an FBI agent on their doorstep.

In an attempt to start anew the school recently announced the addition of Joseph Hice, who will serve as the chief of public relations at the university.  Hailing from his most recent gig as the associate vice president of public relations at the University of Florida, Hice’s resume is decorated with past experience, including stints as chief marketing director for Segway and director of corporate communications for Harley Davidson Motor Company.

As reported by local media outlets, Hice will bring in an annual salary of $190,000, which amidst budget chaos could very well make him the Fonz of university PR. Among speculation over the subject of Hice’s salary is the fact NC State offers a Bachelor of Arts in public relations.  Is hiring a pricey PR “expert” during the university’s financial woe the most practical solution, especially when you give degrees to students that aim to make them credible practitioners in the field?  In defense to this and similar criticisms, university officials have argued that the search to fill the position in question has been going on for several years, however, all of us in PR cannot help but point out that when it comes to public relations, timing is everything.