American University announced today the selection of Lisa Stark as assistant vice president for communications and media. As a senior member of the university’s communications team, she will lead AU’s communications and media relations operation, reporting to Matt Bennett, vice president and chief communications officer. In this role, Stark will serve as a university spokesperson and work with Bennett and other senior leadership to develop and implement strategic communications in support of AU’s institutional priorities and goals.

“An award-winning network news correspondent and veteran broadcast journalist, Lisa’s exceptional depth of experience—covering a wide range of issues from education politics to policy, national politics and breaking news—makes her uniquely qualified for this position,” said Bennett. “We are pleased to welcome her to AU and look forward to working with her in support of the university’s vision.”

“I am pleased to be joining this extraordinary institution,” said Stark. “At a time when higher education and access to knowledge are more critical than ever, I look forward to playing a vital role in deepening the understanding of the work throughout the university and raising AU’s visibility in Washington, around the country and around the world.”  

Previously, Stark was a broadcast correspondent for Education Week and PBS NewsHour, reporting on issues such as student homelessness, suicide prevention, school shootings, STEM, kindergarten readiness and education politics. Prior to Education Week, Stark was a national correspondent for ABC News and Al Jazeera America. She has won two Emmy awards, a Peabody and a DuPont for her work.  

While at ABC News, Stark reported extensively on federal regulatory agencies with emphasis on transportation and pharmaceutical safety. She covered the Oklahoma City bombing, the crash of TWA Flight 800, the space shuttle Columbia disaster and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. While at Al Jazeera America, she covered presidential primaries and debates, the Supreme Court and national politics.  

Stark graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley, where she was news director of KALX-FM, the campus radio station.