Pete Moris, the communication leader for Virginia Tech’s athletics program, is leaving to head up university relations at the University of Northern Iowa, according to an announcement from the school and pending approval from the school’s Board of Regents.
Moris has more than 15 years’ experience leading strategic communications, marketing, and public relations in the higher education, entertainment, and elite sports sectors.
He will take high profile media relations and marketing experience to Northern Iowa. Since 2015, Moris has served as Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications at Virginia Tech where he led marketing and communications campaigns to grow the donor base and increase the national profile of VT athletics. In 2021, he was part of a campus team that launched the $400 million Reach for Excellence fundraising campaign.
At the University of Oklahoma, Moris led a public relations and media campaign to unveil the $370 million renovation project of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. As Associate Director of Public Relations for the Kansas City Chiefs, Moris coordinated public relations and event management for four Super Bowls. He has also served on the media relations teams fort the NCAA Final Four, the College Football Playoff Championship Game, and multiple major collegiate bowl games.
“Pete’s public relations background and leadership experience are exactly what UNI needs to enhance our marketing and recruitment strategies to prospective students and their families, and to continue to expand UNI’s reputation for serving the needs of our students and the state,” said UNI President Mark A. Nook.
“I am grateful to President Nook and his leadership team at the University of Northern Iowa for placing their trust in me,” Moris said. “I am excited to begin this role and promote the great work being done by so many talented people at UNI. In addition, I’m looking forward to collaborating with UNI’s faculty, staff, and alumni to recruit a diverse student body to an institution with such a strong academic tradition and history.”
Moris holds bachelor’s degrees in public relations and writing from Loras College, and he is a graduate of the Disney Customer Service Training Program.
He will join the UNI community beginning July 1.
