NMC hires award-winning local broadcaster to lead public relations

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is pleased to welcome longtime local news anchor Diana Fairbanks to the college's Public Relations, Marketing and Communications department as Interim Executive Director. 

Fairbanks brings a unique perspective to the position through her deep knowledge of the community and wide range of relationships.  Her 17 years of television news experience include 12 as anchor at 7&4 News in Traverse City, between 1999 and 2011. During that time she won several awards for her broadcast skills, was honored by the Traverse City Business News as a "40 Under 40" influencer, and voted Best Newscaster by Traverse Magazine readers.

She is also a graduate of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Grand Traverse program and has worked with multiple local charities, from the Swingshift and the Stars dance competition to events aimed at raising awareness and funds for those touched by breast cancer.

“We’re delighted to have Diana join the college. She’s the right person at the right time,” NMC President Timothy J. Nelson said. “She’s a trusted, credible voice in northern Michigan and has an insider’s perspective on communications and media. After her success in TV, we’re thrilled she chose to bring her skill set to NMC.”

Fairbanks said, "I am so excited to be back in Traverse City and with NMC. The college is such an important part of what makes our community great. I always loved reporting stories about NMC and am excited to be able to continue to share those stories with the community in my new role. It is a perfect fit!"

Fairbanks and her family recently returned to northern Michigan from Buffalo, N.Y., where she was an Emmy-nominated journalist anchoring evening newscasts at WIVB. During her time there she was also honored as Television Personality of the Year by the Buffalo Broadcasters Association. 

Fairbanks replaces Andy Dolan, who left NMC in July. She can be reached at (231) 995-1019 and dfairbanks@nmc.edu.

Release date: September 30, 2014

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks, Interim Executive Director
NMC Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(
231) 995-1019