Ami Piccirilli has been named director of communications at EKU.

Piccirilli, of Lexington, serves as editor of the Communities section of the Lexington Herald-Leader. At EKU, she will oversee communications programs and related projects coordinated by the Division of University Relations.

"Ami is an excellent addition to our communications team," said Ron Harrell, associate vice president for University Relations. "She will work closely with members of our staff and others, particularly in the Colleges, to expand efforts to inform the public about EKU's programs, services and many contributions to the Commonwealth, and beyond, and to enhance efforts to recognize the many accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff, and alumni. She also will help coordinate special projects and provide support for other units in University Advancement, including Alumni Relations, Development and Marketing."

A native of Louisville, Piccirilli earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Iowa in 1990. She joined the Herald-Leader as a copy editor and later served as advertorial coordinator, producing magazine-quality special advertising sections. After a stint as editor of Courier, the monthly magazine of the National Tour Association, she rejoined the Herald-Leader as editor of the weekly Communities section.

"Through my work at the newspaper, I have been able to observe many of the efforts of the University Relations staff, and I have been impressed by the quality and efficiency of their work," said Piccirilli, who will join the EKU staff April 15. "I am honored to be joining them, particularly at a time when so many wonderful things are happening on campus.

"President (Joanne) Glasser has said that EKU is Kentucky's best-kept secret, and I couldn't agree more. I hope to be instrumental in her efforts to let everyone in the state and beyond know how much EKU has to offer."