About Lisa
I’m the Vice President for Global Communications and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Michigan. I’ve been in PR and marketing for a long time now, starting in the agency world but quickly moving into higher education. I’ve worked both in-house—at Rensselaer, Michigan State University and U-M—and as a consultant for public and private universities.
In the last 10 years I’ve married my soul mate, moved to a little lake (well, more like a big pond, but still a slice of heaven pie in my view), adopted two boys, and returned full time to U-M.
I’m an avid knitter and an enthusiastic (if not well-trained) gardener, foodie, bird watcher, and occasional fly fisherperson. My husband, Len Niehoff, and I live in Chelsea, Mich., where there are always kids and dogs underfoot.
Our household motto: Mangia e statti zitto. That’s Italian for “eat and shut up.”
Dear Lisa –
Thank you for establishing a blog! I found your posts to be well-written, insightful, and – best of all – personal. I learned more about U of M and the Ann Arbor area from you than I would have gleaned if I had spent an entire day searching online.
I am interested in the university/area as I am moving from West Lafayette, Ind., to Ann Arbor for my fiancé. As a PR/marketing director for Purdue, I wanted to better understand the U of M culture to decide whether I wanted to dive back into radio broadcasting or stay in academia.
Your blogs convinced me that U of M is the place to be for foodies and creative minds, although I’m not sure about the fairy doors.
Warm regards,
Jeanine Phipps
It’s only because you haven’t yet seen the fairy doors, Jeanine.
Thank you for such lovely comments regarding my blog. I have enjoyed writing it more than I ever imagined I wou ld. So sorry I didn’t respond earlier when I first saw it! Best, Lisa
Enjoyed learning about your journey this morning! Thank you for contributing.
Appreciate the comment, thank you!
Great blog, Lisa. Happy to have stumbled upon it today. Love that you’re a knitter, too!
Thanks for the nice note! One of my new year’s resolutions is to post more — so many U-M stories, so little time! And yes, an avid — some might say obsessive — knitter!
Eat and shut up….I love it
Hi Lisa,
What a wonderful blog! I am going to be starting my MBA at the Ross School of Business this fall, and am interested in learning more about marketing and communications. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more posts, and would love to know about any opportunities where I can pitch in to help UM!
Take care,
Diana
Dear Diana,
I know you’ll enjoy Ross and Ann Arbor!
Keep in touch,
Lisa