Phillip J. Wajda, former city editor of the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union, has been named director of media and public relations at Union College, Director of Communications and Public Affairs Bill Schwarz has announced.
Director of Media and Public Relations
“We are thrilled to have Phil on board,” Schwarz said. “His passion for higher education coupled with his vast experience as a reporter and editor will serve the College well as we seek to enhance our academic reputation – locally, regionally and nationally.”
Wajda, 41, spent eight years at the Times Union, the last three as city editor.
“I'm eager to be a part of the Union family and look forward to helping the College continue to attract high-quality students and faculty,” he said.
Wadja's staff won numerous state and national journalism awards, and the paper was honored as a “Newspaper of Distinction” by the Associated Press of New York for four of the past eight years.
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be at Union College. Few schools in the country have the rich history and tradition that has been created over the past 210 years here at Union,” Wajda said.
“The College has an outstanding reputation for being a place where innovation is the rule, not the exception. That energy and vitality will grow under the leadership of the new College president, Stephen C. Ainlay.”
Before joining the Times Union, Wajda spent eight years at the Courier-Post, a Gannett newspaper in southern New Jersey that has been honored by the New Jersey and Philadelphia Press Association. He holds a B.A. in communications from Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. He was named outstanding alumnus by the school in 1999.
Wajda lives in Schenectady with his wife Catherine and their five children, Mary Grace, Daniel, Helen, Caroline and Peter.