Jeff Falk

WEBSITE(S)| Rice News | News & Media Relations

Jeff Falk leads Rice University's efforts to share news about the university with the world and serves as Director of News and Media Relations in the Office of Public Affairs. He was the Interim Vice President for Public Affairs from January to August 2023. Falk is a strategic communications and public affairs leader with extensive experience, achieving results in higher education and research, government and policy, and consumer sectors.

Falk joined Rice in 2012 as Associate Director of National Media Relations. He became Director of National Media Relations in 2019 and moved into the role of Director of News and Media Relations in 2022. In this position, he oversees a talented 10-person team of writers and editors that issues news releases, expert alerts and media advisories, responds to media queries, and produces Rice News, Dateline Rice and @Rice. He serves as the university’s principal media spokesperson and also is a member of the Crisis Management Team, assisting with emergency notifications to students, staff and faculty.

Prior to his service at Rice, Falk was Assistant Director of the University of Minnesota’s central media relations office from 2010 to 2012. He began his career in communications and public relations in government, serving as Deputy Press Secretary to Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty from 2003 to 2005 and as Communications Director for Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto from 2007 to 2008.

Falk has been a member of the board of directors of The Alliance, a leading Houston nonprofit organization for welcoming and empowering those who face financial, educational, health, language or cultural barriers to realizing their dreams, since 2020 and serves a co-chair of the board's resource development committee.

Falk earned his bachelor’s degree from Macalester College and a master’s degree in strategic communication from the University of Minnesota. Born in Bremen, Germany, he is a dual citizen of the United States and Germany.

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Body

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