Marcela Reyes recently joined LSU Libraries as the new director of communications. She will lead and implement the communications for the Libraries, both internal and external. Her job ranges from boosting the libraries’ social media presence, highlighting newly acquired collections, copy writing newsletter content, maintaining LSU Libraries’ blog News & Notes, library signage, to developing the Impact Report, an annual report that calls attention to the accomplishments of LSU Libraries and its staff members.

Reyes has more than 13 years of experience in communications. She first began her career in 2007, as a journalist working for a multi-media outlet in México, before realizing that her skills were more suited for communications work. Reyes is well versed in many fields that relate to communications such as political campaigns on the local, state, and federal level; film festivals; design schools; and translations. She also worked as a content strategist in Austin, TX, focusing on displacement & gentrification. However, Reyes states one accomplishment she is “most proud of” was leading the creation of a diversity, equity, & inclusion fund for a small organization that helped the global majority become a part of the adaptation profession, which seeks to protect communities & ecosystems from the effects of climate change.

A proud Mexican, Reyes has family from Texas and northeastern México. She grew up in México’s third largest city, Monterrey, Nuevo León, which she says has “beautiful mountains.” Monterrey is also where she attended Tecnológico de Monterrey and obtained a bachelor’s of art in Journalism & Media Studies, and a master’s in Humanistic Studies (Literature & Discourse).

As the new director of communications, Reyes, wishes to practice the philosophy of “making communications accessible.” She feels that communications, especially in higher education, isn’t always open to those who suffer from language barriers. She hopes to facilitate clear communication between the people (students, faculty, & staff) and the institution (LSU Libraries). Reyes states, “It’s really important to use and create communications that are, not only accessible, but promotes or foster an environment of justice, of equity, of diversity, of inclusion.”

In her spare time, Reyes loves taking care of her plants, organizing homes and is interested in the philosophical side of interior design.