Donna Lowry Named Fulton County Schools Communications Chief

ATLANTA, GA -- Award-winning journalist Donna Lowry has been tapped to serve as the chief communications officer for the Fulton County School System. Lowry spent 30 years in the newsroom, working as a reporter with WXIA-TV/11 Alive until her retirement in April 2016.

While at the station, Lowry was one of metro Atlanta's most recognizable faces. As the station's kids and schools reporter, Lowry shined a spotlight on metro Atlanta schools and told the positive, personal stories that involve students and teachers.

Following her retirement, Lowry joined Cobb County Schools as its director of communications and media relations. In that role, she managed a nine-person team in the production of content for the district website, cable television station and magazine as well as managing internal/external communications strategies and media relations for the district (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

During her first year, Lowry led Cobb’s Communications Department to win four international, national and state awards in website design, publication excellence and video production.

“Education storytelling is my passion and my work as an education reporter allowed me opportunities to showcase the innovative, creative, and exceptional things occurring every day inside schools,” Lowry said. “But, my work as a school district communications director gives me so much more reach to change the way the public views education and the way parents can be involved in their child’s school life. I am delighted to join Fulton County Schools as its chief communications officer and look forward to serving the district’s students, staff, parents and community.”

Fulton Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Rose said the system is "fortunate" to have landed a professional who has a deep understanding of communication and its role in the education system.

“Donna’s experience is unparalleled and her reputation as a trusted information source is top-notch," he added. "As a journalist, as a school district communications director, and as a community member whose children have attended our schools, Donna knows education in Fulton County.”

In addition to her work with Cobb County Schools and WXIA-TV, Lowry served in morning and weekend anchor positions in Florida and Illinois, as well as an adjunct professor of journalism. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications/administration and management from Chatham University in Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

As a journalist, Lowry’s work has garnered seven Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and three Gabriel Awards, a recognition that honors works of excellence in film, network, cable television and radio.

She also has been inducted into the NATAS Southeast Silver Circle and has received the Georgia School Boards Association’s Beacon Award, a recognition for journalists who have created an understanding of public education issues. She also has been named WXIA-TV/11Alive’s Employee of the Year.

Lowry will join the Fulton County schools on Sept. 12.

Image via Fulton County Schools