.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} Sports piqued José de Jesús’ interest, but Clarke College’s communications program brought him from Puerto Rico to Iowa. Growing up with a love of reading the newspaper, de Jesús became a journalist. Now he is applying his journalism and public relations experience to help publicize and increase diversity at AIB College of Business in his new position as chief communications officer.

Have you always lived in Iowa?

No, I haven’t. I grew up in Puerto Rico. That is my native country; I was born and raised there. I went to high school there. I moved to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1997 to go to school. I went to school at Clarke College.

How did you end up choosing Iowa to go to school?

One of my best friends back at home was recruited to play basketball by Clarke College. I was already in my first year at the University of Puerto Rico and was playing volleyball. He was talking to admissions people and I sent them some tapes. Originally, the interest was for sports, but as I learned more about the school, I wanted to go there because they had a good communications program. I had known that was what I wanted to do for a long time.

What are some similarities and differences between Puerto Rico and Des Moines?

Well, there are a lot of differences. The culture is different, although, I must say the diversity is increasing here every day. I know that because I live it every day and I see it every day. Some people look different, sometimes they act different, but we are all human beings. In terms of similarities, I think we are very friendly people, and Iowans are friendly and welcoming. Some of my best friends here are from Iowa. Iowa has been great to me and my wife, Abby; this is where we got our education, this is where we got our jobs. I consider Iowa home as well.

What is your professional background?

I went to (Clarke to) get a degree in communications, with an emphasis in journalism, public relations and advertising. After that, in 2001, I got a job as a journalist in Green Bay, Wis. (at the Green Bay Press-Gazette). I worked there for nearly four years. Then, in 2005, I got a job at The Des Moines Register, as a journalist as well. After that, in 2006, I got a job here at AIB College of Business.

Describe your move from being a journalist to working in PR.

It was a big change. I began here as the public relations director and now I just started as chief communications officer. I really loved journalism. It was a passion I always had as a kid. I remember my family would always fight to see who could read the paper first. I liked journalism because it is a way to inform the community. It holds powerful people accountable. I studied journalism, public relations and advertising because I always wanted to keep my options open. (As a journalist) I was the eyes and ears of the community. Here I am still serving a community and that is our students.

What did you anticipate most about your new position as CCO?

Letting the community know what a great product we have here and what a great institution we are. To be sure, we are a small school, but we have a lot to offer.

What are your main responsibilities?

I oversee internal and external communications, media relations, public relations, cultural affairs. I am in charge of all the internal publications, newsletters and press releases. I try to spend time in the community. I belong to several organizations (including those that promote diversity); I go out and get involved. Communications is not being in your office all day, but it is getting out and letting people know who you are and what you do.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am a big (Green Bay) Packers fan.Get together with friends. Travel, visit friends; we have family in Dyersville, where my wife is from, and family in Puerto Rico. I don’t get there as much as I would like, but as often as I can.