Michael Lukens

I am currently director of communications for the Office of Community and Economic Development at California State University, Fresno. My primary responsibility is overseeing the communications efforts of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, an initiative of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to bring together public and private leaders and resources to address important issues in the San Joaquin Valley. I previously served as director of communications for Congressman George Radanovich.

I have more than than 20 years of experience in government communications, including service as a deputy press secretary for four Pennsylvania governors (two Republicans and two Democrats). In addition, I have served as press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and as deputy press secretary in a number of Pennsylvania state agencies. I also served as press secretary to the Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Additionally, I taught journalism and public relations as an adjunct professor at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania and also previously served as a reporter in State College, Pennsylvania, for more than 10 years.

I have a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Fresno, and a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Penn State University, where I received the Kenneth W. Masters Award for the highest grade-point average in the public policy program.