Susan Jones, most recently an editor with the Tribune-Review, has been hired to move the University Times in a new direction – back to its roots.

“My task is to make the University Times once again an independent publication,” said Jones, who started at Pitt on June 18. “I look forward to interacting with faculty and staff, and I welcome any input people can offer, since I am new to the University.

“I’m learning the history of the publication and the ins and outs of the University,” she added, “and then, hopefully by the first edition in September, we’ll be able to introduce new features and possibly bring back some features that were in the University Times previously.”

Jones, who is a native of Western Pennsylvania, has more than 30 years of experience in professional writing, editing, design and management. She spent the past 18 years with the Tribune-Review in Pittsburgh and Greensburg, rising to features editor. Prior to that she was the paper’s news editor, supervising the copy desk for several editions.

After graduating from West Virginia University in 1984 with a degree in journalism, Jones began her career working on several West Virginia dailies.

“Sue brings decades of experience in journalism in the Pittsburgh area, and her credentials stood out to the selection committee, which included representatives from faculty and staff,” said Ellen Moran, vice chancellor for strategic communications and marketing. “Her deep expertise in covering and editing hard news, compelling features and reporting on complex issues will be of great credit to the University Times.”

A new, full-time writer also will be joining the University Times at the end of July, and part-time writer Marty Levine will remain on the staff.

The publication will continue covering everything from Staff Council and the University Senate to the Board of Trustees, along with writing about interesting people and projects associated with the University’s faculty and staff.

“I’m very excited for this new adventure and really love seeing everything that’s going on at the University,” Jones said.

The University Times will be moving later this month to new offices in the Forbes Pavilion. Jones can be reached at suejones@pitt.edu and 412-648-4294.

Outgoing editor Ellie Graves will remain in the Office of University Communications, moving into a new role that includes managing the development and launch of new platforms that support strategic University internal communications.