MTSU

Meet the NMR Staff

 

Jimmy Hart, Director, News and Media Relations

Jimmy Hart

Jimmy Hart, senior director

Jimmy is director of news and media relations at MTSU and joined the university in May 2012 after a career in daily journalism. The former executive editor of The Daily News Journal and DNJ.com in Murfreesboro is a native of Lexington, Tennessee, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He joined the DNJ Media Group in spring 2006 after serving for 11 years as a reporter and city editor for The Jackson Sun. He directed coverage of Rutherford and Cannon counties for all Gannett Tennessee publications, including The Tennessean, in his role as editor of the DNJ. In addition to his role as editor of the university’s news site, MTSUNews.com, Jimmy works with media, campus crisis communications, public safety and numerous colleges and departments on campus. Contact him at 615-898-5131 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu.


 

Nancy DeGennaro, communications specialist

Nancy DeGennaro, Communications Specialist, News and Media Relations

Nancy Tucker DeGennaro

Nancy is a 1995 graduate of MTSU’s School of Journalism, where she was awarded Outstanding Print Journalism Student. She spent 30 years in the newspaper industry working in Middle Tennessee and California before retiring from The Daily News Journal/Tennessean/Gannett in 2022 and joining the Office of News and Media Relations in May 2023. She produces content for the university’s news site, MTSUNews.com, and coverage for the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences as well as the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students, James E. Walker Library and other university programs and centers. Contact her at 615-898-5081 or Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu.


 

DeAnn Hays, communications specialist, MTSU Office of News and Media Relations

DeAnn Hays

DeAnn Hays, communications specialist

DeAnn joined the Office of News and Media Relations in March 2024 to produce content about the College of Media and Entertainment and College of Liberal Arts for the university’s news site, MTSUNews.com, and related social media channels. She first found professional success in a Nashville newsroom for nearly a decade before returning to her alma mater as a digital marketing specialist and social media expert. While attending MTSU, she wrote for student newspaper Sidelines before landing a job at WKRN-TV as a web producer and digital engagement director. At MTSU, she also leads a student team who will soon become the future of TV, digital and social media. Contact her at 615-898-5385 or DeAnn.Hays@mtsu.edu.

 

 


 

Stephanie Wagner, communications specialist, News and Media Relations

Stephanie Wagner

Stephanie Wagner, communications specialist

Stephanie produces content for the university’s news site, MTSUNews.com, and provides coverage for the College of Education, College of Graduate Studies, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and MTSU Police Department. A Toronto, Canada, native who has lived in Murfreesboro since 2014, Stephanie is an MTSU graduate-school alumna and joined the Office of News and Media Relations in September 2020. Contact her at 615-898-5588 or Stephanie.Wagner@mtsu.edu.

 


 

Randy Weiler, communications specialist, News and Media Relations

Randy Weiler

Randy Weiler, communications specialist

Randy is a staff writer and news liaison for the Office of News and Media Relations. He produces content for the university’s news website, MTSUNews.com, and external media through his coverage of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, and the University Honors College, as well as the Division of Student Affairs, Office of Alumni Relations, Information Technology Division, various chairs of excellence and campus centers. A veteran writer and editor, Weiler has served as an NMR staff member since November 2000. Contact him at 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu.

 


 

The Office of News and Media Relations is located in the Tom H. Jackson Building, 628 Alma Mater Drive, on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Our main office line is 615-898-2919.

Our central email address is news@mtsu.edu

Our mailing address is:

MTSU News and Media Relations
Campus Mail Box 72, 1301 E. Main St.
Tom Jackson Building
Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37132.

We look forward to hearing from you!

NoteIf you’re looking for a list of all MTSU staff and faculty, visit the searchable online Campus Directory here.