Mathes named assistant director of PSU Public Relations

Cassie M. (Hombs) Mathes has been named assistant director of public relations for news services and media relations at Pittsburg State University, according to Public Relations Director Ron Womble. Mathes has served as a writer and communications specialist for the Office of Public Relations since April 2006.

In her new role, Mathes will be primarily responsible for disseminating news about the university and its students, faculty and staff; responding to requests from the media and maintaining the news updates on the university Web site.

She will also continue to assist in the development of campus publications such as the PSU magazine, and provide support for university events.

“Cassie’s extensive writing and news background makes her a perfect fit for this very important role at Pittsburg State,” said Womble.

Before joining the public relations staff, Mathes worked for KODE-TV in Joplin, Mo., as the newsroom assignment editor. Prior to that position, she was employed as a features and beat reporter for the Joplin Globe newspaper. During her time at the Globe, she earned three state honors for excellence in journalism from the Missouri Associated Press and the Missouri Press Association. She has also worked as a freelance writer and columnist for Gatehouse Media and Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.

Mathes received a bachelor’s degree in communication from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin in 2000. She earned a master’s degree in communication from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., in 2002. She recently returned from a month-long Global Study Exchange program in Romania representing the four-state area Rotary Club district, and has served as a volunteer tutor for the Joplin R-8 Teaching Reading to Every Kid (TREK) program.

Mathes and her husband, Daniel, live in Joplin.

---Pitt State---