Communications and Marketing Staff

I have the privilege of serving my alma mater as the Director of Media Relations and University Spokesperson.  This role allows me the opportunity to share the WKU story with a broad audience and to talk about a place that means so much to me and my family. 

Prior to my time in Media Relations, I served as the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for seven years. In that role, I oversaw an outstanding team of talented individuals.  Admissions is primarily responsible for the recruitment, admission, and new student orientation of all undergraduate students.  As part of the Division of Enrollment and Student Experience at WKU, I worked closely with financial aid and retention initiatives. In 2020, despite reduced access to students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WKU’s first year class increased by more than 400 students over the previous year. 

Before joining the Admissions team in 2014, I was the Director of Forensics (competitive speech and debate) at WKU. Over the past decade and a half, WKU has established itself as the premier forensics institution in the nation. WKU remains the only school in the history of collegiate forensics to win both the debate and speech national championships in the same year, a feat that WKU has accomplished over a dozen times.  During my four years as Director, the coaching staff and I led the team to two speech national championships and three debate national championships.

I earned my B.A. and M.A. in Communication and my Doctorate of Educational Leadership from WKU. In my spare time I enjoy traveling with my two boys and my wife, also a WKU graduate. I also enjoy reading, exercising, and watching movies. Every now and then, I’m also fortunate enough to be able to teach classes, primarily public speaking, global communication, and political communication courses.

Lux J.  (2014).  Are they getting what they need?  An analysis of the skills former collegiate forensic competitors find most useful in their current careers.  The Forensic, 99 (2), 21-34.

Lux, J., and Cobane, C. (2013).  High school speech and debate activities and college readiness.  Rostrum:  A Publication of the National Forensic League, 87 (8), 38-42.

Cobane, C., and Lux, J. (2012).  The three Ts of giving back:  Time, talent, and treasure.  Rostrum:  A Publication of the National Forensic League, 86 (9), 32-34.

Lux, J., and Cobane, C. (2012).  Advocating forensics.  Rostrum:  A Publication of the National Forensic League, 86 (6), 22-27.

Lux, J., and Cobane, C. (2011).  Coach leadership:  Strategies and goals.  Rostrum:  A Publication of the National Forensic League, 86 (4), 30-33.

Lux, J. (2011).  Leading a team by inclusivity:  One debate team’s success story.  National Hazing Prevention Week Guidebook, 51-52.

Coel-Coleman, C.  (2010).  The presentation guidebook:  From the classroom to the boardroom. (Contributing Author).  Dubuque, IA:  Kendall Hunt.

Going Old School in the New Age
Resolve Enrollment Technology Conference, January 2019

Data Science and the Trail of the Student Decision Journey 
ACT Enrollment Planners Annual Conference, July 2017

Getting Ready for Work Ready: A Closer Look at Kentucky’s Work Ready Scholarship
KYACAC Annual Conference, March 2017

How Digital Display and Marketing Automation Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Chocolate
KYACAC Annual Conference, March 2017

Keynote Address
National Forensic League of Korea, January 2014

Leadership and Delegation
National Communication Association Annual Conference, November 2014

Mission Possible: Examining the Value of Academic Debate Formats Through the Lens of Contrast and Comparison in Relation to a Standard of Educational Value
National Communication Association Annual Conference, November 2014