University Communications Announces Leadership Updates

UNO’s Office of University Communications is excited to share two new leadership changes with campus.

The office will welcome Sasha Thurin as its new Director of Marketing beginning July 1. Concurrently, Sam Petto has been named the office’s Director of Editorial and Media Relations.

As Director of Marketing, Thurin will oversee UNO’s paid marketing strategy to increase positive perceptions of the UNO brand and support key admission goals.

Thurin comes to UNO with 15 years in marketing and advertising experience, most recently serving as Director of Sales at WOWT NBC Omaha. At WOWT, Thurin guided strategic marketing planning, increased annual advertising revenue by 58%, and played a key role in the station’s shift to digital advertising.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UNO and is active in the Omaha community through both volunteer work and professional organizations, including Women in Media Marketing and the Omaha chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

As Director of Editorial and Media Relations, Petto will have an expanded role enhancing UNO’s external and internal storytelling through owned channels and earned news media coverage.

Petto joined University Communications in 2015, taking on an associate director position in 2018. His time at UNO has been marked by strengthened relationships with local and national media; leadership on complex communications projects; and development of new initiatives that have grown the office’s storytelling efforts.

A former television producer for WOWT NBC Omaha, Petto is a double Maverick. He holds both a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Master of Arts in Communication from UNO. Petto is engaged in the Omaha community through professional organizations and volunteer work, including a board position on the Omaha Fencing Club.

University Communications Executive Director Makayla McMorris said the leadership changes will help the team continue to take UNO’s brand to the next level.

“We are blessed to have such a high-performing team,” McMorris said. “I have total confidence in Sam and Sasha’s leadership as we look to grow our brand in an impactful way and continue to strengthen relationships with our valued campus partners.”

Petto and Thurin will schedule meet-and-greet opportunities this summer, including drop-in media team visits to each academic college in August. Details will be shared via the Maverick Daily and Maverick Communications Group email list.