Stacey Schmeidel (right) began work this week as Davidson College’s new director of college Communications. She supervises a staff of nine, and oversees the college’s media relations, news, publications, photography, and Web site functions. Former communications director Meg Kimmel is now the full-time editor of the Davidson Journal magazine and also will focus on major writing projects.

Ms. Schmeidel came to Davidson from Amherst College in Massachusetts, where she spent nine years directing public relations. In a statement, she said she was attracted to Davidson by the college’s increasing national reputation, and hopes to use her contacts with national media to further promote its people and programs.

“I am committed to a career that allows me to contribute to the life of the mind,” she said. “I’ve admired the attention that Davidson’s educational program has received, and the new financial aid program that replaces all student loans with grants. I welcome the opportunity to be useful at an institution with such energy and excitement.”

Schmeidel received her bachelor’s degree in humanities at the University of Southern California in 1986, and began her career as a writer/editor at The Claremont Colleges. She has also served in the public relations departments at Grinnell College, Smith College and Gettysburg College. Schmeidel won an award from the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education (CASE) for participating in the redesign of Amherst College’s viewbook, and received a feature writing award while at Grinnell for a story on a student community outreach program. She was a board member of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Hampshire County United Way, and her local city government planning board. She was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the American Red Cross.