National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) has enrolled in a service that will automatically send personalized press releases to each graduate’s hometown newspapers after their commencement. In addition, a personalized press release is posted online and a link is sent to each graduate. The link allows the graduate to post the release to Facebook, Twitter or email the good news to family and friends.

“The release can also be a great addition to a professional portfolio, or linked in an email to a prospective employer,” says Victoria Sweeney, director of communications and enrollment services for NUHS.

“While there is no guarantee that local papers will run the story, many do,” says Sweeney. “This can really help if a graduate is returning to that area to practice, and it also helps get the word out about National University to other prospective students in that local area.”

National University’s registrar includes questions on the commencement application to garner the hometown and zip code data necessary for issuing each release. Students also have the ability to opt out of the release program should they so desire. Currently, the press release service is only available for students listing a hometown in the United States.

National University’s Office of Communications began sending press releases for College of Professional Studies graduates in December 2010. In April 2011, the office also sent out press releases for students graduating from the College of Allied Health Sciences.

For more information about the hometown press release program, contact the Office of Communications at 630-889-6529.