Audrie Osterman
Director of Communication and Marketing
The Media School
Audrie Osterman began her expanded role as director of communications and marketing at the Media School in July 2022, having worked at the school (and its previous life as the School of Journalism) since 2013 as a digital content manager and editor and director of experiential education.
Before joining the staff at IU, she worked as a newspaper reporter at the Elkhart Truth and as quality control lead/account coordinator for Hirons & Company, an Indianapolis-based communications agency. Osterman earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Master of Arts in journalism and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from IU.
Q: What led you to study at IU, and what’s favorite part of your new position as director of communications and marketing at the Media School?
A: I came to IU for college, and what made me choose IU specifically was the experience I had at the High School Journalism Institute. I think the natural follow-up question is: What kept leading you back to IU? And that is a community that inspired me, a mission I believed in and a city I could build a family in.
I am new to my job, of course, but I’ve been a part of the communications team for five years. So my favorite part is being able to look at what we’re communicating and to whom from a big picture standpoint and within the context of all the other areas of the school, instead of filling my head with posting this, tweeting that.
Top left: In 2019, Anne Kibbler and Osterman ordered a visit from a baby mule to Franklin Hall as a Valentine’s Day gift to Media School staff through the Monroe County Humane Association’s Send-a-Snuggle fundraiser. Top right: Osterman's dog, Chewy, was the two-time winner of the Monroe County Humane Association’s Barktoberfest Peanut Butter Licking Competition. His photo has appeared on the front page of the newspaper, obviously. Bottom: Osterman's first job at IU was director of experiential education for the School of Journalism. Her main responsibility was to coordinate travel opportunities for students, including the faculty-led overseas study programs. Osterman went on one such trip to Uganda where she was photographed with hippos.
Q: If you entered a time machine and were suddenly starting IU as an undergrad this fall, knowing what you know now, what would you study and why?
A: Public policy. Like many journalism majors, I double-majored in political science. I thought I was interested in politics, but really I was interested in government and legislation. I didn’t understand the difference until I was too far into it for it to make sense to switch.
I’d also take a foreign language more seriously. That’s what I most wish I could go back and change.
Q: What’s one thing you want people to know about the Media School that they might not know?
A: I want people to know they can check out all the cool work our students are doing on our website’s Student Work Gallery. The best part of our school is the exciting work our students create. You’ve got to take a look.
Q: What is your favorite part of campus (or Bloomington)?
A: The Biology Building Greenhouse.
Q: Which Media School colleague do you recommend we profile next?
A: Jay Kincaid. Here’s why.
