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September 2007 Spotlight on Staff: Barbara Porter
It’s safe to say that Barbara Porter likes taking on new challenges. In 1998, she left a 25-year career in broadcast journalism to try her hand in university media relations, ultimately leading the GW Medical Center’s communications efforts. Five years later, she took a yearlong leave of absence from GW to serve as vice president for communications and marketing at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Ore. And this summer, she took on the newly created role of chief of staff to incoming GW President Steven Knapp. Q: What are your major responsibilities as chief of staff to President Knapp? A: The position is new to GW, although a number of other university presidents have a chief of staff. I will be a conduit for requests and the eyes and ears of the president. He has fairly clearly articulated his goals for the University—I’ll help facilitate the accomplishment of these goals. Q: What do you expect to be most challenging about the new job? A: Introducing President Knapp to the GW culture and ensuring that he gets out and meets people strategic to the University. Q: How long have you been at GW? What was your first position here? A: I first came to GW nine years ago as director of public affairs in University Relations. In 2000, I moved over to the Medical Center, first as director of media relations, then as assistant vice president of media, marketing, and communications. I oversaw all communications programs for the Medical Center and worked to help Dr. Williams after 9-11 to coordinate the efforts on homeland security, emergency preparedness, and crisis communications. Q: You were a radio broadcaster. What made you make the switch to GW? A: Education was something I believed in. I wanted to continue working in communications, but I needed a change from radio. The job at GW was a great opportunity. Q: You’ve led a lot of crisis communications training. What was the biggest crisis you’ve had to respond to at work? A: The series of high-profile patients at GW hospital, including Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General John Ashcroft, and the aftermath of 9-11. Some of the Pentagon victims were treated at GW Hospital, and the subsequent scare about anthrax and bioterrorism really kept us on our toes. Q: Did you miss GW and the East Coast when you were in Oregon? How different was the West Coast culture? A: It’s definitely a different culture and mentality out there. It was beautiful and peaceful. But I missed the hustle and bustle of Washington. Q: Tell me about your family. A: I’m married and have four children: a 23-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son, and then, four years ago, we adopted a brother and sister from Russia—Viktor and Nadya—who are now 9 and 11. They’ve adjusted very well to life in America, but we try to continue to expose them to Russian cultural traditions. For example, Nadya is learning traditional Russian painting. Also, my older daughter has a daughter, so I’m a grandmother, too! Q: Where did you grow up? A: I’m from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and, except for the time in Oregon, I’m a lifelong East Coaster. Q: What’s something people might not know about you? A: I’m an amateur actor and playwright. I actually met my husband when we were both performing in a local play. I write children’s plays, some of which have been performed at area theaters, including the Children’s Theatre in Arlington. Q: What’s the last movie you’ve seen? A: Ratatouille. With four kids and a granddaughter, I see a lot of kids’ movies! I also saw the new Julie Christie movie Away From Her, which was amazing. In addition, I love to read. My teenage son is a voracious reader and is turning me on to contemporary authors. Q: Favorite vacation spot? A: New York City. We have an apartment in Manhattan and go up there every chance we get.
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