Sara Freeland is a storyteller from Athens, Georgia.

 

She got her first scoop in fourth grade when she interviewed the school’s principal on hard-hitting issues, like if a celebrity ever attended the school. She was on staff in the middle school newspaper. In college, she took photos and wrote features and op-eds for The Red & Black, the University of Georgia's independent student newspaper. 

 

She graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism. She got her start at her local community newspaper (because her dad knew the owner through Boy Scouts), worked the midnight shift at the regional daily newspaper and then worked for another weekly newspaper, where 7 a.m. – 1 a.m. were the Tuesday hours.

 

She quickly got out of journalism and crossed over to the dark side of public relations for better pay and more time off. She worked as a staff writer for the University of Georgia’s faculty and staff newspaper for six years, where she wrote staff profiles and managed the university’s events calendar. Starting in 2013, she served as public relations coordinator for the university, and handled media relations for the university. A story-teller at heart, she managed UGA’s student stories series and Amazing Students section.

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She currently serves as communications director for UGA's Office of Instruction, and oversees communications for 20 units. In November 2022, she received a Phoenix Award from PRSA Georgia for her targeted summer campaign, which increased class hour enrollment 10%. 

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She manages websites, graphic design, writing, logos and branding, newsletters and more as part of her daily job. 

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She's accredited in public relations, and her highest scores were in crisis and issues management and leading the public relations function. 

 

In her free time, Sara is an avid runner. She served on the Board of Directors Athens Road Runners, where she was secretary and communications director. She helped plan the first Milledge Mile race, and led monthly local trail runs. 

 

She lives in Athens, with her police officer husband, three cats and new puppy. In July 2022, she finished a Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing from Middle Georgia State University. She was named to PRSA Georgia’s Forty Under 40 list for 2020. 

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