Marcelle Fontenot, a veteran newscaster with deep ties to the Acadiana community, has been named chief communications officer at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Fontenot will lead the University’s Office of Communications & Marketing, which oversees the institution’s strategic communications, media relations, marketing, brand stewardship, digital engagement and storytelling.
She will begin her role April 1.
An Opelousas native, Fontenot has spent more than 20 years working in broadcast journalism in Acadiana and is widely recognized as one of the region’s most trusted voices in local news. She most recently served as an anchor for News 15 on KADN-TV and KLAF-TV in Lafayette and previously spent many years at KATC-TV as a main evening anchor.
Throughout her career, Fontenot has covered many of the defining events affecting Louisiana and the Acadiana region, including major hurricanes, elections and other significant stories that shaped communities across the state. Known for her calm presence during emergencies, she has helped deliver critical information to the public during hurricanes, health crises and other major events.
Her work has earned numerous professional and community honors, including Associated Press awards for investigative and community affairs reporting.
As chief communications officer, Fontenot will oversee the University’s integrated communications strategy and the work of the Office of Communications & Marketing. The office manages the University’s external and internal communications, media relations, marketing and advertising campaigns, photography, creative services, social media strategy, web content, print and digital publications, licensing and brand identity.
She will also serve as primary communications adviser to University leadership, including Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, UL Lafayette president. Kolluru said Fontenot’s deep ties to Acadiana and extensive experience communicating with the public make her uniquely suited for the role.
“Marcelle has spent her career informing and connecting the people of Acadiana,” Kolluru said. “She understands this community and the stories that matter here. Her experience as a journalist and her credibility with the public will help us share the University’s impact more effectively and strengthen our engagement with the communities we serve.”
Fontenot said she is honored to join UL Lafayette and help share the University’s story.
“In my heart, I am a storyteller,” Fontenot said. “And UL Lafayette has an incredible story to tell — about the people who make this University special, the students who come here to pursue their dreams and the faculty and staff who support them every step of the way.”
Fontenot earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Southern University. She has also been actively involved in the Acadiana community through organizations including the Junior League of Acadiana, Acadiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana, where she served as a child advocate supporting youth development and mentorship.
Photo caption: Marcelle Fontenot, UL Lafayette's incoming chief communications officer (Photo credit: Paul Kieu / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)