Donna Stuckert, a public relations professional with almost 20 years of communications experience, was appointed to the position of public education coordinator for the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County last month. 
Stuckert will help communicate the district’s messages concerning reuse, recycling, source reduction, composting, household hazardous waste management and general environmental protection to Porter County residents. Her duties will include public relations; education; establishing and maintaining relationships with local government entities and other organizations; building and updating the district’s website, www.itmeanstheworld.org; programming; and coordinating special events, including the district’s annual Earth Day Celebration.
Therese Davis, executive director for the district, said, “We are very pleased to have Donna join the district team. Her experience in public relations, communication and working for a governmental agency are a perfect fit. She is bringing a fresh perspective to the district which we believe will help us enhance our image within Porter County.”
Stuckert, who recently finished a year stint in the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications at Valparaiso University, spent almost eight years as the community information coordinator for the City of Evanston, Illinois, where she worked in the City Manager’s Office handling public relations for a number of departments, including public works, which dealt with trash and recycling.
“I enjoy working for government agencies and working for the greater good,” said Stuckert. “I know I also am going to learn a lot about the environment here, which excites me, and I’ll hopefully be able to communicate that to the residents of Porter County and help increase interest and participation in environmental practices and programs.”
Stuckert, originally from Highland, Ind., worked in editorial for the Calumet Press from 1991-1992 before she moved to Illinois to work for the Lake Villa District Library, Lake Villa. Her experience also includes work at Emergency 24, Inc., Chicago, and Senior Helpers, Crown Point, Ind.
Stuckert holds a Master of Arts degree in public relations from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications with an emphasis in public relations from Purdue University Calumet. She returned to Northwest Indiana in 2008 to be closer to her family. She and her husband, James Graham, live in Schererville.