Livis Freeman
Livis Freeman graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1999 with a degree in psychology. He is pursuing a master of arts in integrated marketing communications from UNC-Wilmington and expected to graduate in 2025.
He started a public and community relations company called 4ourFans, Inc. in 2001 to help professional athletes create their charitable identities, give back to their communities, improve their image, manage their public and media relations, improve their marketability, show fan appreciation, rebrand and transition into executive management and broadcast careers. Through operating 4ourFans, he has worked with sports stars such as Jerry Stackhouse (NBA), Antawn Jamison (NBA), Juwan Howard (NBA), Brendan Haywood (NBA), Jarvis Hayes (NBA), Erick Dampier (NBA), TJ Ford (NBA), Kris Jenkins (NFL), Quentin Groves (NFL), Chansi Stuckey (NFL), Tim Clark (PGA), Charles Howell III (PGA) and former two-time heavyweight boxing champion Riddick Bowe. Through 4ourFans, he created an internship program that has given over 80 students around the country the chance to get valuable experience in public and community relations.
The Triangle Business Journal has recognized Freeman as a recipient of their 2007 40 Under 40 Leadership Awards. WCHL also recognized him with a Carolina Pride “Hometown Heroes Award.”
In addition to running 4ourFans, Inc., Freeman is an associate professor at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, where he has taught courses including “MEJO 531: Case Studies in Public Relations,” “MEJO 441: Diversity and Communication,” “MEJO 240: Current Issues in Mass Communication,” “MEJO 634: Public Relations Campaigns,” “MEJO 379: Advertising and Public Relations Research,” “MEJO 141: Media Ethics,” “MEJO 377: Sports Communication,” “MEJO 137: Intro to AD/PR,” and “MEJO 544: Career Exploration and Preparation.” He created “MEJO 544” in the fall of 2018, designed for seniors to help them navigate and minimize the stress from the job application process; create professional portfolios, resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles; connect them with graduates for mentorship; become more effective networkers and better interviewees; and think more critically about the role that race, diversity, inclusion and racial equity have in the workplace.
He is UNC Hussman’s assistant dean for course management and staffing. In this role, Freeman is responsible for scheduling classes and ensuring that all undergraduate courses are staffed with instructors, making decisions regarding faculty teaching assignments, and overseeing and leading school efforts to identify and recruit temporary faculty to teach in the undergraduate curriculum. He serves as the supervisor of record for adjunct instructors and leads initiatives to enhance their experiences within the school. He also serves as the summer school administrator for all summer courses.
Freeman also directs UNC Hussman’s Sports Communication Certificate Program and the Chuck Stone Program for Diversity in Media and Education.
He received the Richard Cole Service Award in 2023 and 2018 for striving to create a collaborative culture within the school.
In 2023, he received the Edward Vick Award for Innovation in Teaching, which recognizes creativity and innovation in teaching that meaningfully enhances student learning experiences.