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City of Manhattan welcomes Vivienne Leyva as Communications and Marketing Manager/PIO

City of Manhattan News Posted on April 23, 2026

(MANHATTAN, Kan. – April 23, 2026) — 

The City of Manhattan has hired Vivienne Leyva as its new Communications and Marketing Manager/Public Information Officer, joining the organization in late March. 

Leyva previously served the City of Manhattan from 2017 to 2021 before spending the past four years as Public Information Officer for Riley County. In her new role, she will lead the City’s communications and marketing strategy, supervise communications staff and interns, coordinate organization-wide campaigns, oversee City websites, lead crisis communication planning, and serve as the City’s primary media contact and spokesperson. She also will help represent the City in the Emergency Operations Center during crises. 

“Vivienne brings a strong combination of municipal experience, regional knowledge, and communications leadership to this role. Her previous service to the City of Manhattan and her public information work across the region make her exceptionally well-positioned to help us communicate clearly, strengthen public trust, and support our organization and residents,” said Technology and Communications Director Jared Wasinger . 

During her time in local government, Leyva led or supported communications during significant emergency and disaster response efforts, including COVID-19, flooding events in 2018 and 2019, and tornadoes in 2022 and 2023.  

Leyva holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Southern California and has also completed graduate coursework toward a master’s degree in Mass Communications at Kansas State University. 

She is active in a number of professional and community organizations, including the Flint Hills Public Information Officers, the Kansas Association of Public Information Officers, the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program Board of Trustees, Kansas State University MPA Program Advisory Board, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee, where she serves as chair. 

“I’m thrilled to return to the City of Manhattan and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this community,” Leyva said. “I’m looking forward to the work ahead and to strengthening relationships across the community and the region. People here are so warm and welcoming, and seeing familiar faces has made the transition back especially meaningful.” 

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Photo of Vivienne Leyva courtesy of the City of Manhattan 


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