A restructuring of University Communications began last week. This reorganization is based on input from President’s Council, Deans Council, and other key partners across campus. These changes are necessary in order for University Communications to move forward in an audience-centered, data-driven, and digital-first way. Ultimately, the University needs greater emphasis on digital/mobile communications, as well as student recruitment, campus communications, alumni and donor communications, and public relations.  

Moving forward, University Communications will build strategic plans and make data-driven decisions that focus squarely on the needs of the University’s most important audiences. This new model introduces market research, brand strategy, and strategic planning, while infusing project management and accountability across the department. All the while, the team will be able to better collaborate on storytelling for key audiences and across multiple media, particularly digital and social media.

The five focus areas for University Communications are:

• Campus relations encompasses student recruitment communications and campus communications. Alyssa Young will serve as director, and she will lead a cross-functional team that includes Jill Brimeyer, Libby Burns, and Tim Schmitt. There is one open position that will be posted soon; that role will focus on the campus communications aspect.
• Alumni and donor communications will have greater attention now in terms of research, strategy, and planning. Beth Wilson will serve as director, and she will lead a cross-functional team that includes Emma Daily and Meredith Ponder.
• Public relations, as before, will encompass news media, social media, and related efforts. Jarad Bernstein will continue as the director of this team, which includes Aaron Jaco and Niki Smith.
• Digital communications will include for the first time a team to provide front-end design, content management, and content creation/coordination for both the University website and intranet. Jeremy Sievers will continue as director, and his cross-functional team will include Tim Schmitt (dotted line to Alyssa Young), Meredith Ponder (dotted line to Beth Wilson), and Justice Simpson. There will be two open positions posted soon; one role will focus on front-end design, and the other role will focus on content management.
• Brand strategy and implementation will involve a blend of in-house talent and outsourced expertise in market research and brand management that currently being sourced via a competitive RFP process led by Dave Remund, executive director.

Additionally, Sara Sommerlot-McWeeny continues as office manager for University Communications, along with budget management responsibility for all of University Advancement (dotted line to John Smith).

Work will continue, but please allow 90 days for University Communications to get its bearings. Change can’t happen overnight; the team needs time to modify practices and processes, initiate long-overdue market research, and build strategic plans. No doubt you may have questions; your feedback is welcome anytime.

—Dave Remund, University Communications