A national search is under way for a new senior associate vice president of marketing and communications at Virginia Tech.
Along with the formulation of a search committee with representation from across the university, Virginia Tech has engaged with search firm WittKieffer to guide recruitment and attract the right leader.
Based within the university’s Advancement Division, Marketing and Communications works across the university to expand and protect Virginia Tech’s brand reputation and support university, advancement, college, and unit priorities. In recent months, the organization has undertaken a strategic transition to become mission-driven, audience-focused, and measurement-proven, retooling structure and operation to better elevate the university, deepen trust, and create stronger connections with the audiences that help Virginia Tech achieve its research, education and outreach goals.
The organization is aligning content, channels, and workflows around metrics, clear priorities, smarter collaboration, and regular benchmarking against its strongest peers. The team has identified a range of target audiences from external to internal, and has outlined objectives for the audiences. Leaders are now implementing the findings of best practices research, exploring and documenting content strategy and digital strategy, working in new ways with partners across campus, and standing up a measurement team to continuously refine tactics and deliver even greater value.
The transition is designed to meet the aspirations of the university and prepare for a new Marketing and Communications leader.
“Virginia Tech is poised to build upon on its recent momentum in ways that have measurable impact, and the Marketing and Communications team is crucial to that success,” said Tom Wamsley, senior vice president for advancement. “We’re looking for a leader in the marketing and communications field who is energized by the opportunity to refine and shape a high-performing operation, apply and expand best practices, and help us tell the story of an R1 research university in ways that strengthen trust and engagement with the local, regional and global communities we serve.”
- John Carberry, search committee chair and acting head of Marketing and Communications
- Frances Keene, vice president for Student Affairs
- Lisa Wilkes, vice president for strategic initiatives and special assistant to the president
- M. Daniel Givens, dean, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
- Amy Orders, associate vice president for public safety
- Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management
- Chris Yianilos, vice president for government and community relations
- Shannon Andrea, director of marketing and communications, D.C. area
- Stephen Milleson, director of integrated and digital marketing
- Donna Wertalik, director of student engagement and professor of practice, Pamplin College of Business
- Maurisa Turner Potts ’95, founder and CEO, Spotted MP; Virginia Tech Alumni Association board of directors
