Elizabeth Stauderman, Yale University’s chief communications officer, has been named the University of Rochester’s vice president for communications, President Joel Seligman announced today. Stauderman succeeds Bill Murphy, who is retiring. She will join the University August 1.
“This is a ten-strike. Elizabeth has been notably successful in designing and implementing communications plans at the Yale School of Management and managing Yale’s complex communications systems,” said Seligman. “Elizabeth has the expertise, imagination and judgment to bring our communications to the next level.”
Stauderman is an experienced leader in external relations, institutional positioning and issues management. Her career in higher education of more than 20 years has included roles in communications, alumni relations, annual fundraising, and student affairs.
“I am looking forward to joining the University of Rochester, and working with President Seligman and his superb team,” said Stauderman. “The momentum on campus is palpable and I am truly excited about becoming a part of that energy and enthusiasm, and working with my new colleagues in University Communications to help realize the University’s goals.”
A graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, Stauderman joined Yale’s Office of Public Affairs & Communications in July 2010 as deputy chief communications officer, and was promoted to chief communications officer and special assistant to the president in Jan. 2012. In this senior leadership position, she advises Yale’s president and cabinet on all aspects of strategic communications, counsels and represents the university on crisis issues, and leads a staff of 32 focused on national and international media relations, internal communications, video production and photography, institutional website development, and social media.
She implemented Yale’s first strategic communications plan; led the collaborative effort to create Yale’s first cohesive communications framework; and measurably grew Yale’s social media presence and engagement with key audiences, with a focus on extending its reach globally.
From 2006 to 2010, Stauderman was associate dean for communications and strategy at the Yale School of Management. She led the business school’s integrated marketing and communications planning, which included creative development of print and e-publications, media promotion of faculty and programs, advertising and graphic identity management, and competitive benchmarking and analysis, with a emphasis on national rankings.
Stauderman was director of public affairs for Yale Law School for seven years, and also directed graduate and external relations for Yale Divinity School. She served as associate dean for external affairs at the University of Richmond Law School, and held earlier public relations positions at the Yale School of Management.
She helped lead the most recent successful annual fundraising campaign at Yale for the United Way of Greater New Haven, and served on that organization’s board. She also served on the development board of WSHU Public Radio Group and on the board of directors of Market New Haven.
“Elizabeth has enormous energy and intelligence, as well as a clear vision on how she can help the University of Rochester build on the tremendous progress made in our communications efforts by Bill Murphy and his team,” said Doug Phillips, senior vice president for institutional resources, and chair of the search committee.
Seligman especially praised the work of the search committee and trustees and friends advisory committee that helped select the new vice president. In addition to Phillips, the search committee members were:
- Andrew Ainslie, Dean, Simon Business School
- Jonathan Binstock, Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director, Memorial Art Gallery
- Laura Brophy, Assistant Dean and Executive Director of External Relations, Warner School of Education
- Paul Burgett, Vice President, Senior Advisor to the President, and University Dean
- Robert Clark, Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Teri D’Agostino, Chief of Staff to the University of Rochester Medical Center CEO and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Stephen Dewhurst, Vice Dean for Research, Professor and Chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Thomas J. Farrell, Senior Vice President and Thompson Chief Advancement Officer
- Adam Frank, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Carmala Garzione, Professor and Chair, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Michele Gibson, Senior Associate Dean for Administration and Finance, Eastman School of Music
- Peter Lennie, Provost and Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences and Engineering
- Ronald J. Paprocki, Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance, Chief Financial Officer
- Kathy Rideout, Dean, School of Nursing
- Peter Robinson, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, University of Rochester Medical Center, Vice President, Government and Community Relations
The trustees and friends advisory committee was chaired by Trustee Naomi M. (Nomi) Bergman, and included Launcelot Drummond, Myra Gelband, Alan Hilfiker, Joseph Mack, Juliana Nicholson, Alexander Pearlman, and G. Robert Witmer, Jr.
University Communications encompasses institutional communications, creative services, media relations, web and social media, print and electronic periodicals, photography and videography, and Futurity.org, the international university research news source created in partnership with Duke and Stanford universities and edited at the University of Rochester.
