Mark Rushing Selected to Lead University Relations

Photo by Russell Cothren

Mark Rushing.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Alumnus Mark Rushing was named assistant vice chancellor of university relations at the University of Arkansas effective April 1, after leading the office as acting director since the beginning of the year. Rushing, who previously served as the office’s director of strategic communications, joined the university relations team on April 2, 2012. 

“Mark Rushing has proven his worth to the university in so many areas and is the natural choice to lead the university’s communications efforts in the future,” said Chris Wyrick, vice chancellor for university advancement.

In his first four years on campus, Rushing led or significantly contributed to numerous key communication initiatives, including helping create and continuing to coordinate the university’s award-winning video series, Arkansas Short Takes. He was also designated the university’s first campus coordinator for Freedom of Information Act requests and earned Advancement Division employee of the year honors in 2014.

"I have a great deal of pride for my alma mater, its mission and the positive impact it provides to the state and beyond,” Rushing said. “It’s an honor for me to have the opportunity to continue working with so many talented professionals and great people in university relations, the Advancement Division and across campus to make a great university even better, while helping communicate what makes this place so special.”

Prior to joining the university, Rushing’s experience included more than 15 years as a public relations executive and broadcast journalist. He received numerous broadcasting awards, including three regional Emmy Awards and two regional Edward R. Murrow awards while working for television stations in Fayetteville, Tallahassee and Little Rock. Rushing also received several national awards for public relations projects and programs, earned while he served as the director of public relations for Thoma Thoma, a Little Rock-based marketing and communications firm.

As assistant vice chancellor for university relations, Rushing will oversee a department that is responsible for all university communications and media relations, including social media; marketing and branding of the university; promotion and publicizing of the university’s fundraising efforts; supervision of website design and development; the university’s design, photography and videography production; and crisis communications.

Rushing is a Fayetteville native and graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He also holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Memphis.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.