University Relations Move Reinforces Campuswide Communications Role

Photo by Roy Cordell

Aerial view of the U of A campus.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Office of University Relations will make an organizational move from the Division of University Advancement to the Chancellor’s Office in order to reinforce the office’s role in leading the university’s strategic communication and marketing efforts, brand management and related guidance and support. The move will take effect Dec. 1. 

“University Relations has done an excellent job developing a unified approach to communicating about the university by aligning university strategy with communications strategy,” said Chancellor Joe Steinmetz. “This move will streamline that strategic interaction with campus leaders while more effectively representing the broad communications role and scope of University Relations in advancing the university’s goals and objectives.” 

The move also seems to reflect a trend in higher education. An informal survey of land-grant institutions suggests that the communications function at more than half of those institutions now report to the offices of the chancellor or president. 

Mark Rushing, associate vice chancellor for university relations since 2016, will continue to lead the University Relations team. He will now report directly to Laura Jacobs, vice chancellor and chief of staff. 

University Relations was once a part of the Chancellor’s Office but in 1998 became part of the newly formed Division of University Advancement. The advancement model was the prevailing model in higher education during that time. In that time, the U of A launched a capital campaign and enlarged the communications support structure to support not only the campaign, but the newly articulated priorities of the institution. In the past 20 years, communications resources have grown strategically to support the needs of the university and its colleges, schools, units and divisions. 

“The University Relations team is incredible and their accomplishments are too numerous to list,” said Mark Power, vice chancellor for advancement. “I have been honored to work with them and witness first-hand the important role they play with all university stakeholders and ultimately the amazing impact they have on our faculty, staff and students. We will certainly miss University Relations as an Advancement unit, but know that they will still be a part of our global family and that we will always work closely with them.”

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 fewer than 3 percent of colleges and 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.