April 18, 2006 Source: :
http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/newsreleases.cfm?id=7487 University of Alberta names new vice-president of external relations Sandra Conn has been named vice-president, external relations, effective July 1, 2006. She currently serves as assistant vice-president for university relations at Michigan State University. Conn will direct the University of Alberta's efforts in marketing and media relations, government relations, alumni relations and development. "At a time when the University of Alberta is experiencing tremendous growth in its impact and aspirations, Sandra brings to our senior administrative team a wealth of experience in moving the identity and image of major universities forward," said University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera. "She has a vision of how we can ensure that our reputation and visibility keep pace with the reality of our accomplishments." In her position at Michigan State University (MSU), Conn directed the branding initiative that positioned the university to achieve its goals for a $1.2 billion capital campaign, a 150-anniversary celebration and undergraduate and graduate student recruiting. She also assisted individual colleges within the university in developing branding campaigns under the MSU brand that have enhanced their success in advancing their academic reputations, alumni involvement and development efforts. Prior to her work at MSU, Conn held several senior administrative positions at Indiana University (IU) where she developed a branding campaign for the statewide system of eight campuses and managed a variety of marketing and communications initiatives throughout the system. Earlier, Conn was president and CEO of a full-service marketing communications firm in Chicago which she sold in 1994 to assume the job at IU. She also has extensive university teaching experience and served as J. Stewart Riley Professor in the School of Journalism at IU, and early in her career, taught English and humanities at the University of Louisville, Northwestern University and in the University of Wisconsin system. Conn's expertise has been recognized with awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and other communications, marketing and advertising associations in the U.S. "I am excited to come to Edmonton to work with President Samarasekera and the senior administrative team and help the University of Alberta position itself to achieve its vision for the 21st century," said Conn. "It is an honour for me to have been selected for this position, and I look forward to working with the entire External Relations team." The University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of Canada's premier teaching and research universities, serving approximately 36,500 students with some 9,400 faculty and staff. For more information please contact File No: 17 Sandra Halme, Public Affairs, 780-492-0442. April 18, 2006 www.ualberta.ca
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