Office of the President
Dear Colleagues,
As the 2020-21 year draws to a close, it is my pleasure to share several personnel updates that will be key to Union College’s success in the coming years.
Scott Jones will join us as vice president for Administration and Finance. Scott has extensive experience in financial management in higher education. For the past 16 years Scott has been the assistant vice president for finance at Colby College. Prior to that, Scott was the senior manager for business analysis for nearly six years at the University of Virginia. Scott will succeed Michele Gibson, who is retiring at the end of July.
Mark Land will join us as vice president for Communications and Marketing. Mark spent the past nearly five years as the inaugural vice president for university relations at Clemson University. As a member of the executive leadership team, Mark oversaw marketing, strategic communications, media relations and public affairs. For the preceding five years he was associate vice president of public affairs and government relations for Indiana University, overseeing the strategic communications and media relations teams.
He takes over for Leah Rosen, who informed me earlier this year she wished to step away from her role. Although Leah is leaving her position as vice president, she will be staying on as chief marketing officer working with Mark to continue designing and executing the marketing strategy for the College.
Please join me in welcoming Scott and Mark to Union. Both will begin their new roles Aug. 2.
As I did in February when I announced that Michele and Leah would be leaving their roles, I wish to acknowledge their contributions to Union, particularly in dealing with the daily challenges of the pandemic for the past 15 months. They leave Union in a better place than before their arrival. I am particularly proud to call Michele and Leah colleagues. I have enjoyed working with both of them.
In addition, I am pleased to share that Renee Michalisin will join the Office of the President as executive assistant. Renee has spent nearly 28 years as a senior executive assistant for the SI Group in Niskayuna. Renee will begin her role on July 12.
Lastly, it is my pleasure to announce that Darcy Czajka ’00 has been promoted to vice president and chief of staff. Darcy has served as chief of staff since 2017. This promotion recognizes that in addition to being an invaluable member of the Office of the President, she is also an exceptional senior leader of the College. The many examples of her ongoing contributions include oversight of the Title IX office, development and management of key aspects of our COVID-19 response and leadership of the Administrative Excellence Project.
After this most challenging of years, I look forward to working with this senior team and all of you on emerging stronger than ever as an institution. I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable summer.
Best,
David
