President David R. Harris has appointed Leah Rosen as the inaugural vice president for Communications and Marketing.
A member of the president’s senior staff, Rosen will oversee the Communications and Marketing operations for the College. Rosen brings more than 20 years of experience at the George Washington University (GW) in Washington, D.C., her alma mater. She has held positions in communications, marketing, special events and external relations. Most recently, Rosen served as the university’s associate vice president for Marketing and Creative Services, providing strategic direction for university-wide marketing campaigns, web and digital assets and creative services projects.
This vice president position is a new role for the College, created to elevate all communications and messaging activities and to ensure that internal and external audiences alike have a refined understanding of Union, its aspirations and its role in higher education. Rosen will work closely with President Harris and other senior colleagues, building a communications program that reflects and reinforces the vision and plans for the future. She will oversee the College’s Communications and Marketing office and its nine staff members.
Rosen begins her new role on Monday, April 13.
In welcoming her to the campus community, Harris cited Rosen’s extensive strategic higher education experience.
“Leah has an impressive background with more than 20 years of higher education marketing experience focused on both traditional and emerging media,” Harris said. “She brings creativity, vision, passion and leadership to the job that will enable progress on our strategic plan objectives of reaching new markets, advancing Union’s academic reputation and articulating our distinctiveness.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Union at such a transformational time and have been inspired by the faculty, students, staff, and alumni that I have met.” Rosen said. "I’m looking forward to working with President Harris and my colleagues to amplify Union’s story across audiences in new and innovative ways.”
During her tenure at GW, she developed multi-disciplinary marketing and creative services teams focused on meeting the needs of an ever-evolving higher education landscape, including leading efforts to define and maintain the university’s brand and visual identity. She established GW’s first multimedia team, producing Emmy Award-winning content and under her leadership, the university won its first Webby Award for its virtual tour. Additionally, Rosen has held key roles on university committees, most recently serving as co-chair for the university’s bicentennial celebration.
In addition to her administrative appointment, she taught event management courses in GW’s School of Business and traveled internationally with a group of students as a course facilitator at the 2012 London Olympics.
Rosen received a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Tourism Administration from GW.
Outside of the office, she expresses her creativity through a variety of art forms including, jewelry design, silversmithing and enameling. She also enjoys exploring nature, hiking with her dogs, gardening and entertaining friends and family at home.