President David R. Harris has appointed two new members to his senior staff.
Scott Jones will join Union as vice president for Administration and Finance. Jones will oversee Auxiliary Services, Campus Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, Finance, Facilities Management and Information Technology Services.
He takes over for Michele Gibson, who is retiring.
Scott Jones
Mark Land will become the vice president for Communications and Marketing. He will oversee all communications and messaging activities for both internal and external audiences. The department includes media and public relations, marketing, publications, social media, the alumni magazine and the College’s website.
Land takes over for Leah Rosen, who is stepping away from the role. She will stay on as chief marketing officer, working closely with Land to advance Union’s academic reputation and articulate its distinctiveness.
Both Jones and Land begin Aug. 2.
“I am excited to welcome the talents and expertise of both Scott and Mark to our community,” said President Harris. “Both have extensive experience in higher education that will be critical to advancing our strategic plan. I look forward to working with Scott and Mark as we prepare for a new academic year.”
Jones spent nearly 16 years as the assistant vice president for finance at Colby College. He oversaw the Financial Planning Office, which is responsible for budget development and management for the college, as well as debt management and strategic and financial analysis. Jones was responsible for creation and supervision of a $230 million annual operating budget.
Other areas that reported to him include the Bookstore, Mailroom, Special Programs and the Scheduling Office.
Before joining Colby, Jones was the senior manager for business analysis for nearly six years at the University of Virginia, where he performed quarterly reviews of the university’s $1.6 billion budget and led analysis of all capital projects.
While at Colby, Jones was very active in the local community, serving on various boards and committees, including as board chair at the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. He also was a committee member for the Waterville Tax Increment Financing Committee.
Jones has a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in business administration from the College of William and Mary.
“I am at once very humbled and excited by this tremendous opportunity,” Jones said. “Union has the necessary elements and resources to achieve the College’s vision. Ultimately, I see my role as supporting faculty scholarship and helping Union’s dedicated faculty and staff provide the students with an educational experience second to none.”
Land spent more than four years as the vice president for university relations at Clemson University. As a member of the president’s executive leadership team, he oversaw a 65-person staff responsible for marketing, strategic communications, media relations and public affairs. He served as a university spokesman and its senior public affairs and executive communicator.
He helped launch Clemson’s first brand update and website redesign in nearly a decade, including a new site to highlight Clemson’s best stories and faculty experts.
Land also spent five years as associate vice president of public affairs and government relations for Indiana University, overseeing the strategic communications and media relations teams.
A journalist by training, Land spent the first 18 years of his career as a newspaper reporter and editor for daily newspapers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana and New York, including The Saratogian. He also brings nearly a decade of corporate experience as a communications leader for Cummins Inc., a Fortune 500 manufacturer based in Indiana.
He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University-Bloomington and a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia University.
“I am honored to be joining a community that has a rich history of providing generations of students with the tools necessary to lead lives of consequence,” said Land. “My wife, Karen, and I also are excited to be moving to the Schenectady region, of which Union is such a vital part. I can't wait to partner with my new colleagues to help further illuminate and elevate the great work being done by Union's students, faculty and staff every day.”