51�鱨վ

51�鱨վ (51�鱨վ) is celebrating the Division of University Communications inaugural leader as it prepares to welcome a new communications and marketing executive and proven industry professional to the 51�鱨վ family.  The division was initially established in the summer of 2022 and has progressed under the leadership of Vice President for University Communications and Chief Marketing Officer Jaime Hunt.

In reflecting on her positive experience as a dedicated Monarch, Vice President Hunt said, “I have sincerely enjoyed the opportunity to serve 51�鱨վ and create positive change.  I am leaving the University to pursue a 25-year goal of starting my own consulting agency.  During my two-year tenure at the University, there are several accomplishments that I am very proud of.  Those include, but are not limited to: implementing a marketing maturity model to evaluate and evolve the division; launching a multi-channel marketing strategy around the University’s Research 1 status; working with The College Tour to develop a 30-minute episode for the Amazon Prime Show as the first school in Virginia to be showcased; and working closely with campus partners to launch a redesign of the University’s website and oversee the migration to a new content management system.  I express my best wishes to President Hemphill, the senior leadership team, and the division staff on all future endeavors, which I know will create countless opportunities for Monarch students and the broader community!”

With Vice President Hunt’s forthcoming departure, President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. expressed his appreciation for her leadership and service. President Hemphill also announced the selection of Kimberly Osborne to serve as the University’s Vice President for University Communications and Chief Marketing Officer effective July 1, 2024.  Vice President Osborne has a 25-year demonstrated record of expertise and service in integrated marketing communications including advertising, branding, data analytics, marketing strategy, market research, organizational capacity, public relations, team building, sponsorship, and technology.

President Hemphill said, “Kimberly has a diverse background in the communications industry from her rich experiences as a news anchor and reporter; a gubernatorial press secretary; and now a well-established and highly-respected higher education professional.  She will hit the ground running and immediately build capacity and successfully produce results in our continued and worthwhile efforts to showcase our University by increasing awareness for our mission and our work, as well as enhancing our reputation locally, nationally, and internationally.”

Professor of Marketing and International Business and Eminent Scholar John B. Ford, Ph.D. shared, “Under President Hemphill’s leadership, our University has truly stepped forward to implement best practices and advance coordinated efforts in this critical area.  I am encouraged by our early results under Jaime and look forward to partnering with Kimberly in the months and years to come as this is truly a campus-wide effort that requires the buy-in, engagement, and support of all Monarchs both near and far.”

Vice President Osborne currently leads the University Communications team at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) where she has held a variety of leadership roles over the past seven years.  In her current role, she works closely with senior members of UNCG’s academic and administrative leadership to build and advance a campus-wide, comprehensive, strategic integrated marketing communications strategy to organize and develop a team to devise strategic plans to advance UNCG’s reputation for academic excellence, research, economic impact, and service. At UNCG, the University Communications team includes experts in project and event management, digital (web and mobile app), digital asset management, graphic design, content marketing, news writing, public relations, social media, photography, and videography.  As such, she leads University Communications with a focus on UNCG’s brand and marketing initiatives and works with members of the Cross-Functional Marketing Communications Team and ProCommunicators Group.

In being selected as 51�鱨վ’s top communications and marketing leader, Vice President Osborne said, "I am honored and excited to join the Monarch family.  51�鱨վ has an incredible story to tell - one of achievement, excellence, and inspiration that I witnessed first-hand when visiting the campus and the community. I look forward to working with the University Communications team and our outstanding students, faculty, and staff to showcase Old Dominion as the true leader it is in Hampton Roads and beyond as we carry out President Hemphill’s vision for the current state and future possibilities of our great institution."

Vice President Osborne is a member of the Forbes Communications Council, which is an invitation-only professional organization for senior-level marketing and communications executives.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland College and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University.

Posted on May 6, 2024