Colgate University President Jeffrey Herbst today announced the selection of Rachel Reuben as vice president for communications, effective July 28.
Reuben will join Colgate from Ithaca College, where, as associate vice president for marketing communications since 2010, she has overseen strategic marketing and branding of the college, as well as advancement and athletic communications, media relations, social media, digital strategy, recruitment marketing, and editorial and creative services.
While at Ithaca College, Reuben led a rebranding effort that resulted in a new logo, a new visual identity, and a new core messaging platform and campaign. She developed the first institutional strategic marketing plan and advertising campaign, a comprehensive crisis communication plan, and a trademark and licensing program. She reorganized the Office of Marketing Communications into a more effective team dedicated to providing support and strategic advisement to the broader college community.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Rachel join us, especially as her particular set of strategic and creative skills is in very high demand in higher education today,” said Herbst. “Her contribution to Colgate’s senior team and her leadership of the communications office will advance our goal to sharpen Colgate’s identity at this increasingly competitive time.” Herbst credited the search committee, led by Dean of the College Suzy Nelson, for shepherding the process to successful conclusion.
Reuben began her career in higher education at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where she also earned undergraduate degrees in marketing and organizational communication, and an MBA in marketing and management. She began there as a web editor and served most recently as the director of web communication, strategic projects, and the college’s welcome center.
Reuben is a leader in her field, presenting regularly at national conferences including the American Marketing Association’s Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education. For the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, she served as chair and faculty member for the 2014 Annual Conference on Marketing and Branding, and as faculty member for the Institute for Senior Marketing and Communication Professionals. Her writings and expertise have been featured in the Chronicle of Higher Education, University Business, CASE Currents, Campus Technology, and many blogs.
“I am honored to be joining such a vibrant community where there is much excitement and momentum about the recently adopted strategic plan,” said Reuben. “I look forward to working with the president’s leadership team, the communications staff, and the entire campus community to continue to build on the college’s many successes and share them with the world.”