Rudgers

ANN ARBOR—Lisa M. Rudgers will be appointed vice president for communications at the University of Michigan effective May 15, U-M President Lee C. Bollinger announced today.

Rudgers is assistant vice president for university relations at Michigan State University. Her U-M appointment was approved by the U-M Regents at their April 13 meeting.

Rudgers will be responsible for planning, directing and managing the University Relations program including the Freedom of Information Office, Office of Marketing Communications, Media Relations and Public Affairs, Michigan Radio, and News and Information Services. As an executive officer, she will be a member of the senior management team and will advise deans, directors, executive officers and the president regarding communications. She also will serve as a University spokesperson as well as plan and direct a comprehensive communications program to inform constituents and the public of the University’s activities, goals and needs.

“I am delighted that Ms. Rudgers will be leading the University’s communications efforts,” Bollinger said. “She brings visionary leadership and a strong background in marketing and public relations to this vital position.”

Rudgers has worked in public relations and marketing for 15 years. As assistant vice president and director of public relations at MSU since March 1998, she has directed MSU’s national, regional, and local media relations strategy, and has sharpened MSU’s marketing and integrated communications strategy. Her work has included restructuring the division to meet changing university communications needs, including enhanced Internet-based communications opportunities.

Prior to joining MSU, Rudgers served as the director of news and communications at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., from 1994 to 1998. As the senior communications officer of the university, she advised the president, vice presidents and deans regarding public relations. She was responsible for the planning and implementation of a comprehensive communications program, including the launch of new visual identity package, the redesign of all undergraduate recruitment literature, the production of a quarterly alumni magazine, and communications planning for a capital campaign. Rudgers served as associate director of marketing and publications at Rensselaer from 1992 to 1994.

Rudgers was a member of the senior management team at Media Logic Inc. of Albany, N.Y., from 1987 to 1992. She was an account supervisor and marketing planner for the marketing and public relations firm, one of the largest agencies in upstate New York. In that role she coordinated integrated communications planning and implementation for a variety of corporate and not-for-profit clients. She also worked as a public relations account executive with Arnold & Company Public Relations of Albany, and served as director of public relations and financial development for the Troy-Cohoes YWCA.

Rudgers graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1985.

vice president for communicationsuniversity relationsFreedom of Information OfficeMedia Logic Inc.