Jeff Neal Appointed Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing
Baltimore, MD (June 12, 2017) -- University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor Robert
L. Caret has appointed Jeff Neal as the system's vice chancellor for communications
and marketing. A veteran communications professional who held leadership
positions at Harvard University, as well as for a governor and two U.S.
senators from Rhode Island, Neal will join USM on August 7, 2017.
"Jeff
has the background in higher education and expertise in many aspects of
communications that we were hoping to find," said Chancellor Caret. "When we
talked to his references, we heard terms such as proactive, astute, respected,
self-motivated, collaborative, and valued colleague. We found the right person,
and I very much look forward to working with him in the years ahead."
As vice chancellor for marketing and communications, Neal will provide
strategic and comprehensive marketing and communications leadership,
management, and support for the system, Chancellor, senior leadership, and the
USM Board of Regents. Neal will lead an office responsible for communicating
effectively the advancement of USM's strategic priorities, and for helping to
increase various publics' understanding of and appreciation for the system and
its role in advancing opportunities for students and the state.
"I
am honored and excited by the opportunity to assist Chancellor Caret and his
team in promoting the University System of Maryland's mission of providing high
quality, accessible, affordable educational opportunities, supporting
groundbreaking research and scholarship, and serving the needs of the people of
both Maryland and the nation."
Neal will succeed USM vice chancellor for communications Anne J.
Moultrie, who in February 2017 announced her retirement from USM effective June
30, 2017.
Moultrie has led USM communications since late 2003 and served USM
institutions for 35 years. Before joining the USM Office, she served as
assistant dean of communications for the Smith School of Business at the
University of Maryland, College Park, the flagship of the 12-institution
University System of Maryland.
"The University System of Maryland has benefitted greatly from Anne's
professionalism, commitment, and wide-ranging communications expertise focused
on positioning the system and its leadership as excellent, innovative, fiscally
responsible, and committed to advancing opportunities for our students and our
state," Caret said.
Neal most recently served as chief university spokesperson and senior
director of communications at Harvard University through July 2016, having
joined the institution on a full-time basis in September 2009 as senior
communications officer.
He brings to the USM position extensive experience in government communications.
Neal served as press secretary for then-Rhode Island Governor Donald L.
Carcieri from January 2003 through June 2008. Before joining that office, he
served a combined five years in the press offices of the late U.S. Senator John
H. Chafee (R.I.) and then-U.S. Senator Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.), reaching the
position of press secretary before his transition to the R.I. governor's
office.
Neal earned a bachelor's degree in history from George Mason University
in 1993 and a master's degree in medieval history from Durham University
(United Kingdom) in 1996.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
