Interim leadership announced for University Marketing and Communications

Central Michigan University President Neil MacKinnon has announced interim leadership for University Marketing and Communications following the departure of Harlan Teller last month. Abby Dean, deputy chief marketing officer, and Ari Harris, executive director of strategic communications, will support the unit as co-leads while a decision about a national search for the next leader of University Marketing and Communications is considered.

Dean, a graduate of CMU, joined the University Marketing and Communications team in February 2019 as the director of integrated marketing. In her current role as deputy chief marketing officer, she leads the Integrated Marketing, Digital Strategy and Creative Media teams in the development of dynamic marketing and media campaigns, and partners closely with units across the university to drive enrollment growth and engagement

Harris joined CMU in December 2017 as an assistant director of communications and now leads the strategic communications team, which includes News and Media Relations, Executive Communications, and Social Media. Her team oversees the university's public relations efforts, amplifies internal and external news and storytelling, coordinates executive communications, drives strategy for CMU’s presence on numerous social media platforms, and supports campus partners in honing their communications skills

“Abby and Ari are exceptional leaders whose expertise, creativity, and deep understanding of our university make them uniquely suited to guide this work,” MacKinnon said. “I am excited to partner with them in this interim capacity and am grateful for the experience, perspective, and energy they bring to our marketing and communications efforts.