Dear Colleagues,
I write today to announce the launch of searches for two leadership roles at GW: Vice President for External Relations and Vice President and Chief Information/Technology Officer (CITO). These searches accompany organizational changes designed to strengthen how we advance the university’s priorities, support our community, and coordinate our work. Both positions will report directly to me and serve as members of the President’s Cabinet.
We are creating an expanded External Relations division that brings together the Office of Communications and Marketing, including university communications and university marketing, and the Office of Government and Community Relations, including federal relations and DMV/neighborhood relations. This alignment reflects the close relationship between how we communicate, represent the university’s interests, and engage with our neighbors and external partners.
Our next external relations leader will strengthen GW’s reputation and relationships while building the systems and practices needed for proactive communication and coordinated execution. Working with deans and fellow university leaders, this vice president will also capitalize on our location in the nation’s capital to help position GW as a leading convener of ideas, scholarship, innovation, and civic dialogue.
We are also elevating the Chief Information/Technology Officer role to a vice presidency, reporting to me with a secondary reporting line to the provost, bringing technology leadership directly into the university’s senior strategic planning and decision-making. These changes in title and reporting line recognize technology’s central role in teaching, learning, research, and university operations, as well as the growing opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.
Our next technology leader will work closely with academic and administrative colleagues to guide modernization, support responsible innovation, and ensure that our systems and services are secure, reliable, accessible, and responsive to the university community. This vice president will strengthen technology planning and project delivery, helping us make sustainable investments that improve the daily experience of students, faculty, and staff.
For both positions, we seek collaborative leaders who combine strategic judgment with disciplined execution. They will be expected to foster effective teams, establish clear priorities and accountability, and ensure that university leaders receive timely information about emerging issues, risks, and opportunities.
We have engaged the firm Spencer Stuart to support both searches, with Ponneh Varho and Ellen Pennow supporting the External Relations search, and John Milman and Ellen supporting the CITO search.
The External Relations search advisory committee will be co-chaired by Ed Balleisen, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Peter Loge, Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs, with the following members:
- Alyssa Ayres, Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs
- John Carfagno, Director, Communications and Marketing (SMHS)
- Lindsey Duble-Dice, Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Awards (CCAS)
- Johan Ferreira, Department Chair and Teaching Associate Professor of Marketing (GWSB)
- Shaista Khilji, Department Chair and Professor, Human and Organizational Learning and International Affairs (GSEHD)
- Michael Lipitz, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics
- Renee McPhatter, Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations
- Scott Mory, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff
- Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Executive Director, Graduate School of Political Management
- Jennifer Park Stout, University Trustee
- Michelle Rubin, University Trustee
- Marko Sánchez, Undergraduate Student (CCAS)
- Michelle Stone, Associate Vice President for Communications
- Julie Zito, Associate Vice President for Marketing
Nominations for the Vice President for External Relations may be submitted through GWVPER
SpencerStuart [dot] com (GWVPER[at]SpencerStuart[dot]com).
The CITO search advisory committee will be co-chaired by Bruno Fernandes, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and John Lach, Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, with the following members:
- Neena Ali, Associate Vice President and University Controller
- Kevin Brown, University Trustee
- Katie Cloud, University Registrar
- Jay Goff, Vice President and Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success
- Eric Grynaviski, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs (CCAS)
- Jared Johnson, Associate Vice President, Academic Technology and Customer Experience
- Gina Lohr, Senior Associate Vice Provost for Research and Administrative Dean, Virginia Science and Technology Campus
- Jennifer Lopez, Associate Vice President, Total Rewards
- Karen McDonnell, Associate Professor of Prevention and Community Health (GWSPH)
- Ruxandra Nicolae, M.D. Candidate (SMHS)
- Marcela Pierre, Undergraduate Student (GWSB)
- Ryan Salandy, Web Lead (SEAS)
Nominations for the Vice President and Chief Information/Technology Officer may be submitted through GWVPCITOSpencerStuart [dot] com (GWVPCITO[at]SpencerStuart[dot]com).
I want to thank our search committee members in advance for their service. They will be crucial partners in identifying and evaluating candidates. Many of you will also be aware of outstanding leaders who should be considered, and I encourage you to nominate candidates for these important roles. I look forward to welcoming two leaders who will work with colleagues across GW to advance our mission and strengthen the university.
Warm regards,
Ellen M. Granberg
President