Friends, 

As I begin my presidency I am working to organize Guilford’s existing resources to achieve a number of objectives that will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the College. It is clear to me that our ability to effectively tell the Guilford story to a wide range of constituents will have a major influence on our success in recruiting and retaining students and generating support for the College, among other goals.

This week I am announcing the consolidation of Guilford’s communications and marketing functions as a team under the leadership of Ty Buckner as Interim Vice President, effective immediately. Others in the Communications and Marketing group are Michael Crouch ’10/’12, Associate Director of Marketing, Robert Bell ’11, Assistant Director of Advancement Communications, and LaToya Marsh, Bryan Series Associate.

I expect that the consolidation of this talent, reporting to the President’s Office, will lead to better use of our resources for planning, decision-making, and action in service to the College.

My vision for this team is that it will: 

• Plan and implement a strategic approach to College communications and marketing that maximizes Guilford’s opportunities to develop and sustain positive and productive relationships with current and future students and families, current and retired faculty and staff, alumni and friends, corporate, nonprofit and academic leaders, and commercial and public media
• Ensure that all communications and marketing products and messages offer consistent, coherent, and authentic impressions of Guilford that build a compelling brand for the College and trust, engagement, and support among all constituencies
• Create and seize opportunities to cast a positive spotlight on Guilford before diverse and influential audiences in and out of academia
• Develop an understanding among Guilfordians of the purpose, practices, value, and impact of communications and marketing for Guilford and the role everyone plays as College ambassadors

The Communications and Marketing team will have key partnerships with Admission and Advancement in driving revenue goals in enrollment and philanthropy as well as strong working relationships with divisions across campus.

Many of you know members of the team already. Ty has been at Guilford since 2001 and has had leadership responsibilities in Advancement for many years, including as Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing from 2009-15, and most recently as AVP for Alumni and Constituent Engagement.

Michael is another long-term Guilfordian, having arrived in 2004, and is an alumnus who is well-known across campus for his versatility in design and project management.

Robert, who also earned a Guilford degree, is a writer and reporter with a long career in journalism who joined the College in August of last year. LaToya came back to Guilford in October (she was on staff for a short time before) to work with the Bryan Series, having experience in marketing, customer service, and management.

In the coming weeks, our Communications and Marketing team will organize itself as a new unit on campus while maintaining existing commitments to work with Admission and Advancement, in particular, while expanding its attention to other areas.

We have many opportunities to work together to tell the Guilford story and chart the course for the College’s future. I look forward to the collective effort that will generate ideas and action ensuring our success.

Sincerely,
Kyle Farmbry
President