Following a national search process, President Karl Scholz has selected Carol Keese to serve as the University of Oregon’s new vice president for university communications and chief marketing officer.

“Carol is an accomplished marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience helping universities and health systems realize their strategic visions, build brand equity and generate value in support of their missions,” Scholz said in his message to faculty and staff.

Keese comes to the UO from the University of Virginia, where she has served in several leadership roles since 2014, including her current position as associate vice president for marketing and brand strategy. While at UVA, she provided significant communications support for milestones such as UVA’s bicentennial, the introduction of a new president, the launch of a new capital campaign and the development of UVA’s strategic plan.

Prior to her time at UVA, Keese was the vice president of marketing for Children’s National Health System. She also previously served in leadership roles at Johns Hopkins Medicine and the University of Virginia Health System. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

“I was especially impressed by Carol’s passion for higher education, her track record of team building and collaboration with colleagues, and her experience elevating and strengthening the academic and research reputations of the universities she has served,” Scholz said.

The president thanked the search committee members for their service and Keith Frazee for his leadership serving in the interim role.

Keese will begin her new position on Dec. 4.