University Communications

Our mission

University Communications aims to increase the understanding, recognition, and advocacy of UChicago’s impact as one of the world’s leading research universities. Our teams focus on building the University brand, enhancing and protecting its reputation, and engaging our University community.

Our teams

UChicago News Office

The UChicago News Office highlights how University scholars are shaping and defining fields and confronting the world’s most pressing problems. Through the UChicago News website and University homepage, it also tells the story of our unique community—from the transformative student experience to impactful initiatives and events across campus. University Communications collaborates with campus partners to produce content that demonstrates the global impact of the University.


Digital Communications

From websites to social media to podcasts, University Communications leads digital communications initiatives across campus. It leads the strategic planning for many social channels, and partners on website design and development with schools, divisions, and programs across campus. University Communications also manages the University of Chicago Podcast Network, which features shows on a breadth of topics—from business and economics to politics to the sciences to human rights issues.

Media Relations and Public Affairs

The media relations team works with University leadership, faculty, and communications partners across UChicago to broaden public understanding of the University and drive media engagement around research, key projects and initiatives. The public affairs team collaborates with UChicago leaders on proactive reputation planning, issues management, and institutional communications.


UChicago Creative

UChicago Creative’s team of filmmakers, graphic designers, copywriters, and brand strategists works with campus partners to tell the University’s unique story and protect and grow its brand and identity. UChicago Creative maintains the University’s identity guidelines, facilitates licensing requests, creates award-winning multimedia projects, and produces live webcasts for University events.


Internal Communications

The internal communications team oversees the strategies and channels to help keep members of the University community informed and connected. It collaborates closely with schools, divisions, and other units to ensure effective communication between the University and its units, helping support the University’s priorities and strategic goals. The team oversees the twice-monthly UChicago Citizen newsletter and the UChicago Intranet, both available to UChicago faculty and staff.

Leadership

  • Paul M. Rand

    Paul M. Rand

    Vice President for Communications

  • Ben Rissman

    Ben Rissman

    Associate Vice President, Chief Digital Marketing Officer

  • Jeremy Manier

    Jeremy Manier

    Associate Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs

  • Karen Grotto Square Headshot

    Karen Grotto

    Assistant Vice President, UChicago Creative

  • Katherine Ritchey

    Katherine Ritchey

    Assistant Vice President for Communications Strategy and Chief of Staff

  • Michael Drapa Square Headshot

    Michael Drapa

    Senior Director of News and Content

  • Katelyn Yoshimoto

    Katelyn Yoshimoto

    College Communications Director

  • Headshot of Melissa Sherwin

    Melissa Sherwin

    Director of Provost Communications

  • Micheline Pergande

    Micheline Pergande

    Internal Communications Director