Auburn University promotes Jennifer Adams to vice president for public affairs, communication and marketing

Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts announced today he has promoted Jennifer Wood Adams to the role of vice president for public affairs, communication and marketing.

Adams, whose appointment begins July 1, has served as the executive director for public affairs and executive communication in the Office of the President since March 2021. She has 30 years of higher education, communication, public relations, marketing and administrative experience. In this new structure, Adams will continue to serve as the university’s public affairs executive and university spokesperson while adding the responsibilities of the Office of Communications and Marketing to her portfolio.

“The Office of Communication and Marketing will report to the Office of the President in order to better align Auburn’s communications strategy with the university’s institutional priorities,” Roberts said. “This transition offers an opportunity to reimagine our centralized communications structure in support of the Grounded & Groundbreaking Strategic Plan. Dr. Adams possesses extensive knowledge and a broad range of expertise in these critical areas, and I couldn’t be more pleased to further leverage her experience for Auburn’s benefit.”

Prior to working in the Office of the President, Adams was the director of Auburn’s School of Communication and Journalism from 2013-21 and served as journalism program director from 2010-13. She joined Auburn in 2005 and is a tenured associate professor of journalism.

Adams earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in journalism and mass communications from the University of South Carolina. She graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s in journalism and political science.

“I am truly humbled and appreciative to continue working with President Roberts while serving the Auburn University community in this new capacity,” Adams said. “I look forward to collaborating with OCM and our campus partners to meet President Roberts’ goals of raising the university’s profile, enhancing our brand and sharing Auburn’s impact in ways that connect and inspire.”

Previously, Adams was an assistant professor of journalism at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, a senior project manager at a marketing firm in Kansas City, Missouri, and worked as a reporter and editor for publications in South Carolina, Indiana, Oregon and West Virginia.