University Names Joseph A. Brennan, PhD, Vice President for Communications and Marketing

Montclair State University has appointed Joseph A. Brennan, PhD, as its Vice President for Communications and Marketing, effective January 2, 2019.

In the newly created position, Brennan will exercise a critical leadership role as the chief communications and marketing strategist for the University and will oversee all aspects of Montclair State’s efforts in messaging, branding, advertising, public and media relations, publications and creative services, digital and social media strategies, and crisis communications.

A professional with more than 30 years of higher education experience, Brennan served most recently as vice president for communications and marketing at the University at Albany, SUNY. His previous positions included vice president for strategic communications at the University of Iowa and associate vice president for university communications at the University at Buffalo, SUNY.

As a chief communications and marketing officer, Brennan has designed and directed highly successful marketing and public relations initiatives, has won national awards for most improved university website and best college or university public relations campaign, and has a strong background in emergency management communications. Brennan is a national thought leader, speaker, mentor and consultant in the field of higher education communications and marketing.

“Dr. Brennan brings exceptional experience to the University and a deep understanding of the needs of a large public university with an advancing mission in today’s complex environment,” says Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole. “He is the ideal person to lead the communications and marketing area forward into the next phase of its development and service to the institution.”

“I am tremendously excited to be joining Montclair State University,” says Brennan. “It’s an amazing institution with strong academic and co-curricular programs, ambitious students, outstanding faculty and staff, and loyal alumni. Montclair State has built considerable momentum over the years, and is poised to ascend to the next level.”

Brennan joins Montclair State University at an important moment in the institution’s 110-year history, with its recent designations as a New Jersey Public Research University and as a Research Doctoral University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and as it launches the public phase of its comprehensive fundraising campaign, Soar, The Campaign for Montclair State University. To date, the University has raised more than $61 million of its $75 million goal, making it the largest fundraising effort in the institution’s history.

“I’m looking forward to joining President Cole’s leadership team and working closely with the talented professionals in the University’s marketing and communications division and throughout the University to tell Montclair State’s story throughout the state, across the nation and around the world,” says Brennan.

Brennan earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Pacific, and a PhD in English from the University at Buffalo. In addition to his designation as a Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Fellow, Brennan holds the Accredited in Public Relations certification from PRSA. He is also a member of several professional associations, including the American Marketing Association and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Higher Education.