Located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, Mount Holyoke College is a highly selective, nondenominational, residential, research liberal arts college for women that is gender diverse and welcomes applications from female, transgender and non-binary students. Mount Holyoke is renowned for educating women leaders, from medical pioneers to Pulitzer Prize–winning playwrights. Forged in dissent in 1837, and as the first of the Seven Sister colleges, Mount Holyoke paved the way for generations — breaking barriers, creating access and championing inclusion for women and others marginalized on the basis of gender. Today, students are immersed in a vibrant, intellectually adventurous community that empowers them to develop their voices and visions for a more equitable future.

Enter through the Gates and you’ll quickly understand why Mount Holyoke’s 700-acre campus is consistently named one of the nation’s most beautiful. From elegant buildings to inspiring scenery, it’s a place designed to bring people together and spark curiosity. But it is the close-knit community, fun and inclusive traditions and welcoming atmosphere that really explain why campus is so full of life — and more than a few friendly faces.

Located in one of New England’s most vibrant and picturesque regions, Mount Holyoke is within easy reach of three other prominent colleges and a flagship research university, forming the Five College Consortium — providing a great way to forge academic and social connections within the Gates and out in the community.

President Danielle R. Holley will enter her third year leading Mount Holyoke College in 2025. A distinguished legal scholar and nationally recognized thought leader in higher education, President Holley’s expertise on education, civil rights, and the Supreme Court is frequently sought by major media outlets such as NBC, CNN, and The Boston Globe. She brings a deep commitment to equity, excellence, and the liberal arts, informed by her experience as the former dean of Howard University School of Law and her leadership roles with the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the American Council on Education. A Yale graduate and Harvard-trained legal expert, she is also an Aspen Institute Liberty Fellow and a member of the Aspen-Kern Program on Leadership and Character in Higher Education. Her dynamic, nationally engaged leadership makes this an extraordinary moment to join Mount Holyoke’s senior leadership team.

Title

Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Reports to

President Danielle Holley

Opportunity Proposition

As a member of the President’s senior team, you will join Mount Holyoke College at a particularly exciting inflection point. Under the leadership of President Danielle Holley, Mount Holyoke launched MHC Forward in 2024, an exciting next step in its trailblazing legacy. This strategic plan, shaped by students, staff, faculty, alums, trustees and friends, sets forth an ambitious agenda for the next decade. Building upon Mount Holyoke’s success, MHC Forward elevates four key priorities:

 - advancing innovation and inclusive academic excellence

 - enhancing student experience on and off campus

 - strengthening infrastructure for long-term success

 - growing resources for a thriving future

This far-reaching plan provides a framework for the new Vice President for Marketing and Communications to achieve objectives like driving recruitment, enhancing reputation, and supporting development while moving the College forward into its next era of educating bold and boundless leaders.

Principal Responsibilities

The Vice President for Marketing and Communications will serve as a key advisor, strategist, and leader in shaping and advancing Mount Holyoke College’s future. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President will lead a team of marketing and communications professionals in developing and executing an integrated and well-coordinated strategy that aligns with the College’s strategic plan, MHC Forward. In collaboration with partners across the institution—particularly the President’s Office, Admission, and College Relations—the Vice President will deploy cross-functional resources to support the College’s goals of advancing academic excellence, enhancing student experience, strengthening infrastructure, and growing resources for long-term success.

The Vice President will immerse themselves in the life of the College, building trust and strong relationships with leadership, faculty, staff, and students to gain a deep understanding of Mount Holyoke’s distinctive history, culture, and aspirations. By engaging stakeholders across campus, the Vice President will develop strategic marketing and communications plans that amplify the institution’s strengths and support its mission. This position will serve as a strategic advisor to the President, senior team, Board of Trustees, and broader community.

Providing leadership, coaching, and management for the marketing and communications team, the Vice President will strengthen the group’s capabilities, ensuring accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness in achieving strategic objectives.

Evaluating and evolving Mount Holyoke College’s brand identity in alignment with the College’s strategic vision will be a key priority for this leader. They will assess the current brand positioning to determine opportunities for refinement, clarification, or repositioning, and shape a compelling brand framework, including messaging architecture, that enhances MHC’s reputation and visibility. Central to this effort will be fostering strong partnerships across all stakeholders to ensure an effective brand presence.

The Vice President will partner closely with the Office of Admission to enhance marketing initiatives that support student recruitment, leveraging data-driven insights, brand positioning, and multi-channel campaigns to drive engagement and enrollment growth.

Additionally, they will oversee the development and execution of integrated communications strategies, including in support of the upcoming comprehensive capital campaign and ongoing alum relations. Other relevant areas of focus will include digital engagement, media relations, crisis communications, executive thought leadership, and internal communications, ensuring a compelling and cohesive institutional voice.

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To formally apply, please complete the form below and attach your resume and cover letter.